The mission of the delegates is to create a platform for MDAs and other citizens to be sensitized about the importance of the Pan African Reserve Protocol and why its needs an urgent ratification.
The ratification process is being serially conducted in other countries across Africa with wider advocacy and consultation, targeting 28 countries to ratify it by the end of 2016.
Mali is the only African country that has signed and ratified the protocol. The purpose of the ratification is to transform the Pan African Parliament from an Advisory Body to a Legislative Body.
Speaking during the courtesy visit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Minority Leader of Parliament, Hon. Dr. Bernadette Lahai, who doubles as Vice President of the Pan-African Parliament said it was timely for the document to be ratified.
According to Her Excellency, the Vice President, Sierra Leone is a very important member of the Pan-African Parliament and the parliament is one of the vibrant organs of the African Unity.
She went on to disclose that Pan-African Parliament came into being to foster peace and integration in the African continent at all levels.
She said the Pan-African Parliament was initially adopted as an Advisory Body but as recent as today the renaissance for a legislative power has overwhelmed the concept. She disclosed that the protocol will only come into being after the ratification of the revised document by 28 countries.
Giving a brief background of the Protocol, the Head of Library and Research of the Pan-African Parliament, Jan Jalloh said a serial advocacy is ongoing in other African countries.
He informed that the Pan-African Parliament has advocacy and oversight functions but there has been an urgent need for the Parliament to now adopt a legislative function.
According to him, he came to Sierra Leone to represent the President of the Pan-African Parliament. He said the mission of the advocacy on the new protocol is to share the ideas with all African countries in order to ratify the document.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Dr. Ebun Strasser-King, said they were concerned and will give support. She assured the delegation that they will ratify the document.
During another courtesy call on the Attorney General& Minister of Justice, Mr. Frank Kargbo, he said they will examine the document and try to see how the protocol can be ratified.
Other Sierra Leonean Pan-African Members of Parliament including Hon. Isata Kabia, Hon. Claude Kamanda, Hon. Sulaiman Sesay, Hon. P. C Bai Kurr Kanagbaro Sanka III also made meaningful contributions on the protocol.
