By Alpha Amadu Jalloh, “The Fox”
Mr. President, we need to have an honest conversation. I know you’re busy, but this one can’t wait. It’s about something that’s been troubling me and many others for a while now. You’ve placed a heavy burden on one man, Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, “The Prince of Kitchom.” This move is raising eyebrows across the nation. Why have you entrusted so many institutions to a single individual? Have you truly considered the implications of making one man seem like he holds a monopoly on knowledge?
It’s not just about what you think Dr. Yumkella can accomplish. It’s also about the qualified professionals already heading these institutions who feel sidelined. You’ve effectively told them, “You’re not good enough.” These are people with proven track records, people who were considered competent until you imposed “The Prince” on them. By doing this, you’re undermining not only their work but also your own leadership. You’ve created a culture of resentment, and believe me, Mr. President, it’s simmering just beneath the surface.
But let’s be real for a moment. I can’t blame you entirely for this, Mr. President. The truth is, “The Prince” himself has a part to play. He seems to believe he can do it all. Maybe he enjoys the limelight a bit too much, always wanting to be the man in every room, the one with all the answers. It’s a dangerous game, and it won’t end well for either of you.
You know, Mr. President, sometimes I watch you, and I see a man who’s disconnected from his role. It’s as if your heart, mind, and soul aren’t in this anymore. I understand the weight on your shoulders, but how did we get here? A man who hadn’t worked for nearly two decades suddenly became the leader of an entire nation. You didn’t rise through the traditional channels of hard work or public service, and it shows in the way you govern.
Yet again, I can’t lay all the blame at your feet. We, the people of Sierra Leone, are also responsible. We didn’t really know what we needed when we elected you. If we had, maybe we would have elected someone like “The Prince” in the first place. But even that might have been a mistake. Because, just like you, he seems to carry an inferiority complex when it comes to people with titles. “Dem, Dr. Dem,” as we say. It’s no wonder everyone around you, including your wife, is in a mad rush to collect titles from every corner of the earth.
Let’s talk about the Ministry of Energy, Mr. President. With all the educated and qualified people there, why did you feel it was necessary to impose “The Prince” on them too? It makes no sense. You’ve got three highly competent people running that ministry, but you seem to believe they need the oversight of a man who’s already spread too thin. Why?
Mr. President, when I criticize you, it’s not out of malice or personal vendetta. It’s because I care about this country. But I think you have a misconception about why people like me speak out. You seem to believe we have something against you or the small circle of yes-men around you. But that’s not it. We’re concerned because you’re stepping on too many toes, bringing a few people closer while pushing everyone else further away. You don’t think people notice? You don’t think they talk? Trust me, Mr. President, they do. And they aren’t happy.
Take Ben Kaifala, for example. “Hi Barb” has been your loyal soldier, promoting corruption from Kenema to the capital. But even he is disillusioned now, after he helped you overlook the criminal activities of your inner circle, Paran Tarawally, Kai Kai, and others. They’ve run amok with impunity, while people like Mrs. Lara Taylor-Pearce, once a fine, upstanding civil servant, were destroyed. Now, Mr. President, it’s a new set of faces surrounding you, and the pattern of destruction continues.
I’ve got a secret for you, but promise me you won’t tell anyone I told you. Several of your ministers are planning to resign. Yes, you heard me right. The dissatisfaction within your government is boiling over, and it’s only a matter of time before it becomes breaking news on BBC, CNN, and Al Jazeera. You’d do well to reshuffle your cabinet now before the situation gets out of hand.
Let me be frank with you, Mr. President, you’ve failed. And you’ve failed big. It’s not just me saying this; the entire country feels it. Look at your wife on social media, heaping praise on your recent speech as though she were the only one in that hall. It’s embarrassing, honestly. The speech was filled with dishonesty, and none of what you said reflects the reality of the people. You painted a rosy picture that exists only in your imagination. The streets are still flooded with hardship, and your words ring hollow.
You’ve been at the helm for long enough now to see that your policies aren’t working. Your governance style is driving a wedge between you and the people who should be your greatest allies. Instead, you’re left with a shrinking circle of yes-men, while the majority of your government and your people are disillusioned and fed up.
I’m not trying to attack you personally, Mr. President. I’m just speaking the truth, and I hope you’ll hear it this time. You still have time to fix some of this if you’re willing to listen and if you’re willing to act.
Until next time, Mr. President. Hopefully, we’ll talk again on Thursday, Insha’Allah.
