The Honourable Members of the Parliamentary Committee on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and staff members on Friday concluded a two-day workshop slated for 20th and 21st August 2020, at Shangri La Hotel at Lumley Beach Road in Freetown.

The purpose of the workshop is to enhance the knowledge of Members of Parliament on SDGs and also streamline the SDG’s activities in their Parliamentary oversight functions.

In his opening statement, the Chairman of the SDG Committee, Hon Yusuf Mackery stated the composition of Parliament and oversight committees, in light of their mandates in the implementation of the SDG. The Chairman went on to highlight the importance of the SDG relative to national developments and inclusivity of all compatriots and partners, adding that Parliament has a very key role to play in that direction.

The Chairman outlined the challenges of the committees in the discharge of its responsibilities to implementing the set goals or indicators.

Emphasizing on the commitment and collaboration of partners including donors, media, civil society organizations and other stakeholders, the MP said effective delivery will help to achieve. While concluding his statement, the Chairman acknowledged the support of UNDP and other partners for the conduct of the workshop.

Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Finance, the Director of Research and Delivery, Dr. Yakama Manty Jones informed her audience that, there were lot of gaps in the implementation of SDGs and used the opportunity to urge stakeholders to steadfast. She recalled that, the Ministry of Finance has been undertaking series of activities that are related to the SDGs implementation, while assuring that, they as ministry will continue to actualize deliverables in that regard. She singled out SDG’s goal on education as one of the major government priorities, in light of human capacity building among other implementation.

The Deputy Clerk of Parliament, Cyril F. King in his statement highlighted the constitutional mandates of the Parliamentary Committee relative to oversight responsibilities especially in the implementation of activities and strategic planning. The Deputy Clerk revealed to his audience that, the Sierra Leone Parliament was first amongst others to form the SDGs Strategic Group and instituted the aforesaid committee. In a vehement term, Cyril F. King told the audience that without good governance and related SDG legislation, Sierra Leone will find it difficult to achieve the goals.

He noted that, for MPs to streamline the SDGs indicators, collective responsibilities was required to implementing such. “We need to give constitutional status to SDG” he stated, adding that robust engagement, communication, harmonization and strong collaboration that are devoid of political and other interference will enhance SDG implementation. He emphatically called for the passage of a private member’s bill to foster implementation and conduct strong oversight and monitoring.

“Parliament is not well financed” he noted and called on donor partners and other stakeholders to collaborate with MPs to implement SDG.

On his part, the Director of Planning, Policy and Research of the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Sheka Bangura described SDG as a ‘very good instrument’ for infrastructural development, peace and streamlining of agenda, citing medium term national developments and plans as hallmarks in that context.

He emphasized on the roles of external players including Parliament, Civil society organizations, Audit Service and others, as strategic and essential in the implementation of SDG. “We are working collectively to achieve the SDG” he reiterated, whist calling on compatriots to adopt or prioritize very important goals. He noted the critical and important role of Parliament, relative to people’s participation and advocacy. “We rely on Parliament to make SDG visible” he ended.

CSO representative, Nancy V. A. Smart who doubles as Country Director for Sightsavers and Chairperson for Sierra Leone Coalition 2030 recalled their collaboration with other partners, in light of implementing SDG’s activities few years ago. “CSOs rely on goal 17 that deals with partnership and multi stakeholders’ engagement” she pointed out and called for financial support and government commitments for the implementation. The civil society activist reiterated that, the role of Parliament is key in the implementation of the SDG and their partnership and coordination with government, Parliament and other stakeholders were necessary for the implementation. “Civil society requires to promote technical support in the implementation of SDG” she remarked. She earmarked reporting and monitoring of the SDGs’ activities as remarkable, in light of inclusive participation for implementation.

Delivering her statement, UNDP representative, Kadie Jumu-Peters, who dubbed as Governance Lead said collective efforts must be bridged between the people and stakeholders including Parliament for participation. She noted that MPs have a vital role to play, in order to ensure that SDG is delivered, especially in budget allocation to implementing MDAs, whilst acknowledging the continuous efforts of Parliament of Sierra Leone in setting the agenda for SDG. She assured stakeholders and Parliament of UNDP support in that direction.

Series of presentations, questions, deliberations, group exercises and recommendations formed part of the SDG streamlining workshops.