“SOMEBODY HAS TO BE IN CHARGE” SPEAKER BACKS POWERFUL PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE

By Desmond Isaac Macauley
During the ongoing debate on the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Bill, 2025, the Speaker of Parliament, Segepoh Solomon Thomas, has strongly defended the need for a powerful presidential office, arguing that the President must retain sufficient authority to effectively govern the country.
The Speaker cautioned lawmakers against making constitutional provisions based on their current political circumstances or the perception that a particular party is in power. He urged Members of Parliament to consider the long term implications of the proposed amendments, noting that political power changes hands and that the laws being made today will apply to future presidents and governments.
According to the Speaker, the constitutional framework should not be designed to favour or disadvantage any particular political party. He stressed that the law should serve every president, regardless of their political affiliation, adding that political parties currently preparing to win elections should also consider that they could eventually occupy the presidency.
Speaker Thomas further stated that he would not preside over a process that weakens or waters down the powers of the President. He argued that the presidency is a critical institution of the state and that the President must have the authority to make important decisions in the national interest without being unnecessarily constrained by other individuals or institutions.
The Speaker warned against creating a presidency where the occupant would have to constantly seek permission or approval from multiple individuals before taking executive decisions. He maintained that there must be a clear centre of executive authority, emphasizing that “somebody has to be in charge” and that the President must retain supreme executive authority to effectively lead the country.