By Alpha Amadu Jalloh
Mr. President, I have watched with growing dismay as the trust of the people of Sierra Leone erodes, not because they do not want to believe in leadership, but because leadership continues to betray them. The latest scandal surrounding the so-called “21 ships of rice” from China is just another example of how deception has become a tool of governance rather than service to the people. The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security stood before the nation, struggling to piece together a lie that even the least informed citizen could see through. The rice, according to him, has been coming for years; yet, strangely, we only hear about it now when it fits a particular political narrative.
Mr. President, if this rice was indeed arriving in Sierra Leone for years, why was it never announced? Why was there no transparency about such a large-scale food security initiative? Or is it that this rice was quietly entering the country, only to be used as a political weapon when convenient? The people of Sierra Leone deserve answers, not half-baked stories that insult their intelligence.
For too long, politicians have mastered the art of political gymnastics, dancing around the truth, twisting reality, and expecting the people to accept their fabrications without question. But we see through the lies. We see through the deception.
The so-called “Feed Salone” initiative has turned into nothing more than another white elephant, much like Tomabum. What exactly are these projects feeding, if not just the pockets of a few well-connected individuals?
Mr. President, you once promised to lead with integrity. You assured us that under your leadership, Sierra Leone would rise from the ashes of corruption and become a beacon of hope. But today, we are still grappling with the same problems that have plagued our nation for decades—hunger, unemployment, economic hardship, and an ever-widening gap between the rich and the poor.
Mr. President, the betrayal is not just in the lies but in the blatant disregard for the intelligence and dignity of the people. This government talks about agricultural self-sufficiency while failing to address the root causes of food insecurity. If “Feed Salone” was a success, why do we still need these ships of rice? If Tomabum was a revolutionary agricultural project, why is rice still being imported rather than exported? These contradictions expose the hypocrisy at the core of this administration’s promises.
Mr. President, let’s take a moment to talk about the economic reality on the ground. The prices of basic commodities continue to skyrocket, leaving ordinary Sierra Leoneans unable to afford the most essential goods. Parents struggle to put food on the table, children go to school on empty stomachs, and businesses are suffocating under the weight of a broken economy.
Yet, amidst all this, government officials live lavishly, drive around in expensive vehicles, and parade their wealth in the face of the suffering masses. This disconnect between the rulers and the ruled is not just a failure of governance; it is an outright betrayal of trust.
When a government prioritizes propaganda over tangible solutions, the people suffer. When leaders become comfortable in their deception, the nation stagnates. When officials continue to enrich themselves while the people starve, resentment grows.
Mr. President, it is clear that your administration has stopped listening to the people. You have surrounded yourself with individuals who tell you what you want to hear, rather than what you need to hear. Sierra Leoneans are crying out for real solutions, not more speeches, not more promises, and certainly not more lies.
Mr. President, accountability has become a foreign concept in this government. Ministers and top officials continue to make reckless statements without fear of consequences because they know there will be no repercussions. The people have been left to fend for themselves while the government remains indifferent to their suffering.
Mr. President, there is still a chance to rewrite this legacy, but it will require real leadership, leadership that is honest, transparent, and committed to the people rather than personal gain. It will require you to take responsibility rather than allowing deception to define your tenure.
Mr. President, Sierra Leone does not need more “ships of rice” appearing out of nowhere. What we need is a sustainable agricultural system that ensures food security for generations to come. We do not need more empty slogans; we need policies that translate into real impact for the ordinary citizen. We do not need more white elephants; we need projects that create jobs, reduce poverty, and foster development.
Mr. President, can we talk? Not with the usual political rhetoric, but with honesty. Can we have a government that respects its people enough to tell them the truth? Can we build a nation where leadership is about service rather than self-enrichment?
The time for deception has passed, Mr. President. The people of Sierra Leone are watching, and history will judge you and every accomplice in and of your deceptions.
