CONSTITUTION
Of
LOKAGO DEVELOPMENT
PROGRESSIVE
ASSOCIATION
Motto:Unity, Progress & Development
BACKGROUND:
LOKAGO Development Progressive Association is a non political organization founded on the 27 th March
2018 by a host of locals and stakeholders residing within the Loko Town, Kamara Town, and Goleima
Farm Communities in the western urban of Sierra Leone. The membership is open to everybody whose
aim is to promote growth and development within the communities.
Opportunities for youths and deprived communities were the main causes for the eleven year civil war
in country. Since the war ended in Sierra Leone, the country has repeatedly been ranked the least in the
United Nation Human Development Index. Retrogressive indicators such as poverty, high illiteracy rate,
under developmental and lack of essential structural facilities, and inequality overwhelm the socio-
economic situation in the country.
Therefore it is against these backdrops that people within the community decided to come together in
association to help structure and manage the resource facilities within their community, with the help
and supervision of the Freetown City Council and the local tribal heads.
ARTICLE ONE
A). Name: The name of the organization shall be known and called “LOKAGO Development
Progress Association”
B). Motto: Unity, Progress and Development
ARTICLE TWO OBJECTIVES:
OBJECTIVE(S):
A) To identify, design, implement and monitor project/programs relating to community
development.
B) To establish social skills programs; through enlightenment of youths towards community
development and its participation.
C) To bring together various stakeholders, development groups into an umbrella organization
that could foster social growth within the community.
D) Serve as a formidable unit in championing development through lobbing and advocacy.
ARTICLE THREE (3): MEMBERSHIP:
Membership shall be opened to any person aged 18 years and above of either Sierra Leonean
or non-Sierra Leonean decent irrespective of sex, or social status and is eligible to become a
member provided such person:
1) ARTICLE FOUR (4):- EXECUTIVE MEMBERSHIP:
Executive membership should be select from ordinary members and given responsibilities in
running of the affairs of the association by the entire membership within a definite time of a
maximum of three (3yrs) years.
Members aspiring for any executive or committee position must have stayed within the
community for at least 5 years and must have been taking active roles in community
development]
All executive members must be willing to pay an executive registration fee of [Le………..]
I. An executive member can be removed from office and another person selected either
via a vote of no confidence which must generate ¾ support of the present executive or
via majority appeal from community stakeholders/members;
II. Such removal can be triggered, if he/she misuse his/her office, or is incompetent for the
office he/she holds.
ARTICLE FIVE (5):- ASSOCIATION'S STRUCTURES:
The association shall comprises of the Elders Committee and the Youth Committee
The elders committee shall be in direct control and the main custodian of the association’s
assets and properties whiles the youth committee shall be the working force of the association,
identifying and championing development activities within the communities with guidance
from the working committee whose head shall be selected by the elder’s executive body.
Both Elders and Youth committee shall have their respective executive body with the youth
committee directly answerable to the elders committee
The Executive committee is the legal and authoritative body of the Association charge with the
responsibility of administering the activities of the entire Association (both Parent and Youth
body).
This body shall meet once a month and in the event of an emergency, the chairperson shall
summon a meeting on the advice of the executive.
The Community Tribal Heads
They act as advisers to the main executive body and should be informed of development
activities planned or taking place within the community.
They are entitled to 20% of proceeds from community fund as honorary gratuity
They should not in any way have anything to do with community fund though they can request
for income and expenditure report and request for the auditing of account if the need arises.
ARTICLE SIX (6):-THE EXECUTIVE
Chairperson
Assistance Chairperson
Secretary-General
Assistance Secretary-General
Treasurer
Financial Secretary
Assistant Financial Secretary
Internal Auditor I
Internal Auditor II
Organizing Secretary I
Organizing Secretary II
Public Relation Secretary I
Public Relation Secretary II
Chairlady
Assist. Chairlady
Whip
Chief Adviser
Assistant Chief Adviser
Working Committee Coordinator
Assistant Working Committee Coordinator
The chairperson of the Youth Committee is automatically a member of the main
executive body
ARTICLE SEVEN (7):-FUNCTIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE STRUCTURE:
THE CHAIRPERSON:
a) Shall co-ordinate, supervise and monitor the implementation of the organization's
activities.
b) Shall represent or advocate for the organization on all diplomatic affiliations of the
Association.
c) Participate on all various committees of the Association.
d) Validate all action plans and proposals presented and developed by the planning and
technical committee.
e) Shall also interact with donor agencies and local councils within operational areas, to
ensure the smooth running of the Association.
ASSISTANCE-CHAIRPERSON:
a) Performs the role of the chairperson whenever he/she is absent.
b) Perform any other function when necessary.
THE SECRETARY-GENERAL:
a) Shall be the head of the secretariat he/she records and direct all minutes and correspondence.
b) Shall prepare all correspondents of the organization.
c) Shall take minutes of organizing meetings.
d) Shall work with sub-groups secretaries to set up a viable secretariat.
e) Shall take stock on all activities of the working groups.
f) Shall prepare agendas for programs and meeting.
ASSSISTANCE SECRETARY-GENERAL
a) Shall assist the Secretary-General when he/she is not in position to carry out his/her
duties.
