By Alpha Amadu Jalloh, Author of Monopoly of Happiness: Unveiling Sierra Leone’s Social Imbalance
Mr. President, as 2024 closes, it is an opportune moment for us to pause and evaluate Sierra Leone’s trajectory, what we have achieved as a nation, and where we have fallen short. Amid political rhetoric and endless promises of progress, it is time to assess the state of our nation with honesty, clarity, and an eye toward the future. Mr. President, can we talk?
To be fair, Mr. President, Sierra Leone has made strides in certain areas. Infrastructure projects, such as the construction of roads and bridges, have improved connectivity within the country. While these projects are far from comprehensive, they represent a step toward enhancing trade and accessibility in remote regions. Additionally, the electrification initiatives in some districts have brought much-needed relief to communities that once lived in perpetual darkness.
The expansion of educational opportunities, particularly for girls, is another commendable achievement. The Free Quality Education initiative has increased enrollment rates and demonstrated a commitment to human capital development. Investments in public health, including vaccination campaigns and responses to health crises such as COVID-19, have shown the resilience of our healthcare system despite its many challenges.
The agricultural sector has seen initiatives aimed at reducing our reliance on food imports. Programs encouraging local rice production and other staple crops, although not yet transformative, have laid the groundwork for a more self-sufficient future. Moreover, strides in digitalization, including efforts to improve internet access and integrate technology into governance, hint at a willingness to modernize.
However, Mr. President, these achievements are overshadowed by persistent failures that continue to hinder our progress as a nation. The most glaring of these is corruption. Despite the existence of an Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), corruption remains entrenched in every facet of government and public life. From inflated contracts to the embezzlement of public funds, the misuse of resources has deprived Sierra Leoneans of the basic services they deserve.
Our healthcare system, Mr. President, remains a disaster waiting to happen. Hospitals are underfunded, understaffed, and ill-equipped. Maternal and infant mortality rates remain among the highest in the world, a grim reminder of our inability to provide even the most basic healthcare services. The tragedy of preventable deaths in our hospitals highlights the negligence and apathy of those in power.
Education, while improved in access, continues to suffer from poor quality. Overcrowded classrooms, underpaid teachers, and inadequate teaching materials compromise the future of our youth. The promise of “free quality education” rings hollow when students graduate without the skills needed to compete in the global economy.
Economically, we are barely scraping by. High unemployment, particularly among the youth, fuels frustration and hopelessness. The cost of living continues to rise, while wages remain stagnant. Our reliance on foreign aid and mineral exports makes us vulnerable to external shocks, and there has been little effort to diversify the economy or foster innovation. The private sector, the engine of economic growth, remains stifled by bureaucracy and poor infrastructure.
Perhaps the most disheartening failure is in governance. Mr. President, your administration’s penchant for international travel and awards-seeking has not gone unnoticed. While you champion Sierra Leone’s progress on global stages, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Public confidence in government institutions continues to erode due to cronyism, inefficiency, and a lack of transparency.
The proliferation of unqualified individuals in key positions undermines the very foundations of governance. When political loyalty takes precedence over competence, the nation suffers. The bloated size of your administration, coupled with exorbitant spending on frivolities, sends a troubling message to citizens struggling to make ends meet.
Our national security, once a source of pride, is now a concern. The politicization of the police and armed forces has compromised their ability to serve and protect impartially. The presence of ECOWAS military forces on our soil, a stark reminder of the fragility of our security apparatus, raises questions about our sovereignty and long-term stability.
Social cohesion, Mr. President, is another area of concern. Ethnic and regional divides have deepened, fueled by partisan politics and inflammatory rhetoric. Sierra Leone’s strength lies in its diversity, but we have failed to harness this strength for unity and progress. The increasing marginalization of certain groups threatens to unravel the social fabric that binds us together.
Mr. President, as you reflect on your time in office and the legacy you wish to leave, I urge you to prioritize the following according to your manifesto if you are still browsing it, Mr. President:
Tackle Corruption Head-On: Strengthen the ACC and ensure it operates independently. Public officials found guilty of corruption must face consequences, regardless of their political affiliations.
Reform Healthcare and Education: Allocate more resources to these critical sectors. Invest in training healthcare workers and teachers and ensure that funds reach the intended beneficiaries.
Diversify the Economy: Encourage investment in agriculture, technology, and manufacturing to reduce our reliance on minerals. Create an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive.
Strengthen Governance: Appoint competent individuals based on merit, not loyalty. Reduce government waste by cutting unnecessary expenditures and streamlining operations.
Foster Social Cohesion: Promote policies and programs that unite rather than divide. Encourage dialogue among different groups and ensure equitable distribution of resources.
Enhance Security: Depoliticize the security forces and invest in their capacity to maintain law and order. Develop a long-term strategy to address the root causes of insecurity.
Sierra Leone stands at a crossroads. We can continue down the path of mediocrity and missed opportunities, or we can chart a new course toward prosperity and equity. The choice lies with our leaders, but it also lies with us as citizens. Holding our government accountable is not just a right; it is a responsibility.
Mr. President, the people of Sierra Leone deserve more than promises and platitudes. They deserve action, progress, and a government that truly serves their interests. As 2024 comes to an end, let this be a moment of reckoning and renewal. Let us learn from our failures and build on our achievements. Let us, together, create a Sierra Leone that we can all be proud of.
