By Alpha Amadu Jalloh
Mr. President, how are you this morning? I hope you, your government, and your family are in good health. I ask this not out of formality, but because, with all due respect, Mr. President, all is not well. Sir, I feel it is crucial to have an honest conversation with you about some pressing matters concerning the state of the nation and your leadership. I hope you will take a moment to hear me out.
Mr. President, I am sure you are aware that there have been numerous questions raised by the citizens of this country. It’s not just about your government’s governance or your party’s actions, but also about the examples you and your administration set for the future of Sierra Leone. This conversation is long overdue, and I trust it will be heard in the spirit of constructive criticism that it is offered.
Now, Mr. President, how is Madam First Lady doing? I am sure she is well, and I mean no disrespect when I ask. But I find myself compelled to ask: What influence does she have, if any, on the youth of Sierra Leone, especially our girls? I ask this because there’s a troubling contrast that needs to be addressed. Mr. President, with you having an influential TikToker in your household, someone who has a massive following, you could have utilized that influence to positively impact our youth, particularly our school children. But instead, we witnessed a choice that, frankly, raises more questions than it answers.
Just the other day, you allowed Mr. Myke Berewa, a person who surely should be known for his wisdom and dignity “Questionable one dignity though”, to employ the services of one Jarvis from Nigeria, an individual of questionable character, to influence our school children. You see, Mr. President, this was not just a minor event. It speaks volumes about your priorities. You chose someone from outside our borders, a foreigner, no less, to shape the minds of our children. Yet, we have capable Sierra Leoneans in our own country, including your own family members, who could have taken up that role. Why? Why didn’t you have your own First Lady take the lead? Is she not capable enough? She claims to be the best in every sphere of life and character, yet when it comes to influencing the youth, you decided to bring in a woman from Nigeria whose background is far from exemplary.
I don’t want to sound harsh, but the truth is that the decision to bring in a foreign influence while neglecting the potential of the people of Sierra Leone, including those in your own household, is concerning. If your wife, as First Lady, is not seen as a role model, if she is not good enough to influence the next generation of Sierra Leoneans, then what message does that send to the rest of the country? What does that say to the women of Sierra Leone, who are trying to find hope, inspiration, and leadership in the First Family?
And if the First Lady is not seen as suitable, then why not your daughter? She was given an important position in the diplomatic mission at the United Nations, a role that should come with a sense of responsibility. Why was she not tapped to inspire our youth, particularly our girls? Surely, she should be a beacon of what Sierra Leonean youth can aspire to become. Is she not influential enough to guide the future leaders of our country? Or are we to assume that she too is unworthy of the task?
The choice you made to bring in a foreign influencer for fifty-two thousand United States Dollars instead of investing in the capacity and potential of our own citizens is a decision I cannot fathom. Mr. President, how can you justify spending that kind of money on an outsider when you have a vibrant community of Sierra Leonean bloggers and TikTokers who are already using their platforms to speak for the people? These bloggers and TikTokers have been fighting in your name, promoting your government, defending your policies, and going after critics, whether they are based on politics, region, or tribe. They have been out there in the diaspora, showing allegiance to you and your government. Yet, when it comes to utilizing their talents for the benefit of the nation, they are left out in the cold.
Mr. President, was all that social media activism just a tool to further your agenda? Were these people, these bloggers and TikTokers, merely pawns in your political game, used to fight battles on your behalf without any real acknowledgment or support in return? They fought for you, advocated for your leadership, and stood by your side when it seemed like no one else would. But now, when it’s time to reward that loyalty, you choose to spend a staggering amount of public funds on a foreign influencer instead of building the capacity of your own citizens. How can this be justified?
You see, Mr. President, this is not just about money; this is about leadership, responsibility, and integrity. It’s about the message you send to the people of Sierra Leone. You have an opportunity to nurture the talents within your own borders, to elevate those who have been loyal to you, to give them a platform to make a difference in our society. Instead, you chose to enrich someone from outside our country, someone who has no true connection to the struggles and dreams of Sierra Leoneans. What does that say about your commitment to your people, to the very citizens who have supported you in various ways over the years?
Mr. President, the youth of Sierra Leone look to you for guidance, not just in terms of political leadership, but in terms of setting the right example. We live in an era where social media and digital platforms like TikTok hold immense influence over the younger generation. These platforms are a powerful tool for shaping minds, creating awareness, and fostering change. So, when you have the opportunity to use these platforms to uplift Sierra Leoneans, especially young people, why would you squander that chance by prioritizing a foreign influencer over the voices that have already rallied behind you?
I understand the importance of international relationships, but Mr. President, we must never forget where we come from. Sierra Leone is a country rich in talent, creativity, and innovation. We have bloggers, TikTokers, and other digital influencers who are not just promoting brands or pushing political agendas; they are pushing the very boundaries of what it means to be a Sierra Leonean in the 21st century. They are using their platforms to raise awareness about the issues that matter to us, to advocate for positive change, and to celebrate our culture and identity.
Yet, you chose to spend an astronomical amount of money on an outsider when we have people right here who could have achieved the same results, if not more, for far less. This decision feels like a slap in the face to those who have dedicated themselves to promoting your cause, to those who have poured their hearts into spreading your message, and to those who believe in the power of Sierra Leone’s youth.
Mr. President, I say this not out of anger but out of a deep sense of disappointment. The trust and loyalty that many of your supporters have shown you over the years should not be taken for granted. You have a responsibility to your people, to nurture their potential, to create opportunities for them, and to use your position to empower them. Instead, we are left wondering whether you truly believe in the capabilities of your own citizens or whether you are more
interested in seeking validation from foreign entities at the expense of those who have supported you from the beginning.
Mr. President, I urge you to take a step back and reevaluate your priorities. The choices you make today will shape the future of Sierra Leone for generations to come. You have an opportunity to lead by example, to support your own citizens, and to build a nation that values its people above all else. I hope you will take this opportunity to prove that you truly care about the future of Sierra Leone and that you are committed to uplifting the voices of those who have been loyal to you.
