A delegation from the Parliament of Sierra Leone has completed a study visit to Tynwald as part of a plan to strengthen its own research capacity.

Sponsored by the Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD), which was established to help to support parliamentary democracy in developing countries, the two-day programme was arranged by the Clerk of Tynwald’s Office for the four-strong delegation. They were accompanied by WFD’s programme officer for Africa Charlotte Egan.

The visit built on links forged in 2016 in response to a WFD needs assessment review, which saw two Parliament of Sierra Leone staff members seconded to Tynwald to undergo two weeks of training in the production of Hansard reports.

The relationship developed in 2017 after the WFD commissioned the head of chamber and information service Ruth Donnelly and Hansard team member Deborah Pilkington to travel to Sierra Leone to provide follow-up support.

Delegation head Muctarr Sowa, director of the Parliament of Sierra Leone’s library, research and documentation department, said: ’After the need was identified to develop our parliamentary service commission, especially in light of the growing number of private member’s Bills, there has been a drive to recruit key personnel to the research department, a process which is bringing about dramatic change to our operation.

’Many of our members are new and inexperienced, so they need the support of a strong evidence-based research unit to serve the people of Sierra Leone to the best of their ability.

’We believe this will also help to boost our legislators’ credibility.’

He added: ’Our research service is in its infancy stage. We are starting small but in the longer term we hope to expand, with quality always our focus.

’This Tynwald capacity-building programme has been very valuable.’