By Alpha Amadu Jalloh
Mr. President, how are you today? I hope you are celebrating and talking all over, perhaps even calling some of your fellow presidents across West Africa. Yes, one can understand why anyone would want to do the same when their team achieves success, especially in football.
Mr. President, I have started to see posts on social media crediting you for our beloved Leone Stars’ recent victory over Guinea-Bissau in Monrovia. But let’s be honest, while you have every right to celebrate as any Sierra Leonean would, claiming credit for the win does a disservice to the players and the management team. The boys on the pitch, their coaches, and the support staff deserve recognition for their hard work. Let them own their victory. If they truly believe that success belongs to them, they will be even more motivated to push forward and bring home more wins for Sierra Leone. Leadership, Mr. President, is not just about being present in moments of glory but also about knowing when to step back and allow others to shine.
Now, Mr. President, I cannot meet with you today without raising the issue of the 21 shiploads of rice that your government mishandled. It took three years for us to uncover the truth, and now we know that these supplies were not just mismanaged but were allegedly sold to private businesspeople who then resold them to the government for the school feeding program.
This revelation, confirmed by your Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS), is nothing short of disgraceful. How can a government justify such a scheme? Was the intention always to enrich a select few at the expense of the hungry children this program was meant to serve? This, Mr. President, is why corruption continues to thrive in Sierra Leone, because there is no accountability. If we are serious about tackling food insecurity and supporting our children’s education, then this kind of mismanagement must not go unpunished.
Speaking of unanswered questions, Mr. President, last week, I asked about the whereabouts of our former Ambassador to Guinea, Alimamy Bangura, and his then deputy, Fatmata Sawaneh. But since I received no answer, I must ask again: Where are they? What happened to them? Have they simply vanished from the political scene, or is there something more sinister at play?
Additionally, I must ask why you appointed Mr. Foday Yumkella as our new Ambassador to Guinea Conakry, despite the fact that he recently suffered a severe stroke and is still in recovery. Mr. President, do we not have capable, healthy men and women to fill this vital diplomatic post? Is there no other competent Sierra Leonean available, or was this appointment a political favor rather than one made in the best interest of our country? Sierra Leone’s representation abroad should be strong and effective, not weakened by questionable decisions that compromise our interests.
Mr. President, I must also continue to talk about Jos Leijdekkers, better known as Jos Bolle. It was shocking to hear the Minister of Justice publicly state that he does not know his whereabouts. Wow! How can the government claim ignorance about such a high-profile individual? Is this not a matter of national security? The people of Sierra Leone deserve answers, and we must demand transparency on this issue.
Finally, Mr. President, I want us to spend some time discussing a major concern: the Siaka Stevens Stadium. It is beyond comprehension that forty million dollars were allocated for its refurbishment, yet to date, nothing significant has been done. Instead of having our own stadium to celebrate football victories and support our national team, we remain deprived of that joy.
Imagine what would have happened if our victory over Guinea-Bissau had taken place in Freetown! Imagine the atmosphere, the morale boost, and the national pride that would have surged through our people. Instead, we are left wondering where the money has gone and why, after all this time, our stadium remains closed.
Mr. President, I ask these questions not to attack you personally but because I care deeply about this country. The people of Sierra Leone deserve better, and it is your responsibility to ensure that these pressing issues are addressed. Let’s not wait until tomorrow to seek accountability; let’s start today. Insha Allahu, we shall see what happens next.
