By Alpha Amadu Jalloh, author of “Monopoly of Happiness: Unveiling Sierra Leone’s Social Imbalance”
In Sierra Leone today, we are facing an epidemic, not of disease, but of titles. It seems that the ultimate aspiration for many is not to achieve something meaningful but rather to attach a title to their name. Across the country, people parade themselves as “Dr.,” “Professor,” “Ambassador,” “Chie”f, “Director,” or even “His or Her Excellency,” regardless of whether they have genuinely earned these distinctions.
This phenomenon is particularly rampant among young people, many of whom now call themselves “ambassadors.” Traditionally, an ambassador is a government-appointed diplomat who officially represents their country abroad. Yet, in Sierra Leone, it is common to find individuals who have never even set foot outside the country calling themselves “Ambassador of Peace,” “Ambassador of Youth,” or “Cultural Ambassador.” The alarming reality is that many of these so-called ambassadors have never engaged in any serious diplomatic, peacebuilding, or cultural exchange activities. It begs the question: how did they attain such a designation?
Even religious leaders have joined the trend, some referring to themselves as “Ambassador of Christ.” While faith and religious devotion are commendable, the casual adoption of diplomatic-style titles in religious circles further confuses the issue. One cannot help but wonder: Is this simply a quest for social validation, or has the culture of self-glorification overtaken genuine service to the people?
The title epidemic extends beyond young people and religious figures; it is rampant among politicians, business leaders, police officers, bankers, and senior government officials. Many of them display impressive-sounding titles, yet there is often no credible institution to verify where these distinctions were earned. It is no longer unusual to meet a “Dr.” who has never defended a thesis or written an academic paper. The presence of unearned titles has become so widespread that it threatens to overshadow those who have genuinely put in the effort to attain their qualifications.
A particularly troubling case is that of Sierra Leone’s current Clerk of Parliament, Paran Tarawally. He was caught red-handed misappropriating public funds and yet holds a doctorate from the so-called Dominion University, an institution whose existence remains a mystery. No one seems to know where Dominion University is located, yet its certificates are circulating in the highest corridors of power. This is emblematic of a broader crisis: institutions that lack credibility are freely distributing titles, allowing individuals to parade fake academic credentials without challenge.
Every day in Sierra Leone, we hear of new “international award winners.” Many of these awards come from institutions that no one has heard of and that do not appear to have any real global standing. It is especially disturbing when high-ranking officials and politicians receive an overwhelming number of such awards. The numbers are staggering, and the sources of these accolades are often unverifiable.
Consider the case of President Julius Maada Bio and the First Lady, Fatima Bio. Since taking office in 2018, they have received an astonishing number of international awards. Some of these may be legitimate, but the sheer volume raises questions. Where are these awards coming from? Are they buying them? What criteria are being used to determine recipients? Most importantly, how do these accolades translate into tangible benefits for the ordinary people of Sierra Leone? If a leader is indeed exceptional, their achievements should be visible in the lives of their people, not just in the number of plaques and trophies they collect.
The Dangerous Consequences of Title Inflation. The unchecked proliferation of fake titles has several damaging effects on society, including erosion of credibility: Genuine title holders who have worked hard to earn their credentials are now placed in the same category as those who have merely bought or fabricated theirs. This diminishes the value of authentic qualifications.
When young people see that they can simply purchase a title rather than put in years of study and dedication, they lose motivation to pursue real academic and professional excellence. Titles are often used as weapons to instill fear and inferiority among ordinary people. A society where people can intimidate others with fake titles is a society that suppresses meritocracy.
The normalization of fraudulent credentials contributes to a broader culture of dishonesty. If our leaders can parade fake degrees, what does that say about the integrity of our institutions?
A nation where those in power rely on fake titles will struggle to gain the trust of its people. Leadership should be based on merit, not on superficial embellishments.
What Can Be Done to Curb the Epidemic? It is imperative that we take steps to rid Sierra Leone of this growing menace. What we must do as a nation is for employers, government agencies, and academic institutions to establish stringent procedures for verifying the legitimacy of titles and academic credentials. Any individual caught using fraudulent qualifications should face legal consequences.
The government should introduce laws that criminalize the use of fake academic degrees and self-bestowed titles, with penalties for violators. Unfortunately, the enforcers of the laws would be the very culprits.
Sierra Leoneans need to be educated about the importance of genuine qualifications. There should be national campaigns that expose fake universities and fraudulent institutions.
We must celebrate and honor individuals who have genuinely excelled in their fields rather than those who have merely purchased recognition. Real talent and hard work should be rewarded and highlighted. Our political and business leaders must lead by example. They should reject fake titles and instead focus on genuine service to the nation.
Sierra Leone is at a crossroads. We can either continue down the path of superficial recognition and title inflation, or we can build a society that values authenticity, hard work, and real achievement. If we do not act now, we risk raising a generation that prioritizes empty accolades over genuine contribution. The epidemic of titles must end, and it is up to every Sierra Leonean to ensure that credibility and integrity are restored in our institutions.
It is time to expose the fakes, honor the genuine, and rebuild a society where titles are earned, not bought.
