On Thursday, August 8, 2024, the Deputy Speaker of the Parliament of Sierra Leone, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, officially launched the Legislative Compendium of the Fifth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone at the State Hall of Parliament. This comprehensive document captures the legislative achievements of the Fifth Parliament, covering the period from April 2018 to June 2023.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, the Deputy Speaker lauded the efforts of Parliamentary Network Africa (PNAfrica) in compiling the Legislative Compendium. He emphasized the significance of the document as a valuable resource that will be passed down through generations. Hon. Tawa Conteh highlighted the unique nature of the Fifth Parliament, noting that 70% of its members were newcomers with no prior parliamentary experience. Despite this, he praised their active participation in debates and their role in passing progressive laws that have significantly impacted the nation.
“The Fifth Parliament, often referred to as a Hung Parliament, was challenging to manage, yet we passed critical legislation. It is with great pride that I officially launch this Legislative Compendium of the Fifth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone,” declared the Deputy Speaker.
Sammy Obeng, Executive Director of PNAfrica, commended the leadership of the Sixth Parliament for recognizing the importance of the Legislative Compendium. He reaffirmed PNAfrica’s commitment to supporting the work of the Parliament, particularly through the Press Gallery and the Parliamentary and Civil Society Network (ParCSoNet). Obeng expressed optimism that the Legislative Compendium would serve as a valuable tool for advancing the work of the Parliament.
Momodu Lamin Deen Rogers, Director of Legislative Services in the House of Sierra Leone Parliament and consultant for the development of the Legislative Compendium shared insights into his extensive experience working with five Speakers and four Clerks of Parliament. He emphasized the professionalism and dedication of compiling the document, which he believes accurately reflects the legislative authority exercised by the Fifth Parliament.
Deputy Clerk of Parliament, Gilbert Bosco Nhabay, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the remarkable legislative milestones achieved by the Fifth Parliament. Despite being a hung Parliament, it successfully enacted several progressive laws, including the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act, which mandates a 30% quota for female representation in governance.
Other notable laws include the Sexual Offenses Act amendment of 2019, the Public Order Amendment Act of 2020, the Abolition of Death Penalty Act of 2021, the Cyber Security and Crime Act of 2021, the Political Parties Regulation Commission Act of 2022, and the National Security and Central Intelligence Act of 2022. Nhabay described the Fifth Parliament as the second-most open parliament in Sierra Leone’s history, a testament to its unique legislative achievements.
Hon. Abdul Kargbo, Leader of the Opposition, described the Fifth Parliament as dramatic and unpredictable, given its composition of multiple political parties. He noted that achieving a two-thirds majority required collaboration and persuasion across party lines. Having reviewed the Legislative Compendium, Kargbo expressed astonishment at the sheer volume of legislation passed, with more than 200 bills enacted during the Fifth Parliament’s tenure. He also reflected on the intense competition among political parties to field candidates with the appropriate qualifications and characteristics.
Hon. Mathew Nyuma, Leader of Government Business and Majority Leader of Parliament, described the Fifth Parliament as the best in Sierra Leone’s history. Despite the challenges of operating as a hung Parliament, members managed to unite and pass critical laws that have shaped the country’s democratic dispensation. Nyuma highlighted the strategic use of Standing Orders to maintain discipline among members and emphasized the Fifth Parliament’s role in challenging international standards for female representation. He underscored that the Legislative Compendium serves as a comprehensive record of the legislative work of the Fifth Parliament, providing valuable insights into its achievements and the impact of its committee activities.
Later on, the Executive Director of the Parliamentary Network Africa (PNAfrica), Mr. Sammy Obeng, paid a courtesy call on the Rt. Hon. Dr. Abass Bundu, Speaker of the 5th Parliament of Sierra Leone, at his residence in Freetown to present a copy of the Legislative Compendium to him. Speaker Bundu commended PNAfrica highly for the initiative, noting that it will be an important source of evidence to underscore the many achievements of the 5th Parliament.
As the Speaker of the tenure of Parliament that is covered by the Compendium, The Rt. Hon. Dr. Abass Bundu recounted the many challenges, successes and initiatives of that Parliament, and hoped that the current Parliament of Sierra Leone and successive ones will continue to keep the Legislative branch of Government playing its core functions of lawmaking, oversight, and representing the good people of Sierra Leone.
The Legislative Compendium offers an in-depth look at the laws and legislative instruments handled by the Fifth Parliament, as well as the activities of parliamentary committees and their contributions to the legislative process. This document stands as a testament to the dedication and hard work of the Fifth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone.
PNAfrica Comms
