Anti-Corruption Commitments and Achievements: 25 Critical Questions on the SLPP’s 2018 Manifesto

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SLL

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June 23, 2023

SLL Audio News

Anti-Corruption Commitments and Achievements: 25 Critical Questions on the SLPP's 2018 Manifesto

00:00 / 7:15

Anti-Corruption Commitments and Achievements: 25 Critical Questions on the SLPP’s 2018 Manifesto

By the Sierra Leone Live Team

We invite you to take part in an important evaluation of our government’s commitments and actions against corruption. The Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) has made several pledges in its 2018 “New Direction” manifesto, many of which focused on the critical issue of combating corruption and enhancing accountability. As the stewards of our nation, it is our responsibility to assess the extent to which they have fulfilled these promises.

To aid in this review, we have created 25 yes-or-no questions based directly on the commitments made in the 2018 manifesto. These questions, designed to spark reflection and discussion, will provide a structured way to measure the government’s progress in these areas. By engaging with these questions, you will help create a comprehensive evaluation of our government’s efforts against corruption, giving us a clear picture of the successes and areas that may need more attention.

Anti-Corruption Act (ACC) and Constitution Review:

Manifesto Quote: “Review within the first 100 days the ACC Act to include the publication of all assets declaration forms of all public officials before they take office and upon leaving office.”

Was the ACC Act reviewed within the first 100 days as pledged?
Were the asset declaration forms of all public officials published before they took office?
Were the asset declaration forms of all public officials published upon their departure from office?

Manifesto Quote: “Review the relevant provisions of the Constitution of Sierra Leone 1991 (including Section 119 in particular) and the ACC Act to strengthen the ACC’s investigative and prosecutorial mandate…”

Was the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone reviewed, particularly Section 119, to strengthen the ACC’s mandate?
Were the ACC’s investigative and prosecutorial mandates strengthened?

Systems and Framework Development:

Manifesto Quote: “Develop value systems and implement a robust merit and reward system in public and private life.”

Was a robust merit and reward system developed and implemented in public and private life?
Were value systems developed as promised?

Manifesto Quote: “Adopt a new framework to ensure accountability and transparency in the public sector…”

Was a new framework adopted to enhance accountability and transparency in the public sector?
Was the National Public Sector Transparency and Accountability Initiative (NAPSTAI) established?

Manifesto Quote: “Set up a system for planning, monitoring, and reporting on Development Results referred to as Results-Based Management (RBM) wherein development targets will be set at the start of each year…”

Was a Results-Based Management (RBM) system set up?
Were annual development targets set as part of RBM?

Corruption Categorization and Penalties:

Manifesto Quote: “Categorize corruption and measure it in terms of its economic costs to the nation such as low, medium, high, and very serious, in a manner that attracts harsher and stiffer penalties for more serious infractions.”

Was corruption categorized as low, medium, high, or very serious?
Were harsher penalties implemented for more serious infractions?

Implementation of Recommendations and Acts:

Manifesto Quote: “Ensure the full implementation of all recommendations in annual audits of the ASSL and of Ministries, departments, and Agencies.”

Were all recommendations in the annual audits of the ASSL and of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies fully implemented?

Manifesto Quote: “Commit to adhering to and implementing the Access to Information Act to deepen the fight against corruption.”

Was the Access to Information Act implemented to deepen the fight against corruption?

Support for CSOs and Inter-agency Cooperation:

Manifesto Quote: “Provide support to CSOs to enhance their capacity to prepare shadow reports on issues of transparency and corruption.”

Were CSOs supported to enhance their capacity to prepare appropriate shadow reports?

Manifesto Quote: “Enhance inter-agency cooperation at the local and national government levels to prevent, detect, and punish corrupt practices.”

Was inter-agency cooperation enhanced to prevent, detect, and punish corrupt practices?

Public Accountability and Conduct:

Manifesto Quote: “Improve social accountability, in which public officials and non-state actors will give an account of their stewardship.”

Was social accountability improved with public officials and non-state actors giving accounts of their stewardship?

Manifesto Quote: “Popularize and enforce a comprehensive code of conduct for public officials to regulate their conduct whilst in public office.”

Was a comprehensive code of conduct for public officials popularized and enforced?

Public Expenditure Tracking and Judicial Specialization:

Manifesto Quote: “Strengthen Public Expenditure Tracking Survey (PETS), District Budget Oversight (DBO) by Citizens.”

Was the Public Expenditure Tracking Survey (PETS) strengthened?
Was District Budget Oversight (DBO) by citizens enhanced?

Manifesto Quote: “Establish a special anti-corruption division in the High Court to promote judicial specialization and expeditious trial of corruption cases.”

Was a special anti-corruption division established in the High Court?
Were corruption cases tried more expeditiously because of the establishment of this division?

Leadership Commitment:

Manifesto Quote: “Commit the political leadership to lead in the fight against corruption.”

Were political leaders committed to leading the fight against corruption?
Was any concrete action taken by the leadership to fight corruption?

Your participation is crucial in this endeavor, and we express our deepest gratitude for your time and commitment. Ensuring accountability and fighting corruption requires a collective effort, and citizen engagement is the cornerstone of this fight. By answering these questions, you are directly contributing to the ongoing work of creating a more transparent, accountable, and corruption-free Sierra Leone. Thank you for taking an active role in shaping the future of our beloved nation. We look forward to your thoughtful and insightful responses.

