By Alpha Amadu Jalloh—author of “Monopoly of Happiness: Unveiling Sierra Leone’s Social Imbalance”
Mr. President, Happy New Year to you, your family, and all Sierra Leoneans, both at home and in the diaspora. As your brother and one who was genuinely glad to have engaged you in conversations throughout 2024, I am optimistic about a new chapter in 2025, a year we all hope will bring fulfillment and progress for every Sierra Leonean.
Let us begin by reviewing 2024, Mr. President, as we assess how to forge a better path in 2025. I must ask: What do you consider your administration’s successes in 2024? From where I stand, the past year seemed more like a litany of unfulfilled promises, missed opportunities, and setbacks.
You began 2024 with grandiose promises for Sierra Leone, yet those promises appeared as lofty as castles built in the air. The reality, Mr. President, was a stark contrast to your words.
Throughout 2024, you were more often seen on international stages, delivering hollow speeches, procuring questionable awards, and attending orchestrated conferences. While you roamed abroad, your wife stirred controversy at home with what many perceived as threats to those she viewed as obstacles to her political ambitions.
Your much-vaunted “Feed Salone” initiative and the so-called “big projects” have turned out to be colossal failures. The energy sector remains in disarray, and the few successes celebrated by Dr. Kandeh Yumkella are borrowed achievements, projects initiated and largely completed before his involvement.
Mr. President, it seems you’ve stopped traveling, not out of concern for the nation’s welfare, but because the consolidated fund is now empty, and our economy has been stretched to its breaking point.
Our nation’s economy has indeed burst beyond repair. Inflation, unemployment, and public debt are crippling Sierra Leoneans. The promises of job creation remain unfulfilled, leaving the youth, our future, without hope.
Your administration has neglected education and training opportunities for the majority of our young people. The pervasive KUSH epidemic among the youth speaks to a larger failure. Committees and task forces have been created, but they remain toothless entities, enriching only those appointed to lead them while the average Sierra Leonean continues to suffer.
You’ve created wealth not for the people, but for your inner circle. The opulence displayed by your appointees, such as the Anti-Corruption Commissioner’s extravagant wedding, is an affront to a nation struggling under the weight of poverty.
Mr. President, let us talk about the judiciary. In 2024, extrajudicial killings surged. These were not accidents but deliberate actions orchestrated by your security apparatus to silence dissent and eliminate perceived threats.
What happened to the rule of law, Mr. President? While you proclaim its virtues to the world, your administration routinely undermines it. Sierra Leoneans deserve better. Our courts should be bastions of justice, not instruments of political oppression.
Your governance style extends to questionable appointments. For instance, you appointed the wife of your press secretary to the United Nations and the wife of Mr. Sidi Tunis as Minister of Tourism. What have these appointments achieved?
Tourism, a sector with immense potential, remains underwhelming compared to our neighbours like Senegal, The Gambia, and even Guinea. Instead of tangible progress, we hear only noise and empty rhetoric without results.
Mr. President, 2024 was a year of immense challenges. Beyond governance failures, we saw a nation torn apart by division, corruption, and economic hardship. The year exposed the fragility of our social fabric and the incompetence of your administration to address these issues meaningfully.
As we move into 2025, Sierra Leone deserves a leadership that prioritizes the people over personal gain. The focus must shift from political theatrics to tangible development that uplifts the masses.
What Needs to Change in 2025
1. Youth Empowerment
Invest in education, skills training, and job creation for the youth. Address the KUSH epidemic by providing rehabilitation programs and economic opportunities.
2. Rule of Law
Reinstate faith in the judiciary. Ensure that justice is impartial and accessible to all Sierra Leoneans, regardless of their political affiliations.
3. Economic Reforms
Address the bloated government, reduce wasteful spending, and prioritize initiatives that directly benefit the populace. Restructure the economy to promote small and medium enterprises, agriculture, and local industries.
4. Accountability in Governance
Curb corruption by holding officials accountable. Extravagant displays of wealth by public officials must be investigated, and the misuse of public funds must be punished.
5. Strengthen Institutions
Empower independent institutions to function without interference. Sierra Leone needs a robust anti-corruption framework and a transparent public service.
6. Diplomatic Reforms
Appoint qualified individuals to diplomatic positions. Strengthen international relations to benefit Sierra Leoneans abroad, especially those facing dire conditions in countries like Lebanon.
Mr. President, leadership is about service. It requires empathy, humility, and a commitment to the well-being of the people. In 2024, Sierra Leoneans endured hardships while you pursued personal ambitions and accolades.
2025 must be different. Let it be a year where the cries of the people are heard and their burdens alleviated. Let it be a year of transformation, where governance is about building bridges rather than consolidating power.
As your brother and fellow Sierra Leonean, I urge you to reflect on the failures of 2024 and commit to a new path in 2025. This is not just about your legacy but the future of our nation.
Mr. President, can we talk? Because Sierra Leone needs more than promises, it needs action. The people are watching, waiting, and hoping. Let 2025 be the year we begin to fulfill those hopes.
Happy New Year, Mr. President. The time for real change is now.