THE FINANCIAL-SECRETARY
a) Shall be responsible for the collection of monies paid and take records on all receipts
and expenses of the organization.
b) Shall team up with the treasurer to organize fund raising activities.
c) Shall participate on budget preparation and allocation
THE TREASURER:
b) Shall keep all monies of the Association for onward deposition to the association's
account (i.e. banking).
c) Shall participate in the budget preparation and allocation process.
d) Shall keep records of all bank deposits and withdrawals and how such monies are used.
e) Shall be the sole custodian of petty cash set aside for immediate use.
f) Shall team up with the financial secretary in the preparation of monthly financial report.
THE INTERNAL AUDITORS:
a) Shall perform on the spot audit when necessary and evaluate the organization to ensure
accountability on the use of funds of the organization.
b) Shall audit the implementation of activities.
c) Shall perform all other functions relating to his/her duties.
THE ORGANIZING SECRETARY:
a) Shall take initiative in organizing activities agreed on by the executive.
b) Shall organize sub-group communities and report to planning/working committee
coordinator.
c) Team up work with working committees to access areas of interest in the target
communities.
d) Shall perform all other functions as and when required..
THE WHIP
a) Shall be responsible for order and discipline at meeting and all activities embanked by the
organization.
ARTICLE EIGHT (8):- ELECTIONS:Done every three years, at the end of their tenure of office, they shall
retire but eligible for re-election conducted by secret ballot Conducted by two independent persons to
be appointed by the chairperson, who are non-members of the organization to preside as electoral
commissioners.
There shall be two (2) types of elections and they are:
1. General Election: This is to be held at the expiration of the term of office of the entire
executive committee. And the duration of the executive position is three (3yrs) years per term.
2. Bye-Elections: This shall be held at a general meeting of all members of the organization.
Any distinguished personality to be appointed by the co-coordinator, shall acts as electoral
commission.
ARTICLE (8) EIGHT:
There shall be one type of election that is when two people vow for one position.
BYE ELECTION; this shall be held at a general meeting of all members of the Association when
any distinguished personality is to be appointed by the coordinator, to act as electoral
commission
ARTICLE NINE (9):-MEETINGS
Meetings shall be held to discuss the smooth running of the organization as follows:
a.) Last Sunday of every month
b) Emergency or special meetings of the organization shall be conveyed by the executive and
held wherever required. The following shall applicable to all meetings:
c) Attendance at meetings shall be mandatory.
ARTICLE TEN (10):-SOURCE OF FINANCE:
i. Member’s monthly contribution.
ii. Fund raising programs.
iii. Donations from goodwill personalities
iv. Project proposals write-up to solicit funds.
v. The association's bankers shall be with any recognized bank in Sierra Leone as may be
determined by the executive body. The executive shall be responsible for all policies
relating to the administration of finance. Signatories to the association's account shall
be:
1) The chairperson
2) The Treasurer and
3) The secretary-General
[The chairman and any other person]Any two of the above can sign in the case of withdrawals.
They shall report to the executive any financial transaction. The organization's account shall be
audited when necessary.
Debatable
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ARTICLE ELEVEN (11)-BYE-LAWS:
1. MEMBERSHIP: Membership is open to all with special criteria set up to qualify would be
members’ access. Whosoever wants to join the association must have an interest in community
development. He/she must be credible, honest and efficient and of good character. He/she
must be ready to complete the association’s form that is available at a minimal cost etc.
2. DUES TO MEMBERS: Any money due to members or past members shall be set in payment
of such money. Every member shall nominate in writing his/her next of kin, to whom in the
event of death or medically proved insanity or disability, the organization shall pay a sum due
him/her at the time of occurrence.
3. LOANS FROM THE ASSOCIATION: Any member who loans or stand surety shall be asked to
pay a refund of same, failing which legal actions will be taken against such a member. All
payment of loans shall be made within three months from the loan period; failing to pay
requires negotiation for extension of time proffered by the executive in any event, not above
six months of the total time for payment.Any member who deliberately refuse to pay within the
total period of six months shall have to face court actions.
4. DEFAULTERS: Any member who is default to his/her financial obligation for a period of three
months, shall in the first instance, be asked to pay by the financial secretary. Failing to will
result to him/her ceases being a member of the organization at the end of the fourth month
without any claim for a refund of any kind.
1. Year’s activities of the associations with statement of account.
2. To decide upon the disposal of the surplus in accordance with the provision of the law.
3. To consider any communication or grant received from government or donor agency.
10. MEETING ATTENDANCE: It shall be the duty of every member to attend meetings. The
organization shall impose fines on members who without tangible reasons come to meeting
late or neglect to attend. All decisions and other issues pertaining to the organization shall be
decided by the majority of the votes of members present at a general meeting. Each member
shall have only one vote.
ARTICLE TWELVE (12):- AMMENDMENT:
All or any part of this constitution can be amended by two-thirds majority vote at a general
meeting of members present. A proposal for amendment of any part of this constitution shall
be submitted in writing to the secretary-General on behalf of the organization two weeks prior
to the following sitting to the General meeting; adopted on this fourteenth day of October in
the year of our Lord two thousand and eighteen.
ELDERS
Sign: ------------------------------- Date: ------------------------
Abu Bakarr Kamara (aka. Buck Man)
CHAIRPERSON
Sign: -------------------------------- --- Date: ------------------------
Austin Williams
SECRETARY GENERAL
YOUTH
Sign: ------------------------------- Date: ------------------------
Musa Mansaray
CHAIRPERSON
Sign: -------------------------------- --- Date: ------------------------
Musa Samura (aka. Everer)
SECRETARY GENERAL
