January 13, 2022
By: James Kamara-Manneh
President Julius Maada Bio will today 13th January, 2022 launch the government white paper on the constitutional review process in Freetown.
After nearly 17 years of trying to amend our 1991 constitution which saw the establishment of two Constitutional Review Commissions (Peter Tucker and Justice Cowan), the government of President Bio will finally through the office of the Attorney General and Minister Of Justice(AGMOJ) launch the government response to the recommendations as contained in the Justice Cowan Report.
It is hopeful that Sierra Leoneans are in anticipation to accept the progressive recommendations by the government of President Bio irrespective of political affiliations.
Sounding the views of prominent citizens, the head for Citizens Advocacy Network (CAN), Thomas Conteh said that the launch of the constitution review is welcoming and that resources have been subvented for that purpose. He mentioned about the many lacunas in the present constitution and further expressed optimism that the recommendations made will reflect the will of the people of Sierra Leone.
Conteh noted that there have always been challenges with human rights issues, but further envisaged that with the advent of the white paper it will dictate the protection of right to life and that the constitution should not be ambiguous but should be simple and readable by the ordinary man.
Ady Macualey Esq, was a bit cautious about the white paper since it is not yet in the public domain, however, he said the Justice Cowan recommendation is forward looking that will solidify the rule of Law and constitutional order in the country.
“In expectation, the government white paper recommendation will not be difficult to implement because these recommendations are the consensus of the Sierra Leonean populace”, Macualey said.
He reiterated that before the said recommendations were put together, the constitutional committee tour the entire country, meet with civil society groups, professionals from all works of life, traders, tribal headmen and more to seek their views on the constitutional review. Therefore, the Justice Cowan recommendation is a totality of views of the common man.
Macualey Esq said citizens are expecting nothing order than what was written in the recommendation.
Speaking on behalf of the main opposition party, the All People’s Congress (APC), Hon Mohamed Bangura who was former administrative committee member and former Minister of Information described the white paper as the ‘People’s Paper.’
Hon. Bangura said the position is hopeful that all the recommendations made at that time are not tampered with.
“Among the many recommendations made I am hopeful that the Presidential term limits remains the same-two term limit of five years office. “