Please take the Survey
https://sierraleonelive.com/survey/f8d4f4d7-887d-4175-b2da-88f81b1dd25f/

Improving Management of Marine Resources: A Comparative Report on the SLPP’s 2018 Manifesto Commitments and Achievements

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SLL

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June 22, 2023

SLL Audio News

Improving Management of Marine Resources: A Comparative Report on the SLPP's 2018 Manifesto Commitments and Achievements

00:00 / 6:29

Improving Management of Marine Resources: A Comparative Report on the SLPP’s 2018 Manifesto Commitments and Achievements

By the Sierra Leone Live Team

Welcome to Sierra Leone Live’s comprehensive analysis and comparison of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) “Improving Management of Marine Resources” commitments as outlined in their 2018 “New Direction” manifesto. This exercise forms part of our broader campaign aimed at measuring the extent to which the SLPP fulfilled its election promises and assessing the effectiveness of its leadership over the last five years.

In this analysis, we will dissect the manifesto’s key objectives in managing marine resources, juxtapose them with the achievements documented after five years, and provide an unbiased view of the party’s performance in this sector. To make this interactive and promote civic engagement, Sierra Leone Live will provide 25 questions alongside the analysis. This will help you, the citizens of Sierra Leone, critically evaluate the performance of the SLPP and decide if they have met their 2018 manifesto targets.

Good Governance and Sustainable Management of the Fisheries

Manifesto: The manifesto outlined plans for strengthening the policy and regulatory framework of fisheries. This included revising existing fisheries policies, developing a strategic action plan, and conducting institutional and management reviews. It also focused on registering all fishing vessels and improving the data collection system.

Achievement: The government achieved several of these goals. It enacted the Fisheries and Regulations Act 2021 and developed the Aquaculture and Inland Fisheries and Regulatory Framework. The surveillance of the country’s waters improved, along with the enhancement of the fishing license scheme. A comprehensive fish stock assessment was also carried out. Thus, these accomplishments show a high level of adherence to the manifesto goals.

Reduction of Illegal Fishing

Manifesto: The Manifesto is aimed at establishing a legal and regulatory environment for combating illegal fishing and revitalizing the Joint Maritime Committee (JMC).

Achievement: The improved monitoring and surveillance systems and enhanced fisheries license scheme both contribute to the reduction in illegal fishing. They made no specific mention of the JMC in the achievement report.

Improved Handling of Fish and Fisheries Products

Manifesto: The manifesto included constructing fish landing site clusters, building or rehabilitating existing landing sites, training on hygiene practices, rehabilitation of laboratories, strengthening export capacities, and facilitating the establishment of micro-credit facilities for women engaged in fisheries.

Achievement: Five cold rooms were constructed in different districts, and solar-powered cold room facilities were built in key fishing communities, improving fish handling and quality. However, the achievements document does not explicitly mention training on hygiene practices, rehabilitation of laboratories, or facilitation of micro-credit facilities for women in fisheries, showing areas of unfulfilled commitments.

Aquaculture Development

Manifesto: The manifesto aimed at developing a regulatory framework for sustainable aquaculture, constructing pilot hatchery stations, developing a business model and market analyses for feed production and farming technology, and identifying linkages between wild fisheries and aquaculture.

Achievement: The government developed six commercial fish farms across the country, signifying some progress in aquaculture development. However, it is not clear if the manifesto’s specific goals regarding the development of a regulatory framework, hatchery stations, business models, and analyses were achieved.

Additional Achievements not specifically outlined in the manifesto but included in the report:

The sector’s contribution to GDP increased from 8% in 2018 to 12% in 2023, signifying the growing importance of fisheries in the country’s economy.
A $55 million grant was secured from the Chinese Government to construct a fish harbour and ancillary structures in the Black Johnson, Western Area Peninsular.

The SLPP appears to have made significant progress in the areas of policy and legislative framework, surveillance, and infrastructure development. However, some manifesto commitments, particularly around training, rehabilitation of laboratories, and facilitating microcredit for women in fisheries, are not clearly reported as achievements. The government has also made progress in areas not explicitly stated in the manifesto, such as securing external funding and growing the fisheries’ contribution to the GDP. It’s also worth noting that the COVID-19 pandemic may have affected the realization of some goals.

We have now come to the end of our analysis of the “Improving Management of Marine Resources” section of the SLPP’s 2018 manifesto. As Sierra Leone Live, we hope this has provided you with insightful, transparent, and useful information to assess the performance of the SLPP over the past five years in this sector.

We appreciate your time and commitment to engaging with this process. An informed citizenry forms the backbone of a thriving democracy. We urge you to examine the 25-question survey provided in a separate post to further interact with this analysis and express your opinions.

Thank you for your continued trust in Sierra Leone Live as your reliable source of balanced and accurate information. Together, we contribute to the prosperity and democratic health of our beloved nation, Sierra Leone.

Here are the 25 Questions
https://sierraleonelive.com/improving-management-of-marine-resources-25-key-questions-assessing-the-fulfillment-of-the-slpps-2018-manifesto-commitments/

Improving Management of Marine Resources: 25 Key Questions Assessing the Fulfillment of the SLPP’s 2018 Manifesto Commitments

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SLL

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June 22, 2023

SLL Audio News

Improving Management of Marine Resources: 25 Key Questions Assessing the Fulfillment of the SLPP's 2018 Manifesto Commitments

00:00 / 4:33

Improving Management of Marine Resources: 25 Key Questions Assessing the Fulfillment of the SLPP’s 2018 Manifesto Commitments

By the Sierra Leone Live Team

Welcome to Sierra Leone Live’s interactive segment on the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) “Improving Management of Marine Resources” commitments from their 2018 “New Direction” manifesto. To assist you, our esteemed citizens, in evaluating the SLPP’s fulfillment of its pledges, we have curated a set of 25 “Yes” or “No” questions. We structure these inquiries to assess each promise made by the SLPP in 2018, thus summarizing the progress made in managing marine resources.

