By Alpha Amadu Jalloh
Let Us Talk About the Yuletide. As the year draws to a close, Sierra Leoneans are bracing for what should be a season of joy and celebration, the yuletide. But, Mr. President, how can people celebrate when their daily lives are consumed by hardship, uncertainty, and hunger? Christmas and New Year’s are traditionally a time for families to come together, share meals, and create memories, but for many in Sierra Leone today, the holiday season will only serve as a painful reminder of what they lack.
Mr. President, it is no secret that you and the upper echelons of your government are looking forward to a palatable end of year. After all, you have the luxury to do so. Your officials, after amassing wealth throughout the year, often at the expense of the people, will likely spare no expense for their own festivities. Lavish parties, expensive gifts, and abundant feasts await those in power. Meanwhile, ordinary Sierra Leoneans are left grappling with the grim reality of how to scrape together even the bare minimum for a simple Christmas meal or a modest New Year’s celebration.
Have you paused to consider the plight of the average Sierra Leonean? Fathers and mothers are counting the stars at night, their minds filled not with the joy of the season but with fear and worry about what tomorrow will bring. The cost of living continues to rise, food prices remain exorbitant, and many families will go to bed on Christmas Eve with empty stomachs and no hope of something better when they wake up.
For the majority, this Christmas won’t involve gifts under a tree or the aroma of festive meals. Instead, it will be just another day of battling poverty, hunger, and despair. Mr. President, the gap between the haves and the have-nots in Sierra Leone has never been more glaring.
We’ve heard the excuses, Mr. President. You attribute the hardships faced by Sierra Leoneans to global crises, the war in Ukraine, conflicts in Palestine and Lebanon, and the broader negative influences of international affairs. But let’s be honest, Mr. President: while these factors may have had some ripple effects, they cannot fully account for the dire state of our nation.
Your government’s mismanagement, lack of accountability, and outright greed are far more significant contributors. While you and your officials are busy launching programs and projects that are little more than public relations stunts, the people remain stuck in a cycle of deprivation. These launches are often symbolic gestures with no tangible benefits for the average citizen. The truth is clear, Mr. President: your government has prioritized optics over substance.
Mr. President, how do you feel when you lay your head down at night? Do you think about the families who went to bed hungry, the children who cried themselves to sleep, or the parents who have lost hope for a better future? How does it not weigh on your conscience that your leadership, or lack thereof, has left so many in despair?
And what of your vice president? He is said to be a humble and supportive man. But I must ask, Mr. Vice President, where do you stand in all of this? What role have you played in advising and guiding your president? Are you complicit in this failure, or are you merely a silent observer?
It is hard to believe that anyone in your administration is willing to speak truth to power, Mr. President. Fear and greed seem to dominate, and the result is a government that has failed its people.
This year, Sierra Leoneans are poorer than they were last year. The poverty is palpable, and the despair is growing. As we approach the yuletide, many are asking themselves, What is there to celebrate?
But Sierra Leoneans deserve better, Mr. President. They deserve a government that works for them, not against them. They deserve leadership that prioritizes their well-being over self-enrichment. They deserve a president who is moved by their suffering and takes meaningful action to alleviate it.
Mr. President, this is not just a time for celebration; it is also a time for reflection. As the leader of this nation, you have a responsibility to ensure that no one is left behind. Yet, it seems that your government has done the opposite. The policies and decisions you have made have widened the gap between the rich and the poor, leaving the majority of Sierra Leoneans struggling to survive.
The yuletide should be a time of hope and renewal, a moment to set aside our differences and come together as a nation. But for that to happen, there needs to be a fundamental shift in how your government operates.
Your government must take immediate steps to provide economic relief to struggling families. This could include subsidies for essential goods, targeted cash transfers, or support for small businesses.
Corruption and waste must be addressed head-on. The resources that are currently being squandered on unnecessary expenditures could be redirected to programs that benefit the people.
The government should lead by example during the yuletide. Instead of extravagant celebrations for officials, why not host community events that bring joy to ordinary Sierra Leoneans?
The excuses need to stop. Sierra Leoneans are tired of being fed lies and half-truths. It’s time for your government to take responsibility for its failures and communicate honestly with the people.
The yuletide is not just about the present; it’s also about looking ahead. What is your vision for Sierra Leone in 2025 and beyond? How will you ensure that the struggles of today do not become the struggles of tomorrow?
Mr. President, leadership is not about comfort or convenience. It is about service. It is about making sacrifices so that others may thrive. As the leader of this nation, you have the power to bring hope and joy to millions of Sierra Leoneans this yuletide.
The question is, will you use that power for good, or will you continue down the path of self-interest and neglect?
The ball is in your court, Mr. President. Sierra Leoneans are watching, waiting, and hoping that this holiday season will mark a turning point. But hope alone will not be enough. It’s time for action.
Let this yuletide be a season of change, a season where the voices of the people are heard, their needs are met, and their dignity is restored. The time for excuses is over. It’s time to deliver.
