By The Prowess
The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), with funding from the European Union (EU), has commenced a four-day Bridge Modular Workshop for staff of the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC). The training began on Monday, 24 June 2025, at the Brookfields Hotel in Freetown.
Speaking at the opening session, International IDEA Country Head, Dr. Idrissa Mamoud Tarawallie, welcomed participants and expressed appreciation for the continued engagement with the PPRC and its partners. He explained that the workshop is part of the globally recognized Bridge training program, which focuses on governance, democracy, and elections.
Tarawallie highlighted that the training includes key modules on political party administration, an area crucial to electoral management. He noted that a similar training was recently held for the Electoral Commission and underscored the importance of PPRC’s core mandate: the registration and regulation of political parties.
“Without the proper regulation of political parties, the democratic environment would be compromised,” Tarawallie stated. He added that following this workshop, there may be a facilitators’ training for some PPRC staff, including the Chairperson and Executive Secretary, to build in-house training capacity and reduce reliance on international experts.
The EU Representative, speaking during the event, reiterated the Union’s commitment to supporting democratic processes in Sierra Leone. She noted that the training is part of the broader Sierra Leone Democracy Strengthening Program, implemented by International IDEA.
She emphasized the EU’s focus on promoting transparent, peaceful, and inclusive electoral processes, adding that substantial resources have been allocated from the EU’s cooperation budget to support these goals.
According to her, the EU has helped facilitate the government’s dissemination of recommendations from the Democracy Strengthening Program. She noted that new campaign finance regulations have been developed in line with the recommendations of the Tripartite Committee and human rights principles.
She described the Bridge training as a vital component of EU support to electoral management bodies, reinforcing the skills and effectiveness of institutions like the PPRC. “We value the constitutional role of each electoral actor and believe in building their capacity to make the process transparent and trustworthy,” she said.
PPRC Chairman, Emmanuel K. Amara, in his remarks, expressed his enthusiasm and that of his team, noting that the training is essential for staff across all levels, particularly those who interface directly with political parties, candidates, and other electoral stakeholders.
He described the workshop as timely and relevant, emphasizing its value in enhancing staff capacity, especially in areas such as mediation. “Any knowledge related to our work can only strengthen our ability to engage effectively with political entities,” he remarked.
The Chairman also expressed appreciation for the opportunity to benefit from the Bridge training module, describing it as a highly valued and costly program that is made accessible through the support of international partners.
Facilitators for the workshop include Rejoice Sibanda, Olushugo David, and Titi Pitso, experienced trainers in the Bridge program.
The training is expected to significantly strengthen the PPRC’s internal capacity and support its mandate in regulating political parties and fostering a stronger democratic culture in Sierra Leone.
