Freetown, 27th November 2024 (SLENA)
Giving the keynotes address on the occasion that marked 30 years of existence of the National Commission for Democracy (NCD) with the theme, “NCD @30: Towards the Promotion of Democratic Good Governance in Sierra Leone,” the Deputy Minister of Public Administration and Political Affairs, Philip Tetema Tondoneh applauded NCD for staying committed in the democratic wellbeing of Sierra Leone.
Hon. Tondoneh made this pronouncement at the Foreign Affairs Academy in Tower Hill, Freetown amidst a cross-section of representatives from Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs), civil society, the council of paramount chiefs, youth groups, women’s forum, Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC), Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL) and the international community, amongst others.
Deputy Minister Tondoneh furthered by urging NCD to continue with the promotion of democratic good governance in the next decade, alluding to the fact that democracy is a process and not an event and hence the need for all to come onboard in making Sierra Leone a full-blown democracy, enviable to other nations across the world.
Philip T. Tondoneh informed that the Ministry of Public Administration and Political Affairs (MoPAPA) which was then the Ministry of Political and Public Affairs (MPPA) remains committed on improving the legal framework of NCD which enhances transformation to what he referred to as renewal and better status befitting the 21st Century standard.
The Deputy Minister underscored relevance shown by NCD in the democratic trajectory of Sierra Leone over the years, as the institution remained focus in the restoration of democracy and transformation of Sierra Leone into a multiparty state – citing, such transformation was achieved in 1996, just under 2 years of the existence of NCD.
“The celebration marking 30 years of NCD is to rekindle the passion that was unleashed in 1994 restoring the nation’s democratic aspirations,” said the Deputy Minister.
Tondoneh in his discourse, explicated by referencing the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone – section (5) subsection (1) – Act No. 6, stating that Sierra Leone as a republic is based on the principles of freedom, democracy and justice and he thus, commended NCD for being committed in such trajectory over the years.
He furthered by expressing that NCD’s role in democratic good governance should not be overemphasized but rather, the institution should be given the desired boost to succeed and with that he urged all concerned stakeholders to uphold democratic values.
Correspondent: Musa Kamara
Email: kaymuzay222@gmail.com
Phone: +232 78 155260
