Freetown, July 21, 2023 – Startling revelations have emerged from the latest report by the Institute for Governance Reform (IGR), shedding light on the parliamentary performance of Sierra Leone’s representatives. According to the Think Tank’s “Parliamentary Performance Tracker,” a concerning number of MPs hardly engaged in debates during the last parliamentary session.
The comprehensive analysis covered 277 parliamentary sittings held over the course of five years (2018 to 2023), involving 146 members. Shockingly, 40 MPs, representing nearly 28% of the assembly, either spoke only once or twice throughout the entire period or remained entirely silent.
A closer examination of the data reveals that an alarming 13 MPs remained mute throughout all 277 sittings, raising questions about their level of engagement and commitment to the parliamentary process.
Among the 13 MPs, there was only one female representative, while the rest were male. Furthermore, the distribution of silent MPs indicates that five belong to the All People’s Congress (APC), three hail from the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), and five hold positions as Paramount Chief MPs (PCMP).
Notably, there were no silent representatives from the National Grand Coalition (NGC), Coalition for Change (C4C), or Independent parties. It is also worth mentioning that seven of these silent MPs have been re-elected and will continue their tenure, while the remaining six have not returned to the parliament.
Of the seven re-elected MPs, three are from the SLPP, three are PCMPs, and one belongs to the APC, making up 9% of the 76 MPs who secured re-election. On the other hand, the six MPs who did not return to parliament include four from the APC and two PCMPs.
This report has raised concerns among citizens and political observers, calling for increased accountability and active participation from all members of parliament to better serve the interests of the nation.
As Sierra Leone’s democracy progresses, it is vital for elected representatives to be proactive and vocal, reflecting the voices and concerns of their constituents. The IGR’s report serves as a reminder of the importance of active engagement in parliamentary discussions to ensure transparent and effective governance. KXL/21/7/2023
| Gender | 1 – Female | 12-Males | ||
| PCMP’s | APC | SLPP | Total | |
| No debate | 5 | 5 | 5 | 13 |
| Re-Elected | 3 | 1 | 3 | 7 |
| Not re-elected | 2 | 4 | 6 |
