The Clerk of Sierra Leone Parliament, who also serves as the 1st Chairperson of the Association of Secretaries-General of African Parliaments (ASGAP), Karmoh K. Conteh attended the Annual Executive Committee Meeting of ASGAP in Rabat-Morocco on February 5, 2026.
The meeting’s theme was “Strengthening the ASGAP: Statutes and Strategic Action Plan.”
The purpose of the meeting was to review the Constitution of ASGAP and to review and refine the draft Action Plan for the future, aimed at further strengthening and modernizing the Association of Secretaries-General of African Parliaments.
Prior to the meeting, the 1st Chairperson granted an interview to Moroccan National Television, expressing appreciation for the warm hospitality extended by the Chairperson of the Association of Secretaries-General of African Parliaments, Najib El Khadi.
During the meeting, the Clerk of Sierra Leone Parliament made several observations on the proposed review of the ASGAP Constitution. He emphasized the need for precise definitions of “National Parliament” versus “Regional Parliament.” He also suggested replacing “may” with “shall” in Article 19.1 to ensure the Pan-African Parliament provides material and financial support to the Association. He also sought clarification on whether the proposed membership subscriptions were to be paid to the Pan-African Parliament on behalf of ASGAP or directly to the Association.
Regarding the Strategic Action Plan, the Clerk of Parliament commended the Legal Officer for producing a well-structured document, but stressed the importance of establishing a permanent and dedicated Secretariat for ASGAP. He also inquired about the digitalization objectives, including whether the Association of Secretaries-General of African Parliaments would operate a separate website from that of the Pan-African Parliament.
The Clerk supported the view that a single day was insufficient for deliberations and emphasized the need for more time to be allotted to discuss matters relating to ASGAP comprehensively. He stressed that allocating more time for meetings would strengthen and advance the work of the Association.
The meeting aimed at enhancing ASGAP’s effectiveness and to promote cooperation among African Parliaments.
The Clerk’s participation underscores Sierra Leone’s commitment to regional parliamentary cooperation and strengthening the Association of Secretaries-General of African Parliaments role in promoting democratic governance.
