By Kemo Cham
After successfully championing the enactment of the Freedom of Information law in Sierra Leone, the Society for Democratic Initiative (SDI) has unveiled its next big assignment.
The local NGO will lead a group of NGOs and INGOs to convince politicians to review a new government policy on the operations of NGO`s in the country. The new policy which has already been drafted as a bill and is due to be presented in parliament for enactment is seen by activists as potentially dangerous for the freedom of expression.
Among other things, it makes it an obligation for NGOs to disclose their sources of funding. But even more crucial is that new NGOs will require the approval of a government ministry to be granted licence, among other controversial provisions.
Activists say the new policy, if it becomes a law, will not only stifle free speech, which they argue is guaranteed by the constitution, but it will also water down the influence of NGOs.
Proponents of the new policy say it is aimed at promoting transparency in the activities of NGOs.
Recently parliament have been very vocal against the performance of some NGOs, to the point that lawmakers have repeatedly said all monies given to NGOs, either from a local or international source, arr meant for Sierra Leoneans and therefore makes such NGOs answerable to parliament.
“The civic space boils down to freedom fo association, which is a constitutional right,” said Emmanuel Saffa Abdullai, Executive Director of SDI.
“When states take it upon themselves to control that space, that is the problem we have.”
SDI recently organized a round table forum for media practitioners to discuss the issue. The organization has held a similar one with other NGOs and INGOs and it intended to convene a forum for parliamentarians.
The Open Society for West Africa (OSIWA), is funding this campaign. Its Country Director in Sierra Leone, Joe Pemagbi, said the new law, if enacted, had the tendency of narrowing the space for free speech.
Citing the high fees levied for registration, he said some NGOs and local CSOs are only one grant away from extinction, and that increasing the fees for registration might just force them into extinction.
“While we commend government for promoting accountability, we believe that the space [for free speech] must be left open,” Mr Pemagbi said.
NGOs and CSOs representatives say they are not opposed to a reform of the sector. But they believe there should be a better way to monitor them than through government`s “intrusive” hand.
Mr Abdullai said NGOs could be made account by queries from the public. The media, he added, can only do so my taking on issues for public discussions.
The move to regulate NGOs by government began as early as in 2009, and this pending bill is said to be a product of that initiative.
But recently must of the concern have been coming from parliamentarians.
As late as last month a parliamentary select committee instituted to investigate NGOs and INGOs came out with a familiarly damning report.
78 organisations out of 128 targeted were investigated. 70% of the funds they got were spent on administrative matters, the report notes, justifying calls for greater monitoring by parliament.
(C) Politico 16/11/15
