Sierra Leone has gained fresh recognition on the African stage after the Clerk of Parliament, Karmoh Kondemeh Conteh, was overwhelmingly elected First Vice President of the Association of Clerks and Secretaries General of African Parliaments (ASGAP).
The election took place during the Sixth Annual Conference of ASGAP, hosted at the Pan African Parliament (PAP) in Midrand, South Africa.
The week-long conference, which officially opened on September 27, 2025, brought together parliamentary administrators from across the continent to share experiences and strengthen the role of parliaments in Africa’s democratic growth.
Mr. Conteh, who only recently took up office as Clerk of Sierra Leone’s Parliament following his appointment by President Brigadier (Rtd.) Dr. Julius Maada Bio, was praised for his eloquence, professionalism, and sound knowledge of parliamentary administration. These qualities earned him the respect of his colleagues and ultimately, his election to the senior continental post.
During the discussions, he called for greater financial sustainability of ASGAP, proposing that contributions be aligned with existing African Union arrangements instead of placing additional burdens on national governments. His proposal, aimed at promoting transparency and accountability, was widely welcomed.
The conference produced several outcomes, including:
* The election of new officers with Morocco as President, Sierra Leone as First Vice President, and Burundi as Second Vice President.
* Adoption of a revised ASGAP constitution and rules.
* A review of African Union treaties with renewed commitments to speed up their domestication across national parliaments.
* Debates on Africa’s role in global parliamentary networks.
In recognition of his strong contributions, Mr. Conteh was also invited to chair one of the key sessions of the meeting.
His election is being viewed at home as a big win for Sierra Leone, placing the country at the centre of Africa’s parliamentary leadership and reaffirming its commitment to good governance and regional cooperation.
