The National Commission for Democracy (NCD), with funding from the European Union through the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), has convened a pivotal stakeholder workshop to validate the inaugural State of Democracy Assessment Report for Sierra Leone.
The event, held at the Sierra Palm Hotel, brought together a diverse cross-section of national stakeholders, including government institutions, civil society organizations, academia, the private sector, media, and community representatives. The objective was to critically review the draft report’s findings and ensure its recommendations are robust and actionable for strengthening democratic governance.
In her opening address, NCD Chairperson Marian Samu emphasized the importance of the validation process. She stated that the assessment employed a rigorous, methodological approach, deliberately capturing the lived experiences of citizens across all districts.
“The drafting of this report reflects diverse perspectives, including those of women, youth, and marginalized groups, thereby ensuring comprehensive coverage,” Ms. Samu explained. “This document is intended to guide reforms and prevent future governance failures. Every citizen has an input in democracy, whether by giving or receiving it.”
Mamoud Tarawallie, in his remarks, highlighted the report’s critical relevance to Sierra Leone’s democratic future. He noted that its evidence-based recommendations are expected to inform concrete reforms in governance and electoral processes. He underscored the vital role of the media, the NCD, and the National Social Accountability Platform (NASA) in promoting democratic education and electoral integrity, expressing optimism for significant democratic advancements within the next three years.
A representative from the European Union reaffirmed the EU’s steadfast commitment to promoting democracy, human rights, and fundamental freedoms globally.
“The European Union aims to export these values through its external actions, highlighting the importance of studies such as this,” the representative said. “We will continue to support Sierra Leone and other countries in advancing democracy and human rights,” adding that upcoming EU cooperation frameworks will continue to prioritize democratic governance and citizen participation.
The report’s lead researchers, Charlie Hughes and Andrew Lavalie, presented the methodological framework, which included nationwide surveys, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and scenario analysis. They confirmed the draft had already undergone a stringent internal evaluation by International IDEA’s CRM Committee and preliminary public assessments to ensure its rigor and relevance.
Stakeholders at the event unanimously welcomed the initiative, hailing it as a critical step toward finalizing a national strategic document. The validated report will be presented to the Government and people of Sierra Leone as a comprehensive resource for strengthening accountability, inclusiveness, and participation in the nation’s democratic journey.
