By Musa Nikawa
In one of the most candid and emotionally charged moments witnessed in Parliament this year, Speaker Segepoh Solomon Thomas described Sierra Leone as “a sorry state” while presiding over proceedings on Friday, 31 July 2026, during the debate on the Supplementary Appropriation Act, 2026.
The Speaker made the remarks from the Well of Parliament as Members concluded deliberations on the supplementary budget, which was subsequently enacted with the support of both ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and opposition All People’s Congress (APC) Members of Parliament.
After listening to extensive contributions from both sides of the House, Speaker Thomas expressed deep frustration over what he described as poor institutional coordination and the persistent tendency of public officials to shift responsibility rather than confront the country’s pressing challenges. “We’re a sorry state. We’re a sorry state. But I’m hopeful,” the Speaker declared, drawing the attention of Members across the political divide.
Earlier in his intervention, Speaker Thomas emphasized that the Minister of Finance could not be expected to resolve every governance challenge, stressing that ministries, departments and agencies must independently discharge their constitutional and statutory responsibilities. “Of course, the Minister of Finance can’t do that alone, because if he tries to interfere in other departments and agencies, he will go all over the place,” the Speaker said.
He also criticized what he described as a growing culture of blame and political point-scoring, warning that public officials often wait until individuals leave office before making allegations against them instead of using established accountability mechanisms while those officials remain in office. The Speaker’s remarks followed extensive debate in which Members from both the opposition APC and the governing SLPP raised concerns over public expenditure, electricity subsidies, domestic revenue mobilisation, healthcare financing, education, and the implementation of key government development programmes.
Despite the vigorous exchanges and criticisms from both sides of the aisle, Parliament proceeded to enact the Supplementary Appropriation Act, 2026, authorising adjustments to the national budget to accommodate additional government spending and other fiscal priorities for the remainder of the financial year. The debate highlighted contrasting perspectives on the government’s economic management.
Opposition Members argued that ordinary Sierra Leoneans were yet to experience the benefits of the country’s reported macroeconomic gains, while government Members defended the supplementary budget as a necessary response to emerging fiscal pressures and national development priorities. Concluding his remarks, Speaker Thomas expressed optimism that Sierra Leone’s institutions could improve through stronger accountability, greater inter-agency cooperation, and more responsible leadership. His powerful declaration that Sierra Leone is “a sorry state” is likely to resonate well beyond Parliament, adding fresh momentum to the national conversation on governance, public sector performance, institutional accountability, and the urgent need for more effective leadership as the country confronts its economic and democratic challenges.
