By Alpha Amadu Jalloh
Yeah, Mr. President, like I was saying in our previous discussions, I want to acknowledge something that struck me: you’re not the only one leading our nation. My bad, I don’t want to place all the blame squarely on your shoulders, but since you are the one we elected, I naturally have to come to you with whatever concerns arise. As the head of state, it’s to you we must turn. However, I recognize that leadership isn’t a one-man show; no one holds a monopoly on power, and no man is an island. Even so, you bear ultimate responsibility for what happens under your watch.
Like I stated earlier, I believe you have every opportunity to lead differently. You only need to shift slightly from your current style and embrace the qualities of a leader truly in charge, a leader genuinely devoted to national development and the advancement of the people of Sierra Leone. Some issues really bug me, Mr. President, as it appears you have forgotten or are deliberately avoiding certain longstanding problems, particularly those affecting our youth, women, and girls.
On paper, Sierra Leone seems to boast one of the greatest democracies on earth. We’ve got the documents, the laws, and the institutions to prove it. But, Mr. President, where are the results? Our democracy seems hollow, as there is little tangible evidence that it’s working for the ordinary citizen. Institutions meant to uphold democratic values have been captured by the state. Yes, you are the head of state, but that means you’re also responsible for this institutional capture.
There’s this creeping feeling that you want to be in total control. But absolute control never works in a democracy. True, you’re in charge, but no leader should act as though he alone has all the answers. Even if the people around you constantly say “yes, sir,” don’t be fooled. Real leadership comes from fostering a team of independent thinkers—people strong enough to challenge you when necessary and to tell you “no” when required. Right now, I fear you are surrounded by yes-men, individuals without the backbone to speak truth to power. That only leads to complacency.
One issue swept under the rug is the KUSH pandemic that recently plagued Sierra Leone’s youth. Mr. President, as I speak to you now, young people are still dying in alarming numbers because of it. Yet the noise around this issue has quieted, much like the September rains we’re used to hearing: loud and dramatic but ultimately yielding little to no relief.
Oh, and before I forget, let’s talk about the First Lady, Madam Fatima Bio. There’s been a lot of noise around her too, particularly the “Hands Off Our Girls” campaign. Recently, Dr. Sylvia Blyden claimed that Madam First Lady herself was instrumental in drafting the Child Marriage Act. Now, that law is a powerful piece of legislation, a wonderful document on paper. But alas, the reality is disheartening. The very abuses the law was meant to address are still rampant. Rape cases, domestic violence, even murders—these tragedies are still happening every day, and there seems to be no meaningful action taken to stem the tide.
Yes, Madam First Lady secured funding for the “Hands Off Our Girls” campaign, but where are the results? We all remember the momentous day when girls across the country were given sanitary pads with great fanfare. But since then, nothing significant has happened. It’s as if that one grand gesture was supposed to solve everything. What happened to the momentum? What happened to other women’s organizations in Sierra Leone? Are they still functioning, or have they all been absorbed under the “Hands Off Our Girls” banner? Just wondering, I’m not sure.
Under your leadership, only civil society organizations aligned with your administration seem to be accessing government funding. In fact, some are even tapping into resources from international agencies close to your government. Meanwhile, other civil society leaders and independent groups, who might not share the same political leanings, are being left out in the cold. This narrowing of opportunities contradicts the inclusive and democratic principles our nation is supposed to stand for. Why is this happening, Mr. President? Why the silence on this growing inequality?
Like I told you earlier, no man can do it alone. You need strong, capable, and independent thinkers around you to make sound decisions. The problems affecting our country are too vast and complex for one individual to handle alone. Yet, somehow, it feels like you’ve taken on too much or like you’re trying to control too many levers of power. That’s not leadership, Mr. President. That’s isolation.
As we talk, I sense you might be tired after your address to the nation yesterday, announcing the 2025 National Population Census. Yes, this census will be important, but it must be more than just numbers on paper. We need data that reflects the realities of our people’s lives, their struggles, their needs, and their hopes for the future. Let’s discuss this further tomorrow, but for now, I’ll leave you with this thought: leadership is about more than holding the reins of power. It’s about guiding the country with empathy, with accountability, and with the future in mind.
Mr. President, I know the burden of leadership is heavy, but you were elected to carry that burden. What you do now will determine how history remembers you—not as the man who captured institutions for control but as the one who inspired hope, empowered the people, and truly led Sierra Leone toward a brighter future.
Until next time, Mr. President. Let’s continue this conversation soon.
