Honourable Ministers, I say Mr. Speaker of Parliament
I have read with rapt attention the ruling of the Speaker of the House of Parliament in which he stated that the title “Honourable” is reserved only for the President, VP, MPs and Judges and that ministers appointed by His Excellency, the Fountain of Honour should not be referred to as “Honourable”.
The content of this ruling is not only preposterous but very much ridiculous. I am sure on the day that motion was moved, debated and ruled upon, parliament was very idle; they virtually had nothing to do for the people of Sierra Leone on that day.
Now to the issue under consideration, which provision of our Constitution or any other law in our jurisdiction that prohibits Ministers appointed by His Excellency, the President of our Republic from being called “Honourable”? I am reliably informed and verily believe that our Speaker of Parliament has a degree law.
I am also reliably informed and verily believe that he was not called to any Bar in any jurisdiction in the world; thus his limitation in making rulings on legal matters.
If he were a lawyer, he would have referenced the legal provision(s) pursuant to which the said ruling was made. His ruling was based largely on his own understanding of the word “Honourable” and not on any legal reasoning.
By this ruling, Parliament continues to launch a direct attack on the Executive arm of government, something that has been one of its hallmarks since the inception of the Fifth Session of our Second Republic.
Ministers are appointed by His Excellency, the President and as such, an extension of the Presidency.
If the President is in the Speaker’s ruling is Honourable, but Ministers appointed by him are not? If the title “Honourable” is reserved for those referenced in the Speaker’s ruling, how about Ambassadors who are referred to as “Excellencies” because they represent the President abroad?
Mr. Speaker, our Parliament should be “Honourable” and therefore we expect “Honourable” things to be done in that House.
However, such a ridiculous ruling from our Speaker is definitely a scorn to our nation. I am ready to engage the Speaker fully on this issue when he cites the relevant legal provision that prohibits Ministers from using title “Honourable”.
Until then, I will advise our Ministers to completely disregard the said ruling and continue to use the title “Honourable” in their service to our nation. Honourable Ministers I say Mr. Speaker.
Ibrahim Kamara.
The Observer.
