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During an interview with journalists, Honorable Mohamed Bangura, who represents Karene District under the All People’s Congress (APC) in Parliament, urged the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) and APC to publicly declare their stance on the upcoming debate of the Safe Motherhood Bill.
This bill is expected to have significant implications for women’s health and rights in the nation.
Bangura stressed the importance of transparency and political accountability on this critical issue that has sparked widespread national discussion.
He pointed out that in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, political parties publicly declare their positions on key issues such as immigration and the economy. Therefore, he questioned why such clarity has not been provided on the Safe Motherhood Bill in Sierra Leone.
“The Safe Motherhood Bill is one of the most significant pieces of legislation in recent years, and it has generated nationwide debate,” Bangura emphasized. “It’s crucial that we, as Members of Parliament, and the political parties we represent, make our positions clear to the public. This is not just about the technicalities of the Bill, but about the values and priorities we hold as political entities.”
Bangura, representing Karene District, highlighted that voters elect Members of Parliament based on the political party they belong to, not just the individual candidates. Therefore, he argued that the political parties themselves should take a firm stance on the Bill so that voters can hold them accountable in future elections.
“I will personally declare my stance on the day the Bill is debated in Parliament,” Bangura continued. “But I am calling on the SLPP and APC to do the same now. This is a matter of leadership. People deserve to know where their political parties stand on such an important issue.”
The discussion surrounding the Safe Motherhood Bill has garnered national attention, sparking a range of perspectives on its potential to enhance maternal healthcare and safeguard the well-being of women during pregnancy and childbirth. Bangura emphasized the importance of transparency from both sides to minimize ambiguity and unnecessary disputes when the Bill is deliberated in Parliament. This transparency, he argued, would also enable the public to grasp the intricate political dynamics at play.
Furthermore, Bangura urged the Inter-Religious Council and other civil society organizations to exert pressure on both the SLPP and APC to clarify their stances on the matter. “A united effort is necessary to obtain clarity,” Bangura emphasized. “This is fundamentally about preserving the lives of women, and the government and opposition must align on this issue.”
