By Buba Gagigo
The Director of Press and Public Relations at State House, Amie Bojang Sissoho Amie Bojang Sissoho, who also leads the National Preparatory Committee for National Dialogue, has announced that President Barrow will host political party leaders at State House on February 12th, 2024, for a crucial national dialogue session.
The National Preparatory Committee (NPC), a diverse body consisting of representatives from various institutions and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), on Wednesday, conducted a press conference at State House to announce the upcoming National Dialogue scheduled for February 16, 2024. The primary purpose of the press conference is to give detailed information to the public regarding the objectives and procedures associated with the National Dialogue.
Sissoho highlighted the significance of President Barrow’s approval of a proposal from the National Preparatory Committee for a political dialogue with party leaders, which will take place on February 12th at State House.
“Another important step this year is that His Excellency, approved of a proposal from the committee (National Preparatory Committee for National Dialogue), that a political dialogue with party political leaders be held and that discussion has been approved for the 12th of February here at the Statehouse.
“His Excellency will be there to host the party leaders and other stakeholders who will be witnessing the process. The idea for that is to introduce the theme, and the processes involving the national dialogue so that as a country, we can be talking with each other and look at our issues and how we need to address them,” she told journalists during a press conference at State House on Wednesday.
The Director of Press conveyed that His Excellency, President Adama Barrow, sanctioned a public forum organized by the Office of the President last year, aimed at engaging the public on matters conducive to democracy, peace, and stability. In a parallel initiative this year, the president has decided to establish a National Committee and has charged it with the responsibility of arranging a national dialogue forum.
“That national dialogue forum, the membership consists of both individuals and institutions across the board. The committee was inaugurated on the 30th of January, at its first meeting to brief them and give them the background information sent to them about why the committee. From that day to now, the committee has been very active, both physically present meetings, but also meeting online to fast track the task that is ahead of us,” she said.
Sissoho reports that the committee has extensively deliberated on the matter and has formulated plans for the upcoming National Dialogue scheduled for February 16, 2024.
“The first thing that the committee was tasked to do is to confirm a proposed theme for this year. The theme was discussed thoroughly, and the Committee concluded and approved the theme: “Is our collective responsibility in preserving our nation, safeguarding the state and securing our resources” That will be the theme for this year,” she said.
Additionally, she mentioned that the committee had scheduled the 14th of February for engaging stakeholders in discussions on thematic concerns pertinent to all citizens.
“On the 14th six thematic areas have been identified, and members of the preparatory committee have been divided into six teams who will be facilitating the meeting so that they will discuss thoroughly the topics, and then they will prepare for the 16th (National Dialogue Day),” she said.