SLAJ, IDEA TRAIN JOURNALISTS ON TRIPARTITE RECOMMENDATIONS

By Morlai Sesay

In a major step to strengthen citizens-stakeholder engagements on the Tripartite Committee recommendations and the two-way accountability mechanisms, the Sierra Leone Association of Journalist (SLAJ) and partners have on Tuesday, 8^th July 2025 trained journalists on conflict-sensitive reporting and accountability governance at the Civil Service Training college, Tower Hill, Freetown.

The highly anticipated ceremony which brought together editors and station manager emphasized the crucial role the media plays in the implementation of recommendations from the Tripartite Committee, primarily through public awareness campaigns and holding stakeholders accountable. By disseminating information about the recommendations and their progress, the outgoing president of SLAJ, Ahmed Sahid Nasrala noted that the media can ensure broad public understanding and support for the changes, affirming that media scrutiny could encourage stakeholders to fulfill their responsibilities and address any shortcomings in the implementation process. According to President Nasrala, the media could inform the public about the Tripartite Committee's recommendations through various channels, such as news reports, interviews, and public service announcements. Nasrala stated that the preceding work of the media is particularly important for complex or technical recommendations that may not be easily understood by the general population.

He affirmed that the media could track the progress of the implementation process, reporting on successes and challenges faced by different stakeholders that is, examining whether deadlines are being met, resources are being allocated effectively, and intended outcomes are being achieved. By holding stakeholders accountable for their actions, he stated that the media can ensure that the recommendations are taken seriously and acted upon. “This can involve investigating instances of non-compliance, highlighting potential conflicts of interest, and demanding transparency in decision-making processes,” he asserted.

He urged editors and station managers to also facilitate public dialogue about the recommendations, providing a platform for diverse voices and perspectives to be heard. That, he said, could help build consensus around the implementation process and ensure that the recommendations are relevant and effective. Another critical point highlighted by Nasrala was that the media could also partner with civil society organizations to amplify their voices and ensure that marginalized communities are included in the implementation process. This can involve highlighting the experiences of those most affected by the recommendations and advocating for their needs to be addressed.

In the context of Sierra Leone, the media's role is particularly important in ensuring that the Tripartite Committee's recommendations on HIV and AIDS are effectively implemented. The media in Sierra Leone is working with stakeholders like the National HIV and AIDS Secretariat and civil society organizations to raise awareness, promote accountability, and ensure that people living with HIV have access to the services and support they need.

On his part, the Coordinator of the Tripartite Secretariat, Ngolo Kata made a detailed presentation on the status of the implementation of the tripartite recommendations at a training for journalists on the tripartite recommendations.

Ngolo Katta told journalists that recommendation 78 in the Tripartite Report was under implementation since technical and general consultations had been conducted in Freetown and the regions. Four technical consultations were held in Freetown: one with electoral management bodies and the Security Sector, one with all registered political parties, one with Inter-Religious Council, and an expert panel with academics and a select audience. The regional consultations took place in Port Loko, Makeni, Kenema, and Bo. One was organized in the Western Rural Area in Waterloo. All of that would lead to the national dialogue in July 2025, at the Bintumani conference hall. An Independent Management and Functional Review on Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone ECSL had been conducted and its report presented to the President. It contained 85 recommendations, and an action plan has been developed to support the implementation of the review report.

Other Management and Functional Reviews on IMC, SLBC, Independent Police Complaint Partnership Board, and PPRC would be completed soon. That would institutionalize reforms, improve management systems, and revolutionize operations in a manner that would add value to the human resources of the institutions and boost efficiency and service delivery. On the constitutional and legislative reform front, drafters at the Office of the AG were far ahead in drafting provisions in the constitution and legislations to fit into the PPRC and ECSL Acts as recommended by the Tripartite Report. A draft report would be produced, and technical consultations held on it before arriving at the Steering Committee for the attention of the President and Parliament. Katta urged journalists to support the work of the Secretariat and report stories around the tripartite processes without bias or distortion of facts. TSCS would continue to collaborate with SLAJ to maximize information within the public domain on the tripartite.