Your involvement in this process is critical, as it enhances democratic accountability, encourages transparency, and fosters a government that responds to the people. Please take the time to answer each question based on your knowledge, perception, and experiences over the last five years.

Good Governance and Sustainable Management of Fisheries

Was the existing fisheries policy revised and the fisheries and aquaculture legislation completed?
Was a Strategic Action Plan developed to implement the policy?
Were the institutional and management reviews of the MFMR conducted?
Was a web-based database of all industrial fishing fleets developed?
Were surveys and systematic registrations of all artisanal canoes conducted?
Was the MFMR data collection system enhanced?
Was the research institute (IMBO) enhanced?
Were periodic indirect surveys of key fish stocks (Pelagic and demersal) conducted?
Were all fisheries management information, such as revenues, license fees, vessels committing infractions, fines paid by vessels, etc., made public for transparency?
Were Management Plans prepared and implemented that set levels of sustainable exploitation for targeted fisheries and created rights and allocation mechanisms for such fisheries?
Were community-led management systems introduced at the community level?
Were inclusive communication strategies developed to inform the public about the government’s vision and development programs for the fisheries sector?

Reduction of Illegal Fishing

Was an enabling legal and regulatory environment established for combating illegal fishing?
Was the Joint Maritime Committee (JMC) revitalized?
Were effective and sustainable surveillance systems implemented?

Improved Handling of Fish and Fisheries Products

Were fish landing site clusters constructed?
Were Fish Harbours with solar-powered cold chain facilities constructed?
Was there construction or rehabilitation of existing landing sites?
Was training on basic hygiene practices and sanitary operating procedures conducted?
Were existing laboratories for fish quality rehabilitated, and did they support accreditation to certify fish and fisheries products for export to the EU and other foreign destinations?
Was the capacity of the competent authority to certify fish and fisheries products for export strengthened?
Were there training and demonstrations on new smoking and drying technologies?
Was there facilitation of the establishment of microcredit facilities for women engaged in fisheries?

Aquaculture Development

Was a policy and regulatory framework for sustainable aquaculture developed?
Were pilot hatchery stations constructed to produce fingerlings in pre-determined locations?

We would like to express our sincere gratitude for your time and involvement in this process. Your active participation in answering these questions provides invaluable insight into our ongoing assessment of the government’s performance. Each response contributes to the larger dialogue about our nation’s direction and progress. Thank you for your commitment to fostering an informed and engaged citizenry in Sierra Leone. Together, we are shaping the future of our beloved nation.

Please take the Survey

https://sierraleonelive.com/survey/7fcabea9-43f9-4ac5-9148-cd19e2b90f23/

Telecommunication Transformation in Sierra Leone: A Comparative Analysis of the SLPP’s 2018 Manifesto Commitments and Five-Year Achievements on Improving Communication Technology

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SLL

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June 21, 2023

SLL Audio News

Telecommunication Transformation in Sierra Leone: A Comparative Analysis of the SLPP's 2018 Manifesto Commitments and Five-Year Achievements on Improving Communication Technology

00:00 / 8:12

Telecommunication Transformation in Sierra Leone: A Comparative Analysis of the SLPP’s 2018 Manifesto Commitments and Five-Year Achievements on Improving Communication Technology

By the Sierra Leone Live Team

Welcome to this comprehensive review and comparison of the New Direction’s 2018 manifesto and the achievements reported by the SLPP government over the last five years. Our focus today is on one of the key components of the manifesto: Improving Communication Technology. As we all know, advancements in this sector play a pivotal role in the nation’s socio-economic growth, touching every aspect of our lives from governance to education, from business operations to healthcare, and from social connectivity to entertainment.

In Sierra Leone, the SLPP made a promise in 2018 to catalyse such advancements and create a digital revolution that benefits all citizens. Now, five years down the line, it’s time for us to evaluate the progress made, the promises kept, and those that may have fallen by the wayside. We will dive into the specifics of these pledges and their corresponding actions, highlighting key areas of development and pointing out where there might still be work to be done.

As part of this process, Sierra Leone Live will also provide 25 carefully curated questions in a separate post. These questions will serve as a tool for each of us to personally evaluate whether the SLPP government has lived up to its promises. Your participation and views matter because they design these policies and advancements to impact you.

Telecommunications and Digital Infrastructure

Manifesto: The manifesto places emphasis on improving telephony and communication services, including increasing broadband access and liberalising the sector.

Achievements: The government extended the National Fibre Backbone to five additional districts, creating the infrastructure for improved communication services and showing the fulfillment of the promise for better telecommunication services. However, the achievements document does not mention the liberalisation of the sector, an aspect included in the manifesto.

Regulatory Bodies

Manifesto: Promised to de-politicise NATCOM (the National Telecommunications Commission) to improve its efficiency.

Achievements: The document does not mention any specific action taken towards the de-politicization of NATCOM, so it’s unclear if this goal has been achieved.

Electronic Governance System

Manifesto: Included the introduction of an electronic governance system.

Achievements: This pledge seems to have been fulfilled as the government introduced an e-Cabinet during COVID, rolled out a time and attendance management system to 24 MDAs, and developed e-passes during lockdowns, contributing to a more digital governance system.

Access to ICT

Manifesto: Promised to increase public access to all aspects of ICT.

Achievements: The number of internet users increased significantly, from 307,000 in 2017 to 2.67 million in 2022, showing significant strides towards this goal. However, it’s not clear if these improvements were equally distributed, particularly among the rural poor, as the manifesto promised.

