Sierra Leone News: Letter to the Editor: Doubt about the use of the title “Honourable”

Politics

Reading through few Sierra Leone newspapers over the Internet it is observed that the title “Honourable” may be used irregularly in Sierra Leone. Despite Sierra Leone is now an independent state, yet English is the official language as well as the official English usages. Therefore, articles and news in newspapers in Sierra Leone are not only to be written in correct English, but also to follow “English usages” properly. As far as is known, in English, the title “Honourable” is accorded only to members of parliament as well as Peers and those who inherit that title. Also lawyers are entitled to address each other as “Honourable” in court of law. Sierra Leone has not got any Peers nor are any Sierra Leoneans qualified to inherit the title “Honourable.” In view of the foregoing, it is my view that only members of parliament in Sierra Leone are entitled to be given the title “Honourable.” When formerly ministers of state were also members of parliament, it was proper to address them or for them to address themselves as “Honourable Minister.” But since the Sierra Leone constitution has long been amended whereby ministers are no longer members of parliament, therefore ministers of state are no longer qualified to be accorded the title of “Honourable.” They can only be addressed simply as Mr. Minister or Madam Minister; nor is any minister of state entitled to term himself/herself as “Honourable.” Also, when a person ceases to be a member of parliament, that person is no longer entitled to be addressed as Honourable nor can he/she term himself/herself Honourable. When His Excellency the President of Sierra Leone in his wisdom nominates someone to be a Minister of State and that person is subsequently approved by honourable members of parliament, the members of parliament do not confer the title of “Honourable” on that person. The person who is appointed minister of state indirectly becomes the servant of the citizens. Someone in Sierra Leone had few years ago written an article about the use of the title of “Honourable” in AWOKO, if I remember well. But his attempt at educating all concerned was apparently ignored. As a means of edifying all concerned, it will be desirable for government to clarify the official position regarding the correct use of the title Honourable by Ministers of State. By Ezekiel A. Coker, North Carolina, USA Monday September 05, 2016

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