Post-Conflict Governance in Sierra Leone

About the Book

This book contains ten chapters and constitutes an attempt to discuss some of the key areas of governance in the country. This text posits three main arguments: First, that promoting democratic good governance in Sierra Leone is an imperative that should be embarked upon (by any government) if it is to ensure socioeconomic and political development on the one hand and peace and security on the other. Second, that the process of promoting democratic good governance will not be an easy task, and this is why any government should strive to be vigilant and extricate the country from dependence; the fact remains that a successful good governance environment in Sierra Leone will depend on economic development. Third, that governance should be not only enhanced through ensuring adequate capacity but also constantly monitored, and it should be a permanent phenomenon. The need to strengthen links between and among the government, civil society, and the private sector cannot be overemphasized; this is necessary to ensure the dynamism that should characterize a good governance environment. This environment should include a new Sierra Leonean psyche: that of the interests of the state first, anchored in attitudinal and behavioral change. In this book, the author also attempts to determine how far Sierra Leone has gone in its practice of democratic good governance and the challenges it is facing in trying to do so. He also makes recommendations on how these challenges could be surmounted.

About the Author

Abubakar Hassan Kargbo is currently the chairman of the National Commission for Democracy. He lectures at the School of Social Sciences, Postgraduate Studies, Njala University, in Sierra Leone. Prior to his joining Njala University, he taught international relations and ancient and medieval political thought at the Fourah Bay College University of Sierra Leone, and international economic relations, development studies, and government at the Milton Margai College of Education and Technology. Dr. Abubakar Kargbo completed his doctorate in jurisprudence (JUDr), international law, and organization in 1977 at the Charles University Law Faculty in Prague, Czech Republic. Prior to receiving his doctorate, Dr. Kargbo received his master’s degree in international relations and sat at the first state examination from the same university in 1973. Dr. Kargbo is a broadcaster, researcher, writer, and consultant. He was the coordinator of the core team that put together the Vision 2025 Document for Sierra Leone. He has presented numerous papers at conferences and workshops on topics on the media and governance, trade union issues, electoral systems, globalization and the third world, conflict, and development. He is also the chairman of the Board Campaign for Good Governance and NGO in Sierra Leone, and he was commissioner of the Independent Media Commission.