Education and ICT Skills Development

Manifesto: Emphasized the provision of computer training and facilities in public libraries, schools, and colleges, as well as the encouragement of science teaching.

Achievements: The document does not mention any direct achievements related to these points. However, the establishment of the Director of Science, Technology, and Innovation might support these goals, depending on the Director’s role and initiatives.

Security of Information

Manifesto: Advocated for the establishment of digital storage centres and backup services to secure government documents.

Achievements: The government enacted the Cybercrime Act of 2021, providing legal backing for digital security. However, there is no explicit mention of the creation of digital storage centres or backup services for government documents.

Policy and Legal Framework

Manifesto: While there was no explicit mention of updating policies or laws in the manifesto, the emphasis on liberalizing the sector and creating an enabling business environment suggested policy and legal adjustments.

Achievements: The New Direction Government enacted the Cybercrime Act of 2021 and the New Communications Act of 2022, aligning with the original manifesto’s indirect implications. Also, a national digital development policy was developed, which may further drive the sector’s growth.

Community Radio Stations

Manifesto: Promised to increase the establishment of community radio stations.

Achievements: The document does not provide information related to this point, making it difficult to assess the achievement of this goal.

Broadband Access

Manifesto: The party aimed to enhance broadband access across the country.

Achievements: The extension of the National Fibre Backbone can be seen as a step towards achieving this goal, but the report does not explicitly discuss broadband access.

While there were several accomplishments over the five years, fulfillment of the New Direction’s manifesto promises seems mixed. Some pledges, such as improving communication technology and implementing electronic governance, were realized, while others, such as de-politicizing NATCOM and increasing computer education, were not explicitly mentioned in the achievements document. There are achievements like enacting cybercrime and communication acts that were not in the manifesto but contribute to improving the ICT sector in the country.

However, without detailed data or additional context, it’s challenging to comprehensively evaluate the performance or the extent to which these achievements have impacted the population, especially groups like the rural poor.

We have now completed our review and comparison of the SLPP government’s 2018 manifesto with the reported achievements in Communication Technology over the past five years. Your engagement in this process is not only welcomed but also crucial, as it helps hold our government accountable and foster transparency.

We understand that fully absorbing this information and making an informed judgment might require some time. That’s why we encourage you to revisit the points discussed and look at our survey, comprising 25 questions, in a separate post. This will further aid you in assessing whether the SLPP has met its 2018 manifesto targets.

Remember, your insights, your voice, and your perspectives matter. They play a crucial role in shaping the future of Sierra Leone. So, we thank you for taking the time to delve into this analysis and for your forthcoming participation in the survey.

Together, we can continue to ensure that they keep the promises made.

Here are the 25 Questions
https://sierraleonelive.com/improve-communication-technology-in-sierra-leone-25-essential-questions-on-the-slpps-2018-commitments/

Improve Communication Technology in Sierra Leone: 25 Essential Questions on the SLPP’s 2018 Commitments

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SLL

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June 21, 2023

Sierra Leone Live Podcast

Improve Communication Technology in Sierra Leone: 25 Essential Questions on the SLPP's 2018 Commitments

00:00 / 5:54

Improve Communication Technology in Sierra Leone: 25 Essential Questions on the SLPP’s 2018 Commitments

By the Sierra Leone Live Team

Today, we invite you to engage in an exercise of democratic accountability and transparency. It’s time to assess the fulfilment of promises that were made to us under the New Direction of the SLPP government in 2018, specifically concerning Improving Communication Technology.

In an era of rapid technological advancements, effective communication technology plays a critical role in our nation’s development, touching various aspects of our lives, from education to governance, business, and personal connectivity. Five years ago, the SLPP presented us with a manifesto, promising significant improvements in this sector. Now, it’s time to evaluate how well it delivered these promises.

We have prepared 25 questions, categorized under different sections of the manifesto. These “yes” or “no” questions will guide you through various aspects of the promises made and help you gauge the effectiveness of their implementation. We urge you to answer these questions to the best of your knowledge and observation.

Telecommunications and Communication Services

Manifesto quote: “Under the New Direction, the next SLPP Government will ensure that telephony and communications services are improved.”

Was there an improvement in telephony and communication services under the SLPP government?
Was there a significant contribution to the country’s communication development?
Were communication services made affordable for all citizens?

Regulatory Bodies

Manifesto quote: “De-politicise NATCOM to enable it to carry out its functions efficiently and effectively.”

Was NATCOM de-politicised during the SLPP’s tenure?
Were there visible improvements in NATCOM’s efficiency and effectiveness?

Sector Liberalization and Regulation

Manifesto quote: “Forge ahead with liberalising the sector, providing good regulation, and the enabling business environment to spur the sector forward.”

Was the communication sector liberalised under the SLPP government?
Were there noticeable improvements in the regulation of the communication sector?

Electronic Governance

Manifesto quote: “Establish an Electronic Governance system to manage government business electronically.”

Was an Electronic Governance system established during the SLPP’s tenure?
Were government operations managed electronically to a considerable extent?

Public Access to ICT

Manifesto quote: “Increase access by the public, particularly the rural poor, to all aspects of ICT.”

Was there an increase in public access to ICT under the SLPP government?
Were measures taken to increase ICT access for the rural poor?
Were computer training and facilities established in Public Libraries, schools, and colleges?

Security of Information

Manifesto quote: “Protect legal documents by establishment of digital storage centres at remote locations.”

Were digital storage centres established at remote locations?
Were health records, land records, and other government documents securely backed up?

