By Rev. S.M. Williams (JP).
THE DEATH OF THE Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip will certainly have a ripple effect on the Commonwealth, Sic Transit Gloria Mundi (thus passeth away earthly glory). Hardly any national leader of a developed nation has lived such a glorious life. His was a life bereft of degradation, strife and electoral abuse. Why don’t we live in the detestable knowledge that we are headed for a common destiny?
Fast forward, let us have a look at consortism and what we could glean from the role of consort Prince Philip. He had no role in that constitutional monarchy. He was constrained to play second fiddle but he showed up on occasion to play “first” fiddle.
Our First Ladies in Sierra Leone and perhaps in other African countries have not been known to represent their spouses at official occasions. These roles have been reserved for Vice-Presidents and Prime Ministers.
Prince Philip had to map out a role for himself in order to escape from boredom. He must have realized that a mind-vacant is a mind distressed. Royalty has a plenitude of officials including ladies-in-waiting. What else could be left for Prince Philip apart from regimented royal functions? For a break of monotony, the Duke of Edinburgh Awards was one of the enterprises he embarked on to keep himself busy. He wouldn’t settle for mainly attending ceremonies or parties or playing Polo. Was he receiving pin-money? This brings us to the current First Lady of France and whether she is receiving pin-money. Not a noise was heard about the role and up-keep of former Mr. Thatcher, husband or first gentleman when Mrs. Margaret Thatcher was Prime Minister of Britain. Plato said: “Until Philosophers take to government or those who now govern become Philosophers, so that government and philosophy unite there will be no end to the miseries of states.” By and large Africa has not adhered to this edict owing to illiteracy and corruption. And this syndrome may ineluctably affect the top echelons of our governance like First Ladies.
Back home, the question of consorts cannot be wished away. It sticks with us like a knapsack. We can only put this problem behind us by electing bachelors or spinsters as Presidents of this country. The ongoing imbroglio about First Ladies using unbudgeted money could best be solved by amending the national constitution to include provisions for First Ladies or First Gentlemen.
The line between Presidential roles and what these first people do is so thin as to be seen only by a microscope. Of course they perform state functions unscheduled for which they should be paid. Fair enough. The investigation into the expenditures for the current First Lady, Mrs. Fatima Bio has roped in a call for the investigation into the expenditures of former First Lady Sia Nyama Koroma-a case of “draw rope, rope draw bush”. Both parties would be bruised if push comes to shove so they had better let sleeping dogs lie. Our first Prime Minister, Sir Milton Margai had a Private Secretary in lieu of a First Lady in the person of Ms. Sally Rogers and there was no press war. What’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.
Incidentally we have two ganders to deal with which makes it easier. The late Dr. Ahmad Tejan Kabbah did not kick a fuss about his wife being a First Lady. Mrs. Patricia Kabbah behaved unobtrusively.
Democracy is talking itself to death. We do not seem to know what we want and what is best for us. Democracy is beautiful in theory but we are bastardizing it in practice.
Monarchy including chieftaincy can be an excess baggage carried by the state. But monarchist power wisely limited is a safeguard of our rights & liberties.
