By Alpha Amadu Jalloh—Author of Monopoly of Happiness: Unveiling Sierra Leone’s Social Imbalance.
Mr. President, often, we discuss issues that you perhaps prefer to be left unspoken, and I know you sometimes look at me with scorn for my candid observations. Yet, I must commend you for your tolerance in at least allowing me to voice my “drai yai en tranga yase tok dem” (my blunt observations). Today, I write with urgency and concern, addressing both our health crises and the troubling erosion of governance and accountability under your leadership.
Mr. President, let’s begin with the breaking news: Sierra Leone has recorded its first case of MPOX, a highly contagious disease. This comes at a time when our fragile healthcare system is already on life support. We are no strangers to the devastation of public health emergencies. The scars of Ebola and COVID-19 remain fresh, with both crises having shaken our economy and social fabric to the core. Despite these painful lessons, our preparedness for health emergencies remains alarmingly inadequate.
Mr. President, where are the ambulances that were so proudly deployed across the country during the height of COVID-19? Many have vanished or lie in disrepair due to neglect and lack of maintenance. It seems we are yet again poised to tackle a new health threat without the necessary infrastructure or resources. And herein lies the deeper issue: your administration’s proclivity for exploiting crises to secure funding from development partners, only for these funds to be misused or diverted for political gain. Instead of being channeled to mitigate the suffering of ordinary citizens, these resources often become tools for patronage and propaganda, deepening public mistrust.
Mr. President, as we announced our first case of MPOX, let me remind you that it is not just a looming health crisis; it is going to be a test of your leadership and integrity. Will this government rise to the occasion or succumb to its usual tendencies of politicizing aid and failing the people? The world is watching, and so are Sierra Leoneans who have grown weary of empty promises and misplaced priorities.
Equally concerning, Mr. President, is the recent attack on press freedom, an issue that has sent shockwaves across the nation and beyond. The Speaker of Parliament, a relative of yours, hailing from your backyard in Bonthe, has banned journalist Melvin Tejan Mansaray from entering the precincts of Parliament. His “crime”? Criticizing the poor performance of Parliament. To compound this affront, the Speaker called the Inspector General of Police to have the journalist arrested should he dare step foot near Parliament again.
Mr. President, this is 2025. The idea that a journalist can be reprimanded for holding public officials accountable is not just archaic; it is outright dangerous. Parliament is supposed to be the people’s house, not a private club where dissenting voices are silenced. This incident underscores a broader culture of intolerance and authoritarianism that has taken root under your administration. It is a stark reminder of the erosion of democratic values and the alarming trend of power being wielded as a weapon against critics.
While the Speaker’s actions have rightly drawn condemnation, there is another scandal brewing within the halls of power. Reports suggest that parliamentarians are on the verge of illegally acquiring fifty acres of land near the Guma Valley Dam with the partnership of the Guma Valley Water Company Management, a critical water resource for Freetown. This is not just a case of corruption but an act of environmental vandalism with far-reaching consequences.
Encroachment on the Guma Valley catchment area threatens to exacerbate water shortages in Freetown, a city already grappling with chronic water supply issues. The environmental degradation caused by such activities puts lives at risk and undermines public trust in the government’s ability to safeguard national resources. Yet, your administration remains silent, unwilling or unable to confront these egregious acts of self-interest by those within your inner circle.
Mr. President, your leadership is increasingly perceived as a menace to the very people you were elected to serve. Instead of being stewards of progress, many within your government have become parasites, enriching themselves at the expense of the nation. The result is a deepening social imbalance that threatens not just the present but the future of Sierra Leone.
It is not enough to acknowledge these issues; action must be taken. As President, you bear the ultimate responsibility for the state of the nation. Sierra Leone cannot afford another health crisis exacerbated by incompetence and corruption. Nor can we tolerate the continued erosion of democratic freedoms and the plundering of our natural resources.
Health System Revitalization: Launch an immediate audit of healthcare resources, including ambulances, medical equipment, and personnel. Ensure that funds allocated for health emergencies are transparently managed and directly benefit those in need. Establish a maintenance framework to prevent the disappearance or deterioration of critical assets.
Press Freedom Protection: Publicly condemn the actions of the Speaker of Parliament and reaffirm your commitment to press freedom. Journalists must be allowed to do their work without fear of intimidation or reprisal. Establish an independent inquiry into the incident involving Melvin Tejan Mansaray and hold those responsible accountable.
Environmental Safeguards: Halt all unauthorized activities around the Guma Valley Dam and prosecute those involved in land grabbing. Strengthen environmental protection laws and ensure their enforcement, prioritizing the preservation of critical water resources.
Governance and Accountability: Address the culture of impunity within your administration. Implement reforms to curb corruption, reduce political patronage, and promote meritocracy in public appointments. Empower anti-corruption agencies to operate independently and effectively.
Citizen Engagement: Engage with citizens and civil society organizations to rebuild trust. Create platforms for dialogue and collaboration, ensuring that the voices of ordinary Sierra Leoneans are heard and considered in policymaking.
Mr. President, history will judge you not by the awards you accumulate or the speeches you deliver but by the tangible impact of your leadership on the lives of Sierra Leoneans. The challenges we face are immense, but so too are the opportunities to address them with courage and conviction. It is time to move beyond rhetoric and deliver the change that this nation so desperately needs.
The people of Sierra Leone deserve better. They deserve a government that prioritizes their welfare over personal gain, a healthcare system that protects rather than fails them, and a democracy that empowers rather than silences them. The question is: Will you rise to the occasion, or will you continue down the path of mediocrity and mismanagement?
The choice, Mr. President, is yours. But know this: the eyes of the nation are upon you, and the clock is ticking.
