By Alpha Amadu Jalloh
Mr. President, welcome back home. I hope and pray that your recent trip to Samoa brought you valuable insights and opportunities that will ultimately serve the people of Sierra Leone. I hear the Samoan people crowned you as a ceremonial king of the Kingdom of Migiagi. While that’s a lovely cultural honour, it’s a tradition of that village. It should stay as such and certainly shouldn’t be added to your list of titles here. We, the people of Sierra Leone, are most concerned with the leadership you offer us here on the ground.
Now that you’ve returned, I trust the Vice President has updated you on the pressing issues facing our beloved country. And there’s a pressing matter that I believe needs immediate redress. Mr. President, I urge you to swallow your pride and reinstate Mrs. Lara Taylor-Pearce and Mr. Tamba Momoh to their former positions as Auditor General and Deputy Auditor General of the Audit Service. A leader, they say, should have the courage to acknowledge when mistakes have been made, and it is in this spirit that I make this call.
To err, they say, is human. None of us is perfect, not even those who hold the highest office. In fact, it is often said that it is the willingness to admit mistakes that marks a truly great leader. Reinstating these individuals, along with a sincere apology, would be an act of grace, showing the nation that you, Mr. President, are committed to justice and integrity.
Yes, some people may advise you against this, fearing that it might be seen as a sign of weakness, a chink in the armor of presidential authority. But let us not forget that the highest honour a leader can attain is not in the unwavering exercise of power but in the fairness and wisdom that characterize true authority. By acknowledging this misstep, Mr. President, you wouldn’t lose credibility. On the contrary, you would gain the respect of those who value honesty and responsibility, both at home and abroad.
Mr. President, this is an opportunity to correct a significant wrong. Your leadership could set a transformative precedent, one where humility and respect for institutions guide our leaders’ actions. The situation surrounding the dismissal of Mrs. Taylor-Pearce and Mr. Momoh from the Audit Service has created a wound in our nation’s trust, one that won’t heal easily. But it can be mended by a genuine gesture from you.
Imagine the powerful message you would send by taking this step. Sierra Leoneans would see you as a leader who values the dignity of public office and recognizes the importance of skilled, dedicated civil servants. Reinstating these individuals would be an act of healing, a balm for a nation scarred by doubt and disillusionment in recent years.
You are, indeed, one of the luckiest presidents our country has seen. Time and time again, despite challenges and mistakes, you have been given opportunities to pivot, to set things right, to change course for the benefit of Sierra Leone. Yet, “ay ya na so yu lef dem fo pas,” these chances often slip away, leaving behind missed opportunities for genuine reconciliation and growth.
This is not to ridicule your position, but rather to highlight the importance of humility in leadership. Every Sierra Leonean knows that power is transient. It is the legacy of service, empathy, and justice that endures. Acknowledging the missteps and taking steps to amend them would show Sierra Leone, and indeed the world, that you are a leader with a rare blend of strength and compassion.
The Audit Service is a critical institution in our nation. Its leadership, experience, and independence are vital to holding our government accountable, ensuring transparency, and maintaining the trust of the people. By restoring Mrs. Taylor-Pearce and Mr. Momoh to their roles, you would be safeguarding the institution’s credibility, signaling to Sierra Leoneans and the international community that we value and protect the checks and balances that are the foundation of a healthy democracy.
Sierra Leone, like any nation, needs systems and institutions that citizens can rely on. When these systems are compromised, the very fabric of our society is undermined. Restoring these individuals to their rightful positions would reinforce the importance of competence and independence in public office—vvalues that are essential if we are to move forward as a strong, united country.
Mr. President, you may have noticed that our people are increasingly disillusioned by the leadership they see. We want a leader who acknowledges errors and takes steps to correct them. This is an unprecedented moment where you could redefine leadership for this generation and the next. In the face of adversity, Sierra Leoneans look to their leaders not for perfection but for integrity, courage, and a sense of duty that transcends personal pride.
I urge you to take this chance to mend fences. Apologizing, reinstituting Mrs. Taylor-Pearce and Mr. Momoh, and showing that you respect the fundamental role of the Audit Service would send a powerful message. It would tell every Sierra Leonean that, while mistakes can happen, our leaders are committed to making amends and ensuring justice prevails.
We can’t afford to let this chance pass, Mr. President. Imagine the example you would set. A Sierra Leone where leaders are accountable, where institutions are respected, and where citizens feel seen, heard, and valued—that is the Sierra Leone we all dream of, and it is one that can be achieved if we have leaders willing to admit when they are wrong and committed to making things right.
Mr. President, your position is unique. You have the authority, the platform, and the public’s attention. Every decision you make reverberates through the Sierra Leonean society, shaping the present and future of our nation. This act of reinstating these officials, Mr. President, would stand as a testament to your commitment to national unity, fairness, and the rule of law.
There is a saying, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” Sierra Leone has been through too much to bear further divisions, especially those born out of distrust in our public institutions. By choosing this path, Mr. President, you would be choosing to unify, to heal, and to lead by example.
Mr. President, let’s embrace this moment. Let us create a legacy of leadership that values humility as much as strength and cherishes justice over pride. Yes, there is still work to be done in refining your leadership strategies, and yes, mistakes will happen along the way. But how you handle those mistakes and how you respond in moments of difficulty is what will ultimately define your legacy.
Mr. President, let’s heal the wounds, and let it start with you. When Sierra Leoneans reflect on this chapter, let them see a president who was willing to put the country above himself, who chose to unite rather than divide, and who demonstrated that true leadership is built on the courage to do what is right, even when it is not easy.
Welcome back to “Swit Mama Salone,” Mr. President. There is much to be done, and with your guidance, we hope to walk a path that strengthens our nation, values its people, and builds a future we can all be proud of. This act of reconciliation with the Audit Service could be the first step on that journey. The ball is in your court. “Maaaada Bio! Maaaada Bioaaaaaa!! Oh Wi Popay,” I trust you will heed to my advice as a brother and friend; just do this, and you will see what will come out of it. Let’s meet and talk again tomorrow, Insha Allahu!