Community Radio Stations

Manifesto quote: “Increase encouragement for setting up of community radio stations.”

Was there increased encouragement for setting up community radio stations under the SLPP government?

Availability of ICT Equipment

Manifesto quote: “Increase availability of ICT equipment by providing the requisite incentives.”

Was there an increase in the availability of ICT equipment?
Were the requisite incentives provided to increase the availability of ICT equipment?

Education and ICT Skills Development

Manifesto quote: “Science teaching will be encouraged in schools and colleges through focused policies in education.”

Was science teaching encouraged in schools and colleges under the SLPP government?
Were focused policies in education implemented to encourage science teaching?

Broadband Access

Manifesto quote: “Further enhance broadband access across the country, improving rural telecommunications, and creating customer choice and affordability.”

Was there a noticeable enhancement in broadband access across the country?
Was there an improvement in rural telecommunications?
Was there an increase in customer choice and affordability for broadband services?

Technical and Scientific Labour Force

Manifesto quote: “This will lead to a growing pool of technical and scientific labour to create a middle manpower pool nationwide.”

Was there a visible growth in the pool of technical and scientific labour under the SLPP government?
Was a middle-manpower pool created nationwide?
Were measures implemented to increase the technical and scientific labour force?

We thank you for taking an active part in this exercise. Your involvement in this process is essential for holding our government accountable and for fostering the growth of our nation.

Thank you for getting involved and thank you for your commitment to our beloved Sierra Leone.

Please take the Survey
https://sierraleonelive.com/survey/a11d83b4-c5cb-45ca-8c27-2d0707a0e5ec/

Empowering Women in Sierra Leone: A Comparative Report on the SLPP 2018 Manifesto and its Achievements after 5 Years

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SLL

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June 21, 2023

SLL Audio News

Empowering Women in Sierra Leone: A Comparative Report on the SLPP 2018 Manifesto and its Achievements after 5 Years

00:00 / 7:18

Empowering Women in Sierra Leone: A Comparative Report on the SLPP 2018 Manifesto and its Achievements after 5 Years

By the Sierra Leone Live Team

Sierra Leone Live is delighted to present a comprehensive comparison and analysis of the progress made in empowering women and achieving gender equality in line with the commitments outlined in the New Direction 2018 Manifesto. In our pursuit of transparency and accountability, we aim to provide you with the information to assess whether the SLPP government has met its targets set forth in the manifesto.

As part of this analysis, Sierra Leone Live has prepared a series of 25 questions that delve into various aspects of women’s empowerment, encompassing education, entrepreneurship, agriculture, energy access, political participation, and implementing gender laws and policies. These questions have been designed to facilitate a thorough evaluation of the progress made in empowering women during the specified period.

Our team has meticulously compared the promises outlined in the 2018 manifesto with the achievements reported after five years in office. By examining this data, we aim to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the extent to which the SLPP government has fulfilled its commitments to gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment:

New Direction 2018 Manifesto: The manifesto promised to promote gender equality, equity, empowerment, and protection of women’s rights through various actions.
Achievements after 5 Years: The Gender Equity and Women’s Empowerment Law was enacted, ensuring a minimum 30% quota for women’s representation in political positions and public service. This achievement aligns with the manifesto’s commitment to increasing women’s chances in politics through constitutional amendments and implementing a 30% Quota Bill.

Education and Training for Women:

New Direction 2018 Manifesto: The manifesto pledged to provide training and educational opportunities for women, establish a Women’s Development Fund, and offer free education for women pursuing sciences, engineering, and medical disciplines at the university level.
Achievements after 5 Years: Scholarships were provided for women studying STEAM subjects, showing progress towards fulfilling the manifesto’s commitment to supporting women’s education and training. However, specific details about the establishment and operation of the Women’s Development Fund were not mentioned in the achievements report.

Women in Agriculture:

New Direction 2018 Manifesto: The manifesto aimed to promote women in agriculture through various means, including direct support for large-scale farming and agro-processing activities, providing market information, facilitating exports, improving processing facilities, and enhancing female access to land and strategic resources.
Achievements after 5 Years: The achievements report does not provide explicit details regarding progress in promoting women in agriculture. It mentions empowering women through provisions in the Mines and Minerals Act, but it does not specifically address the agricultural sector.

Access to Modern Energy:

New Direction 2018 Manifesto: The manifesto promised to enhance female access to modern energy by investing in rural electrification, clean cooking fuel, and household energy needs.
Achievements after 5 Years: The achievements report does not mention progress in enhancing female access to modern energy. Therefore, it is unclear if they addressed this objective.

Procurement Laws and Support for Women-Led Organizations:

New Direction 2018 Manifesto: The manifesto proposed making amendments to procurement laws to give preferential treatment to performing female contractors and providing support for women-led organizations in rural areas.
Achievements after 5 Years: The achievements report does not specify progress related to the proposed amendments to procurement laws or support for women-led organizations. Therefore, it is uncertain whether these goals were accomplished.

National Commission for Gender Affairs and Expertise Development:

New Direction 2018 Manifesto: The manifesto aimed to establish a National Commission for Gender Affairs to develop, coordinate, monitor, and support the implementation of gender laws and policies, as well as improve expertise in gender through training programs.
Achievements after 5 Years: The achievements report does not mention the establishment or progress of the National Commission for Gender Affairs or the support for training programs in gender. Thus, it is unclear if these initiatives were successfully implemented.

