By Alusine Fullah

On Friday, 10th November 2023 with fund from USAID through Trocaire, Campaign for Good Governance (CGG) held a mixed multi-stakeholders engagement as part of the People-to-People Peace Building Project initiative to strengthen peace and cohesion across the country.  The theme of the meeting was “Strengthening Peace Infrastructure and Accountability through Community-led approach and Empowerment of Women and Youths as Leaders in Karene District.”

The Project Manager of Campaign for Good Governance, Mrs Landiya Ade-Williams said the engagement calls for a diverse set of people ranging from local authorities, farmers, bike riders, footballers, to name but a few, but what all these stakeholders have in common is their commitment in promoting peacebuilding. Adding that peacebuilding is a holistic involvement and responsibility of everyone in order to enrich the peace in Sierra Leone at both community and national levels.

Madam Ade-Williams expressed that the USAID-funded project focuses on building peace and empowering women and youths to be part of decision-making bodies across the country. “We are here to find solutions with regards to peacebuilding, women and youths empowerment in order to achieve a prosperous future.” Ade-Williams emphasized.

She said the only way to peace infrastructure is through collaboration from different sets of stakeholders, especially at the community level, noting that the project remains sustainable and that it will continue to cater for women and youths.

The Regional Project Support Coordinator, Harold Kamara stated that the three years project funded by USAID outlines continuous partnership with various community stakeholders. He furthered that the mandate of CGG is to increase citizens’ participation in decision-making processes through advocacy, building capacity, and sensitization. “One of the aims of the project is to strengthen the peace process and add value to both security institutions and other sectors,” Mr. Kamara emphasized.

He went ahead to urge the people of Karene District to tap into the opportunity to enhance peace building and the empowerment of women and youths.

The Acting Paramount Chief of Sella Limba Chiefdom of Karene District, Alhaji Ballah Bangura thanked CGG for staging such a remarkable engagement towards strengthening peace as well as streamlining women and youths empowerment courtesy of the People-to-People peace building project funded by USAID.

Chief Bangura revealed that their chiefdom is estimated with a population of ninety six thousand six hundred people according to the National Population Census done in 2015. He assured CGG that they would continue to embrace such an opportunity. “Even though we are reserved people, we equally have respect for the rule of law,” the acting Paramount Chief said.

A representative of the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs at Karene District, Alusine Sesay expressed his thanks and appreciation to USAID through Trocaire for funding such a project; adding that the NGOs are there to complement the government’s efforts.