By Alpha Amadu Jalloh—Author, “Monopoly of Happiness: Unveiling Sierra Leone’s Social Imbalance”
Mr. President, I wonder how you are coping these days. It seems as though the weight of leadership has become too much to bear, and I now believe, “Yu Don Lef Handle.” Yes, Mr. President, that is the case with your government. If it is not your wife embroiled in some controversy, then it’s a deputy minister, a full minister, the chief minister, or even the political prostitutes and surrogates around you. Every day, there is one mischief or scandal after another.
Mr. President, what goes around comes around. You have abandoned the people who placed their trust in you, and now, the consequences of that betrayal are keeping you awake at night. The sleepless nights you endure are no mystery; they are the results of the disarray in your government. You appointed individuals to serve the nation, but today, those very people are leading our country down the dangerous path once described in the “Truth and Reconciliation Commission” report as the recipes for violence.
Mr. President, it is bewildering how everything that led us into the civil war has been repeated, over and over again, under your leadership. Nepotism, corruption, incompetence, and tribalism have crept back into the fabric of governance. What is even more disheartening is how these issues are being paraded openly, with no consequences for those involved.
How is it, Mr. President, that even your deputy ministers feel emboldened to bypass established protocols and take to the public arena to accuse your vice president of corruption? Where are the mechanisms you supposedly put in place to resolve disputes within your administration? Why has your leadership allowed such chaos to thrive?
And then there is your wife, Mr. President. What role is she playing in this? How has she become so intertwined in these issues that her influence now emboldens others to act recklessly? Is this not a reflection of how far your government has strayed from its purpose?
Take a look at Sylvia Blyden, Mr. President. Her relentless crusade against the chief minister, purportedly in the name of your wife, has become a spectacle. What have you done about it? What message are you sending to your ministers and the public when such open feuds are allowed to fester?
And then there’s Jobson Momoh, a member of your party, who has gone as far as making life-threatening remarks against your youth minister. Yet, nothing has been done. Why, Mr. President? Is this the kind of leadership you envisioned when you campaigned for office?
Mr. President, you are all over the place yet seemingly doing nothing. You grandstand, bask in songs and praises, and allow your ego to be fed by those who benefit from your favor. Have you forgotten that you are nothing but a servant of the people? Leadership is not about being worshipped; it is about serving the nation selflessly.
The people of Sierra Leone do not expect to worship you. They expect you to deliver on the promises you made. They expect you to provide jobs, improve healthcare, ensure justice, and create a better future for their children. But instead, you have become distracted, surrounding yourself with sycophants and enablers who care little for the suffering of the masses.
Mr. President, you are human. One day, you will not be around to see the consequences of your leadership. Do you want to be remembered as the leader who presided over the disintegration of Sierra Leone’s future?
Mr. President, I urge you to sit quietly and reflect. Have you taken the time to truly pray about the direction of your leadership? Do you even pray, Mr. President? I am not sure. But if you do, are the pastors and reverends surrounding you honest in their counsel, or are they merely feeding your ego with praises? Mr. President, I still recall that Imam who found a way to compare with the Prophet just to feed your ego, and you sat there innocently and being fooled, “Ayyy , Wi Na Salone Wi Go See Wi Yon Na Dis Worl” I don’t know about the hereafter, but what we the people are facing in this world, I hope it is an indicator of being marked for hell; we have suffered so much we no longer have any good thoughts in our minds; all we think is how to do whatever regardless of the ten commandments to survive.
A leader must seek wisdom from those who are unafraid to speak the truth. But in your case, it appears that no one has the guts to tell you what you need to hear. Instead, they tell you what you want to hear. That, Mr. President, is dangerous.
Your leadership is in crisis, Mr. President. It is time to take accountability for the state of the nation. Your government is riddled with infighting, scandals, and incompetence. Yet, you seem to be in denial about the severity of these issues.
The people are tired of the endless drama. They are tired of the empty promises. They are tired of being neglected while you and your administration focus on personal gains and petty rivalries.
Mr. President, Sierra Leone deserves better. The people deserve a government that works for them, not against them.
It is not too late, Mr. President, to turn things around. But this will require humility and courage. It will require you to put aside your ego and prioritize the needs of the people.
Mr. President, remove incompetent and corrupt officials from your government. Appoint individuals based on merit, not loyalty or connections. Listen to the concerns of the people and take immediate action to address their issues. This includes improving healthcare, education, and job opportunities. Discourage infighting within your administration and foster a culture of collaboration and respect. Empower independent institutions to function without interference. This includes the judiciary, anti-corruption bodies, and law enforcement agencies. Demonstrate humility and accountability in your actions. Show the people that you are willing to make sacrifices for the betterment of the nation.
Mr. President, leadership is not an easy task. It requires resilience, wisdom, and selflessness. But above all, it requires a deep commitment to the people you serve.
The challenges you face are immense, but they are not insurmountable. With the right mindset and approach, you can still make a positive impact on Sierra Leone.
Mr. President, the future of our nation is at stake. The decisions you make today will determine the legacy you leave behind. Choose wisely.
Sierra Leone deserves better. The people deserve better. And history will judge you based on what you do next.