Women’s Rights and Protection:

Achievements after 5 Years: The achievements report highlights several significant accomplishments, including the provision of free healthcare for pregnant women and lactating mothers nationwide, the establishment of a toll-free line for reporting Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) cases, the granting of the right for women to own land under the National Land Commission Act 2022, and the initiation of the Hands of Our Girls campaign to protect teenage girls from early sex and marriage. These achievements align with the manifesto’s overall objective of protecting women’s rights and promoting their well-being.

While the achievements after 5 years show progress in certain areas, there are gaps between the commitments outlined in the New Direction 2018 Manifesto and the specific achievements reported. Some key areas where the achievements report lacks explicit information include progress in promoting women in agriculture, enhancing female access to modern energy, amending procurement laws, supporting women-led organizations, establishing the National Commission for Gender Affairs, and improving expertise through training programs. It is important to note that the analysis is based solely on the information provided and does not account for any potential unreported accomplishments or contextual factors that may have influenced the implementation of the manifesto’s goals.

We would like to express our gratitude to all the citizens of Sierra Leone for their active engagement in assessing the progress made in empowering our women. By critically examining the data and information provided, you contribute to a more informed and empowered society. Your involvement helps shape the narrative and direction of policies and initiatives related to gender equality and women’s empowerment. Note that the 25 questions are in a separate post, which follows the analysis.

Here are the 25 Questions
https://sierraleonelive.com/empowering-sierra-leone-women-25-questions-on-analyzing-progress-in-gender-equality-and-womens-empowerment/

Empowering Sierra Leone Women: 25 Questions on Analyzing Progress in Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment

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SLL

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June 21, 2023

SLL Audio News

Empowering Sierra Leone Women: 25 Questions on Analyzing Progress in Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment

00:00 / 4:48

Empowering Sierra Leone Women: 25 Questions on Analyzing Progress in Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment

By the Sierra Leone Live Team

We are pleased to present a series of 25 questions focused on assessing the progress made in empowering women and achieving gender equality within the framework of the New Direction 2018 Manifesto. These questions aim to delve into various aspects of women’s empowerment, including education, entrepreneurship, agriculture, energy access, political participation, and implementing gender laws and policies.

By examining these questions, we can gain insight into the extent to which the SLPP fulfilled the commitments outlined in the manifesto. It is important to assess the accomplishments and challenges faced during the specified period, ensuring transparency and accountability in pursuing gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Were training and educational opportunities provided for women as outlined in the manifesto?
Was a Women’s Development Fund established to support female entrepreneurs?
Were women in agriculture directly supported for large-scale farming and agro-processing activities, as mentioned in the manifesto?
Was market information provided to women in agriculture about local and export markets facilitating the exporting of farm products?
Were improved facilities for fish processing and poultry processing provided to promote women in agriculture?
Was female access to land and other strategic resources promoted, as stated in the manifesto?
Was female access to modern energy enhanced through investments in rural electrification, clean cooking fuel, and household energy needs?
Were amendments made to procurement laws to give preferential treatment to female contractors?
Was support provided for women-led organizations in rural areas to take part in economic and political activities?
Was free education provided to women pursuing sciences, engineering, and medical disciplines at the university?
Was a National Commission for Gender Affairs established to develop, coordinate, monitor, and support the implementation of gender laws and policies?
Was expertise in gender improved through supporting training programs for gender in institutions?
Were national and international instruments to support women’s empowerment domesticated and implemented?
Was the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone amended to increase the chances of women taking part in politics?
Were all political parties mandated to enact gender policies specifying a threshold for women in executive positions, local councils, and parliamentary positions?
Was the minimum 30% Quota Bill reviewed and enacted to create the chance for women to hold 30% of positions in elective and appointive positions?
Were training and funding provided for female candidates for public elections?
Was gender equality promoted as a mainstream intervention or a stand-alone initiative?
Were gender laws and policies monitored and supported by the National Commission for Gender Affairs?
Were women in agriculture provided with support for large-scale farming and agro-processing activities?
Were market information and facilitation for the exporting of farm products provided to women in agriculture?
Were improved facilities for fish processing and poultry processing provided to promote women’s participation in these sectors?
Was female access to land and other strategic resources promoted?
Was female access to modern energy enhanced through investments in rural electrification, clean cooking fuel, and household energy needs?
Was preferential treatment given to female contractors through amendments to procurement laws?

Your participation in providing answers to these questions will contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the progress made in empowering women. Your insights and perspectives are valuable in evaluating the impact of policies and initiatives on the lives of women across Sierra Leone.

Thank you for taking the time to engage with these questions and sharing your knowledge and experiences. Together, let us foster a society where gender equality is realized, women are empowered, and their rights are protected.

Take the Survey
https://sierraleonelive.com/survey/79b4c6cb-1a8e-41f2-ba0c-7c25e3493efe/

Sports Manifesto Achievements: SLPP’s Pledges vs. Performance – A Comparative Analysis of the 2018 Manifesto and Reported Achievements

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SLL

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June 20, 2023

SLL Audio News

Sports Manifesto Achievements: SLPP's Pledges vs. Performance - A Comparative Analysis of the 2018 Manifesto and Reported Achievements

00:00 / 6:04

Sports Manifesto Achievements: SLPP’s Pledges vs. Performance – A Comparative Analysis of the 2018 Manifesto and Reported Achievements

By the Sierra Leone Live Team

Welcome to Sierra Leone Live’s deep dive into the comparison and analysis of the Sports sector in our country, focusing on the promises made by the SLPP government in their 2018 manifesto titled “New Direction” and their achievements after five years in office. Sports play a vital role in uniting our nation, and it’s essential to hold our leaders accountable for their promises towards the development of this sector. We’ll be providing an unbiased, data-driven analysis, comparing the intentions of the SLPP as outlined in their 2018 manifesto with the progress they reported in 2023.

