On Monday 23rd October 2023, a delegation from the Open Government Partnership (OGP) paid a Courtesy Call on the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly Hon. Gervais Henrie. The delegation comprised of Programme Manager Ms. M Kgothatso Semela, and Research Manager Mr. Gustavo Perez Ara. Accompanying the Deputy Speaker was the Clerk to the National Assembly Mrs. Tania Isaac, the Director General for Cabinet Affairs Ms. Florry Payet, and Deputy Cabinet Secretary for Policy Affairs Ms. Margaret Pillay.
Ms. Semela enlightened the Deputy Speaker on the role of OGP who’s mandate is largely focused on bringing together Government reformers and Civil Society leaders to create robust plans of action that create more inclusive, responsive, and accountable Governments. Ms. Pillay elaborated that the delegation is visiting Seychelles to conduct training and sensitisation workshops for both Government and Civil Society leaders on the OGP process.
The Deputy Speaker welcomed the delegation and discussed some of the achievements and undertakings of the National Assembly in enhancing the transparency of Government through continual oversight and legislative scrutiny. The OGP representatives invited Seychelles to showcase these developments and become a leader for the SADC region. Hon. Henrie also noted the need to improve the knowledge and capacity of both Members of the Assembly and Parliamentary Staff on these matters, to which Mr. Perez Ara proposed further engagement between the OGP and the National Assembly of Seychelles.
An agreement was made to conduct a capacity building session for Members and Parliamentary staff before the end of 2023. The Deputy Speaker then presented the delegation with a token of appreciation, before the meeting concluded.
