Acceptance speech by Hon. Abass Chernor Bundu, Speaker of the Sierra Leone Parliament on the occasion of his re-election as speaker at the second sitting of the sixth Parliament in the well of the Parliament of Sierra Leone on July 18, 2023.
Honorable Members of Parliament, Good Clerk of Parliament,
Through your collective vote on Thursday, July 13th, in accordance with the provisions of Section 79 of the Constitution (Act No. 6 of 1991), you, the Members of Parliament, made a momentous decision. You overwhelmingly chose to renew my mandate and place your trust and confidence in me by re-electing me as the Speaker of this Sixth Parliament of the Second Republic. I am deeply grateful for the singular honor you have bestowed upon me to continue serving my beloved country, Sierra Leone.
By taking the oath of office, I have sworn to faithfully and conscientiously discharge my duties as the Speaker of this Sixth Parliament, upholding the sacred and supreme law of the Constitution of Sierra Leone and preserving the laws and customs of Parliament without bias or prejudice. This is a solemn commitment, and as a fallible human being, I humbly implore the guidance, protection, wisdom, strength, and fortitude of Allah Almighty to fulfill this solemn pledge and deliver service to our nation to the satisfaction of all its citizens.
Honorable Members,
I hope that all of you have a true understanding of the meaning and significance of the solemn oath of office that you all swore as Members of Parliament. In case anyone has any doubts about its importance, let me take a moment to explain.
Seated in this chamber as Members of Parliament, we bear one of the greatest responsibilities that anyone can undertake for our country. We alone possess the power to make laws for Sierra Leone, thereby ensuring peace, security, order, and good governance. This power is vested in us by the Constitution of Sierra Leone, which is the supreme law of the land. Each member has been provided with a copy of this vital document along with the Standing Orders of Parliament. By the principle of separation of powers, we are now obligated to staunchly defend and protect this power.
To emphasize the weightiness of Parliament's power, it is enshrined in Section 73 of the Constitution. This power cannot be taken away from us, and any attempt to do so requires the approval of at least two-thirds of all Members of Parliament and a referendum of the people. Section 73, along with other provisions listed under Section 108, is considered an entrenched provision of the Constitution. Furthermore, anyone attempting to suspend, alter, or repeal Section 73 or any other provision of the Constitution without the express authority of Parliament may be charged with treason, a serious offense that was recently changed from a capital offense to life imprisonment.
Honorable Members,
Power does not exist in isolation; it requires a companion: responsibility. We must also recognize the important responsibilities borne by every Member of Parliament, as enshrined in the Constitution. Section 97, in particular, mandates every Member of Parliament to uphold the dignity and image of Parliament in all their activities, both within and outside the Parliament. As representatives of the people, we must refrain from any conduct that seeks improper personal enrichment or alienation from the people.
The solemn oath sworn by Members encapsulates these responsibilities. It binds us to bear true faith and allegiance to the Republic of Sierra Leone, uphold and defend the Constitution, and faithfully and conscientiously discharge our duties as Members of Parliament. There can be no higher responsibility than upholding and defending the Constitution. As gatekeepers of the country's principles, values, and virtues, including the supremacy of the Rule of Law, we must demonstrate unwavering commitment to defending the Constitution and refrain from actions that violate it. Should any Member find themselves in a situation that may be perceived as a violation of the Constitution, I urge them to consult with the Clerk of Parliament for guidance on remedying the situation discreetly.
Honorable Members,
This advice is not meant to intimidate or frighten but rather to ensure that Members are well-informed and compliant with the demands of the Constitution from the very beginning. Failure to take appropriate action and later being found in violation of the Constitution can have serious and lasting consequences.
Let me now turn to another crucial responsibility of Members of Parliament: translating policy directives from the Executive into law. In the Fifth Parliament, despite being a Hung Parliament without a clear majority, we achieved extraordinary results over the past five years. We held numerous plenary sittings, passed significant legislation, approved constitutional and statutory instruments, ratified treaties and conventions, and presented reports from committees and delegations. These accomplishments were unprecedented in the history of the Parliament of Sierra Leone.
Among the groundbreaking laws passed during the Fifth Parliament were the repeal of oppressive sections of the Public Order Act, 1965 to safeguard journalists' freedom to practice, the abolition of the death penalty, the Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment Act (GEWE Act), and Section 58 of the Public Elections Act, both enacted in 2022. These laws have contributed to progress in our nation, including the appointment of 33% women in the government and increased women's representation in Parliament. These achievements deserve recognition and praise.
Honorable Members,
These accomplishments set the stage for even greater achievements in the future. The Sixth Parliament has a pre-established priority agenda aligned with the Five Game Changers articulated in the Manifesto of the Second Administration of the President. Our foremost priorities include bolstering agricultural productivity for food security and inclusive economic growth, investing in human capital development to nurture 21st-century skills, creating employment opportunities for our youth, revamping the public service for efficient service delivery, and focusing on technology and infrastructure to drive sustainable economic growth.
Throughout my speech, I have emphasized the importance of hard work. This has been the guiding principle of my life. I come from humble beginnings, and hard work has been the key to my personal achievements. I mention my background not out of arrogance but to demonstrate that I am driven by the ambition to serve and leave a legacy for others to follow. In every office I have held, my commitment to hard work, backed by intellect, experience, consistency, honesty, and results, has been unwavering.
Since assuming the role of Speaker in the Fifth Parliament, my dedication to service and achievements speak for themselves. I have never been enamored by the glamour of high office but rather driven by a desire to deliver and make a positive impact.
Honourable Members,
Allow me to conclude with a personal confession. Throughout my professional life, the late Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew, has been my sole mentor and source of admiration. I had the privilege of meeting him and observing his conversations with his peers during Commonwealth Summit Meetings. He transformed Singapore from a poverty-stricken island into a prosperous nation within a short span of 40 years. Sierra Leone, with its abundant natural resources and potential, can achieve similar transformation and prosperity with the right leadership, determination, and focus.
To realize this vision, we must be united, resolute, and unwavering in our commitment to transformation and prosperity. We owe it to our people to deliver, even amidst global crises. Singapore's example should inspire us to aim for greatness.
Starting from this Parliament, we can establish values that others can emulate. Let us begin by cultivating a culture of respect for time. When the Standing Orders stipulate a starting time of 10 o'clock and an end time of 3:00 pm or beyond, let us all agree to adhere to these guidelines. Let the Sixth Parliament set an example for the nation, showcasing a new work ethic.
Once again, I express my deepest gratitude for your kind attention and for re-electing me as the Speaker of this Sixth Parliament. May Allah bless us all and bless Sierra Leone.
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