To help you, the citizens, gauge the success of the SLPP government in meeting its sports manifesto targets, Sierra Leone Live is accompanying this analysis with a set of 25 questions. These questions guide your evaluation process, encouraging you to consider accomplishments and areas for improvement holistically.

Review of the policy and legal environment for sports development.

This is not directly mentioned in the Achievements document. Without specific reference, it’s unclear if the policy and legal environment for sports were reviewed.
Increase in budgetary support for sporting activities, especially football, athletics, cricket, volleyball, and basketball:The Achievements document specifically mentions that the government increased budgetary support for these activities. This shows a direct alignment with the manifesto’s promise.
Establishment of a Sports Development Fund, financed from various sources, including corporate establishments, international sporting organizations, and the government:
SLPP did not specifically mention this in the achievements. Therefore, it is unclear if this fund was established and how it was financed.
Implementation of a comprehensive capacity-building programme for all sporting disciplines:The Achievements document does not specifically mention this point. It’s unclear if such a program was implemented.
Reactivation of school and community sporting activities to identify and develop talents for national and international competitions:This point is directly confirmed in the Achievements document, which states that school and community sporting activities have been reactivated to identify and develop talents.
Resumption of national competition for all sporting activities:This point is implied in the Achievements document through the reactivation of the National Premier League in Football and the introduction of the Female Premier League in 2022. However, it is not explicitly stated if this applies to all sporting activities.
Establishment of sports academies and provision of facilities for sports development and recreation around the country:SLPP did not specifically mention this in the Achievements document. Therefore, it is unclear if sports academies were established and the additional facilities provided.
Development of administrative, technical, and support services for sports:The Achievements document confirms that administrative, technical, and support services for sports have been developed.
Building standard stadium facilities in all regions and Western Rural to enhance the capacity of Sierra Leone:The Achievements document does not mention this point. Therefore, it is not clear if SLPP built standard stadium facilities across all regions.

Additional Achievements (not specified in the 2018 Manifesto):

Ensured Sierra Leone’s participation in major international competitions, including the AFCON Tournament in Cameroon 2021 and the WAFU Under 20 Boys and Girls in Senegal 2021.
undertaken a successful institutional rearrangement of sports and football governance institutions, enhancing stability within the institutions.
The government entirely financed and supported University athletes and officials in both the Africa and West Africa University Games in Ethiopia and Nigeria, respectively.

Out of the nine promises made in the 2018 New Direction Manifesto, three are clearly achieved, as per the 2023 document (increased budgetary support, reactivation of community sports, and development of administrative, technical, and support services). There are partial alignments for two points (capacity building program and national competition), but these are not explicitly confirmed. Four points (review of policy, Sports Development Fund, sports academies, and stadiums) do not have corresponding achievements reported in the 2023 document. There are also additional achievements that were not specified in the 2018 manifesto.

Thank you for taking the time to engage in this review of our government’s actions in the sports sector. Your dedication to holding our leaders accountable for their promises is vital to the progress and development of our nation. We encourage you to refer to the survey provided in a separate post to answer the 25 questions we have prepared based on our analysis. By partaking in this process, you are actively taking part in shaping the future of sports in Sierra Leone. Thank you once again for your active involvement and let’s together drive our nation towards a prosperous future.

Here are the 25 Questions:
https://sierraleonelive.com/slpps-2018-sports-manifesto-25-key-questions-on-implementation-and-achievements/

SLPP’s 2018 Sports Manifesto: 25 Key Questions on Implementation and Achievements

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SLL

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June 20, 2023

SLL Audio News

SLPP's 2018 Sports Manifesto: 25 Key Questions on Implementation and Achievements

00:00 / 4:42

SLPP’s 2018 Sports Manifesto: 25 Key Questions on Implementation and Achievements

By the Sierra Leone Live Team

Welcome to our citizen survey on the New Direction 2018 Sports Manifesto by the SLPP government. Your voice is vital in this national dialogue, and we design this survey to assess the implementation of the promises made in 2018. These questions are crafted to reflect the key points outlined in the manifesto, offering you a clear path to evaluate the progress made in our sports sector over the past five years. Each question requires a simple “Yes” or “No” response, enabling a straightforward assessment.

Policy and Legal Environment

Manifesto Quote: “Review the policy and legal environment for sports development.”

Was the policy environment for sports development reviewed?
Was the legal environment for sports development reviewed?

Budgetary Support

Manifesto Quote: “Increase budgetary support to sporting activities, in particular football, athletics, cricket, volleyball, and basketball.”

Was there an increase in budgetary support for football?
Was there an increase in budgetary support for athletics?
Was there an increase in budgetary support for cricket?
Was there an increase in budgetary support for volleyball?
Was there an increase in budgetary support for basketball?

Sports Development Fund

Manifesto Quote: “Establish a Sports Development Fund that will be financed from various sources, including corporate establishments, international sporting organizations, and the government.”

Was a Sports Development Fund established?
Were corporate establishments involved in financing the Sports Development Fund?
Were international sporting organizations involved in financing the Sports Development Fund?
Was the government involved in financing the Sports Development Fund?

Capacity Building

Manifesto Quote: “Develop and implement a comprehensive capacity-building programme for all sporting disciplines.”

Was a comprehensive capacity-building program developed for all sporting disciplines?
Was the capacity-building program implemented?

Community Engagement

Manifesto Quote: “Reactivate school and community sporting activities with a view to identifying and developing talents for national and international competitions.”

