,,An Independent member of the Sierra Leonean Parliament, Saka Sama has said that it is the inescapable duty of journalists and civil society organizations to kickstart the advocacy for the enthronement of Independent Candidacy in the constitutions of ECOWAS Member States.
While speaking with journalists on Thursday, on the sideline of the just concluded ECOWAS Parliament delocalised meeting in Monrovia, Liberia, Hon Sama reiterated that "the Community Parliament is over burdened by too many things to tackle like issues of migration, education, women empowermemt etc., that it may not have all time for the issue of Independent Candidacy.
"Besides, I think it is the duty of civil society organizations and journalists to set the ball rolling by raising their voices in advocacy for Independent Candidacy.
"As an Independent MP, you are guarantees freedom of expression without party inhibitions. Like me, I am a member of Parliament today because it is enshrined the constitution of my country for the parliament but the constitution does guarantee Presidential contest for Independent candidacy. Where to start from is advocacy by CSOs and journalists.
Hon Sama further revealed that more Independent MPs are needed at the ECOWAS Parliament for independent opinions. "The more Independent MPs we have in the ECOWAS Parliament, the better for robust debates. They are other of my colleagues here, like the MP from The Gambia, who is a second term legislature. Using our examples for advocacy, it will encourage others to pick up the challenge, the lawmaker said.
Besides, Hon Sama explains, some countries have made significant progress in this regard. All we need do is to intensify advocacy, so that more countries will embrace the idea by effecting constitutional reforms that will guarantee individuals freedom of whether to join a political party or go it alone as an Independent Candidate. He described political party system as capable of imprisoning ones voice.
On how he was able to surmount the odds to be elected, Hon Sama revealed that "he has always been a grossroot mobilizer."I have introduced dramatic change into political campaign system in rural Sierra Leone. While other politicians calls voters to the chief palace for meeting, I go from house to house.
"They are places even motor bike cannot reach. I trek there to meet with them from house to house. They have never seen anything like in the history politics in Sierra Leone. My essence is to get the people to own political position. By the time you are able to get the people to trust you, winning election as an independent candidate is like a walk in the park."
He further explained that his preferred approach to leadership is a servant leadership style "for example, we renovate schools, hospitals, markets and pay school fees for children in our constituency, all these are done from our salaries and allowances. Its all about sacrifice. My greatest joy is when I put smiles on the faces of people. That is why I said my preferred style is servant leadership."