People and profiles

SIR BANJA TEJAN-SIE GCMG

Sierra Leone has produced some of the most brilliant people in Africa whose contribution to society deserves to be reminder, if not education, for other people, particularly the young and future generations, to emulate. Sir Banja Tejan-sie (reverentially and fondly known as Sir Banja from the time of his knighthood in 1971 ) is one such eminent Sierra Leonean whose life and achievements should serve as a model to us all. The SLPP is proud that such distinguished citizen was our party member and comrade.

Though born and brought up in the provinces at a time when educational opportunities were concentrated in the capital Freetown area (then called the colony), he succeeded as one of the most brilliant lawyers Sierra Leone has seen. He was the second lawyer from the provinces, the first being another illustrious SLPP member Sir Albert Margai. Unsuccessful in two attempts to become a member of the Legislative Council in Sierra Leone his personal qualities, principles and had work nonetheless finally bore political fruit in his appointment to the then highest political office in the land in 1970 - Governor General of Sierra Leone, representing the Queen of England who was the official Head of State.

Sir Banja was born in Moyamba 7th August 1917. As son of a famous Muslim cleric and scholar Sheikh Ahmed Tejan-sie, Sir Banja inescapably imbibed Muslim education of the Koran in his early years, and up to his death on 8th August 2000 he always dazzled audiences when he delivered Muslim prayers in Arabic. Following his education at Bo School and Prince of Wales his early employment, as station Clerk in the Sierra Leone Railway and then as a hospital nurse clearly showed a young ambitious man searching for a mission and a path in life. At a time when colonialism was the ardent political issue for many African nations, Sir Banja's final determination to study law and his ardent interest in politics during and after his qualification as a lawyer points to a mission to play an active role in the emancipation from colonial rule of the people of Sierra Leone, the law profession only serving as a path in that direction.

On his return to Sierra Leone in the early fifties he immediately plunged into national politics through the Sierra Leone People's Party. Though he could not win a seat on the legislative Council in the 1951 election, his brilliance, commitment and productiveness in SLPP won recognition from other party members and the party hierarchy and in 1953 the young dynamic Sir Banja became one of two National Vice Presidents of SLPP. Sir Banja exemplified the virtue of deed rather than words. The young Sir Banja's acceleration to such high post in the party in such short time is a clear testimony of SLPP's tradition of recognising members with demonstrable attribute and service to the party irrespective of age. The combination of Sir Banja's discipline as a lawyer and assertions proved a formidable fort and asset:

At the time of demand for universal suffrage Sir Banja was one of the people appointed to the Royal Commission set by the colonial powers in 1954 to study and produce recommendations for electoral reform. The independence that Sierra Leone gained in April 1961 was in part a result of the endeavour of that commission.

After Sir Banja's second unsuccessful attempt in 1957 to win a seat in the Legislature he settled for a career in the judiciary that saw him first as a police magistrate and then as senior police magistrate. In these capacities he traveled and lived in various parts of Sierra Leone. Fond memories gained from these various regions stayed with him to the end. The experience gave him also a unique insight in the social and political dynamics of various sectors and peoples of our society. His usual affable personality won him a lot of friends including chiefs that proved invaluable political asset.

Providence, particularly political providence, has its strange way at smiling at people. In Sir Banja's case his political fortunes were shaped by the following happenstance:

• In 1962 after the then British Governor General Sir Morris Dorman left and was succeeded by Sir Lightfoot Boston who was then Speaker of the House, Sir Banja was elected in the vacant position of Speaker of the House.
• In 1967 came a military coup and the formation of National Reformation Council (NRC). Sir Banja was appointed Chief Justice.
• 1968 saw the return of constitutional rule and Sir Banja was appointed Acting Governor General.
• In 1970 Sir Banja became Governor General, the highest political Office in Sierra Leone then, a position he held until April 1971 when Sierra Leone was declared a republic. He left for England soon after. He was the last Governor General of Sierra Leone.

In England, Sir Banja continued as an ardent proponent of SLPP. Sir Banja was always an inspiration urging people to organise the SLPP. And since 1991 when mutterings of multiparty politics in Sierra Leone started and particularly since 1996 when it became a reality Sir Banja's unflinching commitment to SLPP included advice to the party members, reconciling varying opinions and emotions etc., in the reverential position of the father of SLPP in UK. His house was always open to everybody and anything concerning SLPP. Throughout his life, he maintained a voracious appetite for knowledge. And even as an Octogenarian he showed remarkable zeal for and adaptation to new technologies as was evident in his proficient mastery of computer and Internet skills and use of mobile phones. One of only a handful of Sierra Leoneans knighted by the Monarchy in England, he died age 83 with nearly 50 years of his life in active service of SLPP and at least a quarter of a century of active national political life. His name will remain in distinction and with very high international honour and acclaim - Sir Banja Tejan-sie GCMG ( Grand Commander of St Michael and St George).

A poignant political note in epitaph of Sir Banja, following his death, is culled from an "Appreciation" written by Professor C.P Foray, a distinguished historian and a member of a different political party. It reads " Although uncompromisingly patriotic and passionately fond of politics he was not by temperament the archetypal African politician. He believed that political chicanery had limits; he would not adopt certain measures nor pursue certain goals just to win votes"

Copyright 2001 SLPP

Joseph M Kallon Chairman - SLPP (UK & Ireland) December 2000

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