Were school sporting activities reactivated?
Were community sporting activities reactivated?

National Competitions

Manifesto Quote: “Recommence national competition for all sporting activities.”

Were national competitions for all sporting activities resumed?

Sports Academies and Facilities

Manifesto Quote: “Establish sports academies and provide facilities for sports development and recreation around the country.”

Were sports academies established around the country?
Were facilities for sports development provided around the country?
Were facilities for sports and recreation provided around the country?

Administrative and Technical Support

Manifesto Quote: “Develop the administrative, technical, and support services for sports.”

Was administrative support for sports developed?
Was technical support for sports developed?

Stadium Facilities

Manifesto Quote: “Build standard stadium facilities in all regions and Western Rural to enhance the capacity of Sierra Leone.”

Were standard stadium facilities built in all regions?
Were standard stadium facilities built in Western rural areas?
Did the stadiums built enhance the capacity of Sierra Leone?
Were these stadiums built to the standard?

Your engagement in this process is invaluable, and we thank you deeply for taking the time to take part. By answering these questions, you are contributing to our shared understanding of the government’s successes and the areas that need more focus. Your insights will help shape the future of sports in Sierra Leone. Thank you again for your commitment to our nation’s development and for ensuring our government’s accountability. We appreciate your time and your thoughtful responses.

Take the Survey
https://sierraleonelive.com/survey/1814d7f8-8d35-4adb-bd09-eed77ca21d97/

Empowering the Youth: A Comparative Analysis of the SLPP’s 2018 Manifesto and Achievements

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SLL

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June 20, 2023

SLL Audio News

Empowering the Youth: A Comparative Analysis of the SLPP’s 2018 Manifesto and Achievements

00:00 / 5:44

Empowering the Youth: A Comparative Analysis of the SLPP’s 2018 Manifesto and Achievements

By the Sierra Leone Live Team

Welcome to our comprehensive comparative analysis focused on ‘Empowering the Youth’, a significant commitment made by the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) in its 2018 manifesto, titled ‘New Direction’. The analysis we present today aims to shed light on the degree to which the party has fulfilled its promises over the past five years, with a particular emphasis on youth empowerment strategies and initiatives.

To make this a participatory exercise, Sierra Leone Live will provide 25 important questions alongside this analysis. These questions will serve as a guide and a tool for you, the citizens of Sierra Leone, to better assess and understand the progress, or lack thereof, made by the government in relation to its 2018 manifesto commitments.

We encourage you to critically engage with these questions and this analysis in order to gain a clearer picture of the SLPP’s performance. Your active participation and informed opinion matter for the continued growth and prosperity of Sierra Leone.

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)

Manifesto: The manifesto proposed providing technical skills to the youth in the job market.

Achievement: The report of achievements after 5 years shows that over 2000 youths were trained through the Youth Service Schemes and thousands more in various trades and skills. It also includes the training of over 200 young people in tractor operations and basic maintenance.

National Youth Scheme

Manifesto: The manifesto outlined plans to review and support the implementation of the National Youth Service by promoting internships and public-private partnerships.

Achievement: The achievement report shows that over 2000 youth were trained through the Youth Service Schemes, showing the implementation of this plan. However, there’s no specific mention of the review process, internships, or public-private partnerships.

Economic Empowerment

Manifesto: The manifesto proposed establishing a special Youth Empowerment Fund and promoting youth engagement in agriculture.

Achievement: The achievements report shows that 411 young entrepreneurs affected by COVID-19 were supported with a stimulus grant and that several youth-led organizations were established, which corresponds with the plan for economic empowerment. There’s evidence of youth engagement in agriculture with the creation of 190 Chiefdom Youth Farms. However, there’s no mention of a specific Youth Empowerment Fund.

Public Works

Manifesto: The manifesto aimed to create jobs for the youth in housing and public works, with a focus on training and implementing national housing programs.

Achievement: The achievements report does not provide specific evidence of progress in this area. It mentions the establishment of 28 carwash centres across the country, which may fall under public works, but there’s no reference to housing construction or urban renewal programmes.

Music and Performing Arts

Manifesto: The manifesto had goals to review and enforce copyright laws, establish institutions for music, film, and video production training, promote Sierra Leonean music nationally and internationally, and establish an Arts Gallery and Theatre for Performing Arts.

Achievement: There are no mentions of achievements in this area in the provided report.

Sports

Manifesto: The manifesto outlined plans to review sports development policy, increase budgetary support for sporting activities, establish a Sports Development Fund, build standard stadium facilities, and reactivate school and community sporting activities.

Achievement: Please see the sports report for details in this area.

The Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) made progress on its 2018 manifesto goals, particularly in the areas of vocational training and economic empowerment for the youth. However, progress is less clear or lacking in public works, music, and the performing arts. Please note that this is based on the documents and may not fully represent the whole spectrum of their achievements.

As we conclude this analysis, we would like to express our gratitude to all the citizens of Sierra Leone who have taken the time to look into the survey and review the comparison between the SLPP’s 2018 manifesto and the achievements over the past five years. Your interest and participation in such an evaluation process not only strengthen our democracy but also helps in holding our elected officials accountable.

It’s crucial to keep in mind that our current collective engagement will determine our collective future. Stay tuned for the 25 questions that Sierra Leone Live will provide in a separate post, intended to further the dialogue and critical thinking around these issues.

Thank you, and we look forward to continuing to serve as a reliable platform for political analysis, data, and citizen engagement.

Here are the 25 Questions
https://sierraleonelive.com/commitments-to-youth-empowerment-25-key-questions-on-the-slpps-2018-manifesto/

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