By: Mohamed Jalloh
The name Marcella Samba could be a household name in the civil society fraternity but questions keep propping up regarding her integrity and independence in apolitically dilating on national issues.
In fact, her voice on national has been rendered of no effect as her camaraderie in the civil society space has queried her honesty and uprightness in how she managed the National Elections Watch (NEW).
The National Elections Watch is a conglomerate of over 100 Civil Society Organizations (CSO`s) whose key mandate is elections observations.
Concerned members of NEW has borne the brunt of the machevalien type of leadership exhibited by Queen Marcella Samba.
Given that they can take the hit any longer, they have decided to spill the beans.
At the helm of affairs, she stands accused of marginalizing other members of the organization who doesn’t share her one-sided opinions on sensitive national issues.
The irony becomes glaring. Here is a woman who normally calls on politicians and political parties to open up the democratic space for women, minority, and disadvantaged groups.
But alas! In her own dominion, she cannot practice what she preaches.
Her actions could be best interpreted as a dictator in her own domain.
NEW being a conglomerate of CSOs, must seek consensus and unanimity amongst its members especially the executive before taking a position on national issues.
By speaking with one voice, the risk of dissension of opinion within a single organization could be avoided.
Where there is harmony of position, Sierra Leoneans would be convinced that NEW is speaking on their behalf.
However, Madam Dictator could not elicit different thoughts before making her rantings on the media on delicate national issues.
It is therefore advisable for madam know all to be schooled on the democratic model of decision making as opposed to the autocratic model which she has consciously or subconsciously adopted.
Civil Societism is not a business venture where the Chief Executive dishes out orders to be swallowed hook line and sinker by subordinates.
Thus, it is necessary if not indispensable to bring about the views, insights, analysis and interpretations of other members before taking media interviews.
It is true that what madam Samba might see as “A” another executive member of NEW might see as “Z”.
Therefore, consensus building is crucial to eliminating disagreement within a civil society alliance composed of more than 100 organizations.
She refuses to grasp the idea of plurality of thought, where every shades of opinion are appraised before settling on a common decision accepted by all.
This the democratic model of decision making!
When a leader is dictatorial, such as Mercella Samba she chokes every opportunity for proper scrutiny.
In fact, she stands accused of lacking accountability in respect of donor funds received for the running of NEW. It could simply be interpreted. Marcella Samba has lacked the trust and confidence of the people of Sierra Leone to speak on their behalf.
As an alternative in restoring good administrative governance:
Madam Samba has been admonished to develop a culture of transparency and consultation within its members encompassing various regions and districts before public statements are made on sensitive national issues on behalf of the coalition.
In fact, a general meeting must be convened to thrash out a lot of issues touching the organizations credibility. This must be done immediately to save the face of NEW.
