By: Aminata Sesay
The Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, has sparked a bold national dialogue on inclusive governance by calling for an end to Sierra Leone’s long-standing winner-takes-all political system.
Speaking during a parliamentary sitting on Tuesday, the Speaker proposed that the Proportional Representation (PR) system currently used in parliamentary elections should also be applied to the executive branch of government. This would include the appointment of ministers, ambassadors, and heads of public institutions.
“The system we have now is dividing this nation,” Speaker Thomas declared. “When people believe that losing an election means being entirely excluded from governance for five or even ten years, they become desperate. And desperation breeds conflict.”
He argued that executive appointments should reflect the proportion of votes received by political parties in national elections. This, he said, would reduce political exclusion and foster national unity.
“If a party gets 40% of the vote, why not give them 40% of the ministries, 40% of the embassies, and 40% of the public boards?” he asked. “That way, no one feels left out, and we promote national cohesion.”
Speaker Thomas reassured Parliament that such a system would not diminish the authority of the President.
“The President will remain in charge. If someone misbehaves, the President can request their replacement through the party. This isn’t about weakening leadership it’s about ensuring shared ownership of our governance.”
Drawing from Parliament’s own structure, he noted that committee leadership is already shared among political parties, including the opposition without compromising effectiveness.
“In Parliament, we share committees. Some are chaired by the opposition. Has that destroyed Parliament? No it has strengthened it. So why can’t we apply the same principle to the executive?”
The Speaker also called for a shift from adopting foreign governance models to developing a homegrown democratic system tailored to Sierra Leone’s unique political and social realities.
“China has its own model that works for them. We must build a system that works for us. We understand our people, our history, and our challenges,” he said.
He further emphasized the human impact of political exclusion, highlighting the need to restore dignity through inclusive leadership. “Before asking citizens to sacrifice for their country, we must first empower them. Feed them. Give them dignity. Then they will be ready to serve,” the Speaker stated.
To take the discussion forward, he proposed a formal national debate in Parliament on inclusive governance and the possible expansion of proportional representation to the executive arm.
His position received strong support from the Leader of the Opposition and Minority Leader, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, who called for dedicated parliamentary sessions on the issue.
“Let’s set aside specific days for this discussion. It’s critical to the future of our democracy,” said Hon. Kargbo.
Aligning with the Speaker’s vision, Hon. Kargbo stressed that inclusive governance is essential to creating a more united and politically stable Sierra Leone.
“It’s time to move beyond the idea that only winners govern. Everyone should feel part of the process, even in opposition,” he added.
With growing bipartisan support, the Speaker’s proposal could signal a significant shift in Sierra Leone’s political landscape toward a more participatory, inclusive, and stable governance model.