|
The Office of the Ombudsman, with support from the Justice Sector Development Programme (JSDP), officially launched the Ombudsman Strategic Plan 2009 to 2013, at the Atlantic Hall, National Stadium, Freetown, on Thursday 23rd April.
Representatives from the Ministry of Justice, the judiciary and Law Officers Department, Civil Society, schools and colleges; Members of Parliament, Professional Heads of Ministries, the Programme Manager, JSDP, Mr. Peter Viner; were among the important personalities who graced the occasion. The Chairman of the National Commission for Democracy, Mr. George Coleridge Taylor, chaired the event whilst the Minister of State, Vice President’s Office, Honourable Balogun Koroma, delivered the keynote address and officially launched the Ombudsman Strategic Plan 2009 to 2013.
Justice Cowan’s appointment in March 2008 as Ombudsman, presented an opportunity to chart a new direction for the Office of the Ombudsman .The development of a five-year Strategic Plan was considered an appropriate instrument by which to proceed. The Plan provides strategic direction for the Office and ensures that an effective, properly staffed, organised and well equipped secretariat is created.
In line with addressing the challenges to help in the promotion of administrative fairness, the Ombudsman’s priority goals are to:
•Ensure a high level of awareness of the services of the Office of the Ombudsman, improve service delivery, strengthen complaint handling and improve people’s perception of the office.
•Strengthen the institutional capacity of the office and provide effective support for its programmes.
•Establish and maintain constructive relationship with the community, government agencies, human rights institutions and other stakeholders, in the observance of the rule of law.
•Maintain the independence of the Office of the Ombudsman in the resolution of complaints, without favour or discrimination.
•Promote administrative justice, prevent and reduce corrupt practices and abuse, and promote high standards of integrity in government agencies.
The ACC has embarked on the process of declaration of assets by government officers. Thousands of declarations have been submitted and kept in boxes. The procurement of i2 software has improve the ability of the Commission to keep and manage high and voluminous records within the commission.With its new powers of prosecution the provision of Case Map will greatly enhance the Commission’s ability to effectively keep track of cases in court and analyse evidence and facts with a view to ensuring a successful prosecution within a relatively short period of time.
Four staff of the commission will travel to Investigative Software Solutions (ISS) in South Africa in May to undertake three weeks comprehensive training of trainers, tailored specifically for the needs of the commission from 11th to 28th May 2009.
In a related development, the ACC also received Office equipment and supplies to the tune of £23,500 on the 15th April 2009.
| 
