MPs and Clerks of Committees benefit from capacity building workshop

Parliamentarians and Clerks of Committees during PACO training session

The Parliamentary Assistant Coordination Office (PACO) supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has concluded a capacity building working session for Parliamentarians, Chairpersons and Clerks of Committees in the House of Parliament in Freetown.

In his opening remarks, the Clerk of Parliament, Mr. Ibrahim Sesay, commended the UNDP for capacitating the Parliament to strengthen their capacity for effective administration of the House.

He described the training session as very timely especially for clerks of committees as it will help them understand their relationship with MPS and vice versa.

He urged the Committee Clerks and Parliamentarians to collaborate with each other for improved working relationship and better coordination and further urged the Clerks to be knowledgeable about the Constitution of Sierra Leone and the Parliamentary Standing Orders.

Giving a background to PACO’s operations in the country, the focal person, Mrs. Finda Frazer, said in 2011 the UNDP provided capacity building support to Parliament by recruiting twenty-three staff for effective management of Parliament.

While pin pointing the many training programmes PACO has undertaking for the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies in the past, Mrs. Frazer said PACO’s objective in supporting Parliament was to develop the mind set of Parliamentarians and Clerks of Committees while carrying out their oversight functions.

Other speakers at the opening ceremony included the Deputy Clerk of Parliament, Mr. Mohamed Jabbie and Mr. Peter Kulagbanda who spoke on the roles, responsibilities and functions of Parliamentarians and Committee Clerks