By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara
The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, has issued a strong rebuttal to remarks made by the Chief Minister, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, during an interview on AYV. In his address, Dr. Sengeh described opposition leaders as “unprogressive” for criticizing government policies, a comment Hon. Kargbo has termed as “reckless and irresponsible.”
Hon. Kargbo emphasized that criticism is an integral part of democracy and good governance. “One outstanding quality of a good leader is how they handle criticism. When you receive constructive feedback, it is important to listen carefully and respectfully. Interrupting, arguing, or justifying oneself detracts from the opportunity to learn and improve,” he remarked.
The opposition leader highlighted how the All-People’s Congress (APC) handled criticism during their time in government. He noted that under the APC’s leadership, inflation never surged to the unprecedented levels currently being experienced. “Inflation never went up to 54% under our watch. The cost of a bag of rice only moved from Le 60 to Le 200 in 10 years. All salaries were paid before Christmas, and the minimum wage afforded citizens three bags of rice,” Hon. Kargbo stated.
In response to the Chief Minister’s assertion that the opposition has not provided alternatives to government policies, Hon. Kargbo directed him to parliamentary records. “The Chief Minister doesn’t need to look too far for alternative policies from the opposition. Parliamentary Hansards contain several proposals from the opposition addressing government policies,” he explained.
Hon. Kargbo concluded his response by reiterating the importance of respectful dialogue and constructive criticism in nation-building. “When leaders engage in productive conversations, it strengthens democracy and ensures the welfare of our citizens,” he said.
The statement by the opposition leader underscores the ongoing tension between the ruling and opposition parties, particularly in light of the economic challenges facing the nation.
