DEMOCRATIC CONSTITUTION MAKING The Constitution of Sierra Leone Act No 6 of 1991 is being reviewed currently. The broad-based Constitutional Review Committee (CRC) that was established is working round the clock to effect the necessary changes that the Sierra Leonean community desires. As this happens, consensus is building on the development of strategies for the consolidation of views to be presented to the Committee for inclusion into the final document. The Committee will collect views by all practicable means from Sierra Leoneans across the country, collate those views, analyze them and produce a final document comprising recommendations for constitutional amendments. The wishes and aspirations of the people is of paramount importance in this process. Public Submission forms have been developed for the nationwide consultations that will start in less than a fortnight. Nine sub-committees including judiciary, legislature, executive, the management of natural resources and the environment, state policy and human rights; information, communications and education; research, legal drafting and local government and other ancillary branches of government have been constituted. The above committees would be asking series of questions and receiving submissions from the public on issues that border on the various thematic areas. Two whatsapp groups have been constituted and the debate is becoming interesting more and more. The facebook page and group continue to attract more and more participants, the website (constitutionalreview.gov.sl) is loaded with the latest developments in the process. Submissions can also be made through the CRC email-crcsl1991@gmail The ball is now in the court of Sierra Leoneans to fully participate in the process. Any attempt to neglect the constitutional review process would be counter-productive. We need this document for the socio-economic, cultural and political advancement of the country. The youths are demanding a reduction in the age qualifications to contest the presidency from 40 to 35 years, the physically challenged want a 10 % representation in governance, the Implementing Partners of ENCISS are insisting on the separation of the Office of Attorney General and Minister of Justice, the women are demanding free education up to tertiary level, Save the Children, Health Alert and their partners are desirous to see the Free Health Care Initiative entrenched in the reviewed constitution, among other propositions. The call for a limitless tenure for the presidency has been observed in various media outlets including radio, television, newspapers, social media and the like. It comes in various connotations including but not limited to the following-After U na U, Third term for the Pa, etc. The reactions to these have not only been fierce and fearful but also scary as well, with counter-slogans like-After Gbagbo na U, After U na U..b etc. It must be noted however that the CRC has received no official submission on the limitless tenure of the presidency from any quarter as at the time of this publication. Whatever the requests, the CRC will do thorough civic education and public consultation, wide sensitization so as to garner that which will help the CRC make informed recommendations that will holistically replicate the truthful aspirations of the people of Sierra Leone. Decisions for constitutional change or amendment will be done by the 80 member CRC by consensus, in the absence of such, it is done by a vote of simple majority. The popularity of the views in all the districts will greatly inform the recommendations that the CRC would develop in the end. It is therefore expedient for people to take this review process very very serious and participate in it dispassionately because we need a good constitution for a better Sierra Leone.
Posted on: Fri, 02 May 2014 16:45:38 +0000
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