CIVICUS supports accountability in Sierra Leone

After a busy few weeks travelling I am happy to report that the CSO Accountability workshop organised by CIVICUS and Accountability Alert earlier this month in Sierra Leone was welcomed as both timely and much needed. Commitment was pledged by civil society organisations, government officials and donors to strengthen levels of legitimacy, transparency and accountability in the civil society sector, including the important step of developing a Code of Conduct for the sector – an enormous step that gained the attention of the Sierra Express media.

The workshop brought together 80 participants from a wide spectrum of society, including beneficiaries, media, government officials, academics and police representatives, highlighting the far-reaching and important role civil society plays within Sierra Leone.

In Sierra Leone, a country that receives 70% of its money in overseas aid, civil society organisations are big business. Weak regulation and limited collaboration between CSOs have shaped a civil society sector marred by poor governance, minimal transparency and cases of corruption. This workshop was a significant move to address these problems and build a collective civil society voice calling for greater accountability and transparency, not just of the government, but also of themselves. 

CIVICUS will be continuing to work with Accountability Alert to build a credible civil society sector that is vital for the development of the country. We strive to create an environment where civil society organisations must be answerable to people they claim to serve and be open about their purpose and activities. Civil society earns its credibility through being accountable and transparent. The LTA project is providing technical expertise and sharing best practices of organisations from other parts of the world in order to build an inclusive, accountable and effective civil society.

For more information about the event in Sierra Leone or how the LTA project can help your organisation or network, contact adele.poskitt@civicus.org. To access LTA resources, visit http://lta.civicus.org.