Kamara Criticizes First Lady's Role in Hospital Inauguration

Kamara Criticizes First Lady's Role in Hospital Inauguration

Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara, an All People’s Congress (APC) flagbearer aspirant, has voiced reservations regarding the First Lady’s central involvement in the inauguration of the new Military Hospital at Teko Barracks, suggesting her participation may constitute a procedural overreach.

The event, officially classified as a state ceremony and held on Tuesday, 18 November 2025, saw the First Lady deliver a keynote address and perform the official ribbon-cutting. Kamara contended that such a prominent function is typically reserved for officials with a specific constitutional mandate.

Kamara asserted that the First Lady’s participation, absent a constitutional or statutory basis, “introduces a clear conflict of interest and risks diminishing the constitutional role of the Vice President.” He further suggested that her role could potentially blur the lines between official state duties and political objectives, particularly in light of the ‘Ebema’ movement (FMB 2028), which is reportedly positioning her for a presidential bid in the upcoming elections.

He highlighted that, according to Section 54(1) of the Constitution, the Vice President would ordinarily be the designated official to deputize in such capacities, thereby upholding the institutional integrity of the event and the respective offices.

The new Military Hospital at Teko Barracks represents a significant enhancement to Sierra Leone’s defense infrastructure, aimed at elevating healthcare provisions for military personnel and their families.

Kamara has urged for strict adherence to constitutional roles during state functions. As of the time of reporting, the First Lady has not issued a public response to the concerns raised.