Concord Times (Freetown)
Ibrahim Tarawallie
5 November 2009
Freetown — Paramount chiefs in Sierra Leone are not against the reformation of the chieftaincy system even in tradition but the approach should not be one-sided, said PC Alhaji Issa B. Kamara.
He made the statement at the launch of a report titled: "Reform is not Against Tradition': Making Chieftaincy Revelation in 21st Century Sierra Leone.
He, however, told his audience "we cannot compromise reforms that intend to shatter the tenet of tradition for the satisfaction of alien predators."
The traditional ruler observed that chieftaincy system therefore needs to be strengthened without such alien ideas, in the name of reformation, to once more allow for the consolidation of peace and promotion of socio-economic and cultural development in all chiefdoms.
"Traditional justice and governance is important for maintaining peace and social order in chiefdoms across Sierra Leone," he suggested and noted that they appreciated the research made by various organizations into chieftaincy in the country. "What bewilders chiefs is the one way approach to the living process of chieftaincy," he said.
A representative from partners in conflict transformation, PICOT, Paul Koroma said chieftaincy reform could not work unless it takes the voices of the ordinary people.
He said the aim of the report was to stimulate debate around chieftaincy.
"The ordinary people want to see the chieftaincy system reformed and not abolished. The evidence of the report was drawn from public sources and the author's field work," he said.
Head of programmes at campaign for good governance, CGG, Marcella Macauley said the research was implemented by her organization and PICOT with funds provided by the Irish Aid.
She said chieftaincy remains a key cultural and political institution in the lives of many Sierra Leoneans and noted that the report would pave the way for the continued relevance of chieftaincy in the country.
Director of public sector reform unit, Dr Julius Sandy said chieftaincy was a key institution to the country's governance system.
"The government's ability to reform our institutions has not been clearly manifested," he observed.
Deputy minister of internal affairs, local government and rural development, Raymond Kabia while launching the report said his ministry appreciated the research report and that they would use the document as a working paper to help develop a policy.
"The country lack institutions that can conduct research on important issues," he noted.
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Politics! Politics! Politics is to blame for all the woes of Sweet Sierra Leone. Authorities must know that Chieftaincy is an integral part of good governance in our country but the greed and mean perception of politicians let them meddle into chieftaincy and reduce it to nonsense and to a point that it lost it values. Reform on chieftaincy is long overdue and should not just be focused on reforming the chiefs but also on government attitudes towards some of these local institutions. It is without doubts that some chiefs usurp their powers but equally so because government is corrupt and most times impose its wish on the people. For instance, even with the pending chieftaincy elections, the dates are imposed on the people without due consultations. Why? because the government has its own candidates in mind therefore, what matters to the people is not important. This by itself is corruption. Is this the way we reform when even the high quarters of governments remain unreformed? Then what type of reform are we talking about here?. I believe that in real democracy, the approach should not be Top Bottom but rather the other way. Let it come from the governed with whom government has a social contract. A few suggestions should be, (a) Reform government apparatus that oversees these institutions with specific guidelines drawn up by Parliament, (b)Appoint a watchdog that comes from various representations to oversee these apparatus also with specific guidelines (c) Empower Chiefs to discharge their duties within their bounds with limited or no interference from government or politicians (d) Develop detailed job description fro PCs with their limits. All these should be done in consultation with every party concerned instead of having someone sitting an a big air conditioned office in Youyi Building or Secretariat singularly deciding what he/she thinks is good for the people. This system will ensure liberty in the social contract between government and the governed and usher in peace, economic prosperity and development. I would even further suggest that all pending activities pertaining to Chieftaincy be put on hold until some of these reforms are put in place so as to have a starting point.
Politics! Politics! Politics is to blame for all the woes of Sweet Sierra Leone. Authorities must know that Chieftaincy is an integral part of good governance in our country but the greed and mean perception of politicians let them meddle into chieftaincy and reduce it to nonsense and to a point that it lost it values. Reform on chieftaincy is long overdue and should not just be focused on reforming the chiefs but also on government attitudes towards some of these local institutions. It is without doubts that some chiefs usurp their powers but equally so because government is corrupt and most times impose its wish on the people. For instance, even with the pending chieftaincy elections, the dates are imposed on the people without due consultations. Why? because the government has its own candidates in mind therefore, what matters to the people is not important. This by itself is corruption. Is this the way we reform wheneven the high qaurters of governments remain unreformed? Then what type of reform are we talking about here?. I believe that in real democracy, the approach should not be Top Buttom but rather the other way. Let it come from the governed with whom government has a social contract. A few suggestions should be, (a) Reform government apparatus that oversees these institutions with specific guidelines drawn up by Parliament, (b)Appoint a watchdog that comes from various representations to oversee these apparatus also with specific guidelines (c) Empower Chiefs to discharge their duties within their bounds with limited or no interferance from government or politicians (d) Develop detailed job description fro PCs with their limits. All these should be done in consultation with every party concerned instead of having someone sitting an a big air conditioned office in Youyi Building or Secretariat singularly deciding what he/she thinks is good for the people. This system will ensure liberty in the social contract between government and the governed and usher in peace, economic prosperity and development. I would even further suggest that all pending activities pertaining to Chieftaincy be put on hold until some of these reforms are put in place so as to have a starting point.