By Forum staff writer
President Julius Maada Bio has announced plans to review the number of Paramount Chief Members of Parliament, with a proposal to increase their representation from one to two members per district.
The President made the announcement on August 24, 2026, while delivering the State Opening Address for the Fourth Session of the Sixth Parliament of the Second Republic.
President Bio said the proposed review recognises the important role traditional leaders continue to play in community leadership, peacebuilding and social cohesion across Sierra Leone.
He praised Paramount Chiefs and other traditional authorities for their accessibility and impartiality, noting that their contribution remains important to the country’s governance system.
“A Technical Committee, led by the Honourable Vice President, will examine the proposal to increase Paramount Chief representation in Parliament from one to two representatives per district. Its work will be consultative, evidence based and firmly grounded in our Constitution and laws,” President Bio said.
The President’s proposal will now be examined by a Technical Committee under the leadership of Vice President Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh.
According to President Bio, the committee will consult relevant stakeholders and assess the proposal against existing constitutional and legal provisions before making recommendations.
The proposed increase would give traditional leaders a larger presence in Parliament and potentially strengthen their participation in national decision making.
The announcement forms part of the government’s wider decentralisation agenda, which seeks to transfer more responsibilities to local authorities while providing them with the resources needed to deliver services effectively.
President Bio said decentralisation should result in practical improvements in communities, including better roads, markets, water supply, sanitation, healthcare and education.
He also stressed the importance of accountability and transparency at the local level, saying these principles are necessary to ensure that decentralisation produces meaningful results for citizens.
The proposed increase in Paramount Chief MPs could bring changes to the current composition of Parliament if the review results in a decision to adopt the proposal.
Paramount Chiefs have traditionally played a significant role in maintaining peace, resolving disputes and representing the interests of communities at the local level.
Supporters of the proposal could view increased parliamentary representation as an opportunity to strengthen the link between traditional authorities and national government.
However, the proposal will first have to go through the required consultation and legal processes before any changes can be made.
The Technical Committee is expected to examine the implications of the proposal and provide recommendations based on evidence, consultations and the country’s constitutional framework.
The announcement has therefore opened another discussion on the role of traditional leadership in Sierra Leone’s modern governance system and its place within the country’s parliamentary structure.
