“Ghana-must-go” bags to MPs to approve appointments” : How parliamentarians enrich themselves in Sierra Leone

“Ghana-must-go” bags to MP’s to approve appointments” Claudia

An Opinion by Claudia Anthony in Déjà-vu

Year after year in the House of Representatives, heads of government agencies, departments and ministries, carry wads of legal tender in “Ghana-must-go” bags to members of the parliamentary committee in charge of budget approval; as ‘stimulant’ to approve the formers’ budgets. During my brief time as Communications Consultant at the Political Parties Registration Commission, Justice Maitland Emeric Tolla Thompson (RIP) didn’t (refused to) offer a “Ghana-must-go” and was ‘punished’ with a cut in his proposed budget.

Two years ago, one of my elder sisters was named as a Commissioner; but couldn’t receive parliamentary approval several weeks later, because she hadn’t the “right contact” within the parliamentary committee on appointments, but more importantly, she didn’t know to whom to “make the gift”. So by the time the approval worked out – hurriedly – I couldn’t make it to the well of Parliament to pat her back.

Living a Lie

These are just two of the parliamentary internal mechanisms rendering disservice to their electorate. And my colleagues, parliamentary reporters, are unaware of the unethical points mentioned herein. That’s why citizens, the voters who elected the parliamentarians, had to learn their Parliament is the most corrupt institution in Sierra Leone – from perception surveys of the Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law and the Institute for Governance Reform – not from my colleagues in the parliamentary gallery.

Apology and Reform

That you demand justification for a perception survey shows you’re on the path to coerce your voters to eat their vomit. That’s a wrong start! So to all parliamentarians, instead of threatening your voters who named and shamed you for your corrupt practices; rather than intimidating an electorate whose support you don’t deserve and as opposed to your aggressive and hostile reaction, simply apologize to your electorate; the people that elected you into office to serve the country on their behalf.

Promise them you’ll sweep up the mess and institute reform. Many parliamentarians will read this piece. Some of them would think of nothing else than to demand I be arraigned before the House for contempt of Parliament. But until then, I remain Claudia, Claudia Anthony.