By Alpha Amadu Jalloh
Mr. President, like I said yesterday, I wonder if you are aware that people are tired of what we call in Sierra Leone “walkabout.” The endless travels, the constant jetting around the world with little to no tangible results, Mr. President, the people are exhausted. And it seems, judging from recent events, that even the international community is growing weary as well.
Look at the humiliation. Instead of being received by the Prime Minister herself, she sent her Energy Minister, not even the Deputy Prime Minister or the Foreign Affairs Minister, but the Energy Minister. Mr. President, does that not tell you something? That the world, just like the people of Sierra Leone, is slowly but surely losing interest in you and your government? “Yu nor go shame smol wae pipul don taya fo see yu?” “Bo dog die sef na yu go reach dae.”
Mr. President, was this trip necessary? What exactly was the justification for you leading this delegation yourself? Was it something that could not have been handled by one of the deputy ministers, or even Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, who once chaired that very body? If there was ever a time for a strategic delegation, this was it. But instead, you went yourself. And now, here you are, about to deliver a national statement on Sierra Leone’s Energy Transition and Green Growth Plan.
Mr. President, what exactly is there for you to showcase in this topic? Unless, of course, you intend to lie in broad daylight to the world. The world has become a small village. Everyone knows what is happening in Sierra Leone. The media in Barbados is ready to scrutinize your speech. “Nor say ar nor bin tell yu O”.
Let’s be honest, Mr. President. What real progress has Sierra Leone made in energy transition and green growth? The majority of our people still live in darkness, with unstable electricity that only a privileged few enjoy. Hydropower remains underutilized, solar energy is more of a dream than a reality, and the national grid continues to collapse like a house of cards.
How do you stand before the world and talk about “expanding hydropower and solar energy for a cleaner and more sustainable future” when even in the capital, Freetown, blackouts are the order of the day? Mr. President, the truth is bitter, but it must be told. Our energy sector is failing. Despite millions of dollars poured into the system, ordinary Sierra Leoneans are yet to see meaningful change.
What will you tell the world about Bumbuna? That after all these years, it is still not operational? What about the numerous solar projects that have been announced with fanfare but have yet to materialize? What about the villages and towns still in complete darkness, where people rely on candles, pan lamps, Kambo, and Chinese torches?
Your government, Mr. President, has become an expert in making big announcements with little to no follow-through. We have heard of grand plans, funding agreements, and high-level partnerships, yet the average Sierra Leonean continues to struggle with basic electricity. Your administration promised a nationwide electrification plan, but what we have seen instead is selective distribution, where only politically significant areas get the little power that exists.
While you stand in Barbados talking about energy transitions, people across Sierra Leone are experiencing some of the worst power outages in years. Businesses are suffering, students cannot study at night, and hospitals are struggling to keep basic services running. So, what exactly are you transitioning to, Mr. President? Another five years of broken promises?
Mr. President, your constant travels are draining the country’s resources. Every trip costs taxpayers millions of dollars. The flights, the accommodations, and the per diems for the large delegations—all these expenses add up. And for what? What has Sierra Leone truly gained from all your globetrotting?
You have traveled more in five years than some of your predecessors did in a decade, yet Sierra Leone remains one of the poorest countries in the world. The people do not see the benefits of your frequent flyer miles. The economy is in crisis, the cost of living is unbearable, and essential services are collapsing. If all these trips were bringing real development, we would understand. But Mr. President, where are the results?
It is becoming clear that these travels are not about Sierra Leone’s interests but about personal and political gain. It is about maintaining appearances on the global stage while the reality at home tells a different story. And now, even world leaders are sending you signals. Being received by an energy minister instead of the prime minister is a message. A message that your presence is not as important as you think it is.
Sierra Leoneans want leadership that prioritizes their needs over foreign trips. They want a president who stays home and fixes the problems rather than one who spends more time abroad than in the country. They want stable electricity, affordable food, quality healthcare, and better education for their children.
Mr. President, the people are speaking, but are you listening? They are tired of the speeches, tired of the empty promises, and tired of the lies. They are looking for real solutions, real change, and real leadership.
It is not too late to change course. You can still choose to focus on governing rather than grandstanding. You can still choose to prioritize development over diplomatic appearances. You can still choose to be the leader that Sierra Leone desperately needs.
Mr. President, the world is watching. Barbados is watching. Sierra Leone is watching. Whatever you say at that conference will be scrutinized. The days of misleading the international community are over. Every claim will be fact-checked, and every promise will be questioned.
So, as you stand before the world, choose your words carefully. Speak the truth, or better still, say nothing at all. Because, Mr. President, the people of Sierra Leone have already heard enough. And they are tired.
“Nor say ar nor bin tell yu O”. Lonta.
