Touching on a Few Issues as we Navigate 2025…
By Sheku Putka Kamara
Author – Sheku Putka Kamara
If you have been following, you may have learnt that I made an argument the other day as to why President Bio should revoke in clear terms the appointments of LAJ and Kao Denero as Peace and Entertainment ambassadors. Devoid of prejudices, I am incontestably optimistic that the two gentlemen have not matched standards and so taking back those appointments would be a step in the right direction. For all we know, they are hip-hop stars and so if the beef and rap would continue to take centre stage, so be it, but we should not be comfortable to see those guys doing things that are uncalled for an unwelcomed. I may touch on this again, but let us hope that JMB would act now and swiftly, too.
On Parliament versus the ACC. Could it be a case of overzealousness? I heard Ben Kaifala, the ACC Boss suggesting that Tawa Conteh, the Deputy Speaker of P’Ment and Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee should be ‘called to order.’ Tawa on the other hand was very categorical that the Audit report is a ‘property of P’Ment.’ In essence, he argued that no other institution could do or should do anything with the said report without the approval and or sanction of Parliament. This is my take; Tawa and Ben Kaifala should continue to work and not give us all the very unnecessary talks. What happened to collaboration and facilitation? Granted, the ACC is an independent body; could its leadership therefore and however engage Parliament and bring to book matters of interest? Expectedly, most, if not all issues in the Audit Report would be of interest to the ACC. Can Parliament therefore expedite things and call on the ACC where necessary? In times like these, institutions have to be reminded that we prefer more works than talks. Let us hope that this is settled, soonest because we just have to move!
The other day, I was invited to talk on how some Sierra Leone Premier League Clubs had unveiled some buses etc and the impact, if you like. Whiles that is some good news, it is worrying that we still have teams that lack basic investments. It says so much about where we are headed and what is happening in this country. Like we have mostly been saying, we all need to do more in this country and the time is now. There has to be some serious efforts in all we do and that is what will begin to guarantee some enviable if not undeniable progress. Until then, we all should be able to be in positions and to continue to do those things that really matter!
Effective February and for three weeks, the Community Relations Department of the Sierra Leone Police has asked all commercial motorbike riders to desist from plying the CBD; with a particular focus on a few other places too. Whiles the move may be seen as a step to enhance sanitization and some free flow of traffic, it is very important for the law to strictly be adhered to. If matters of connections take centre stage during the exercise, we may not be able to see the full effects. It is on that note that I call on the SLP to ensure strict compliance, whiles urging bike riders to equally be cautious and to take note. If we all truly desire to make things work in this country, there would be no stopping us.
USL would soon do matriculations for the new guys; those starting in Year 1, at least. Already, some continuing classes are almost done with some modules. It is high time we put an end to some of these academic imbalances. Already, the new ones are likely going to have some Usain Bolt semester and you’d wonder why not. There has to be a way we continue to sanitize things. It is hoped that the traditional December graduation will continue, but the traditional October/November first semester for all, including freshmen and women is also an essential necessity. May we get back to those days and soon!
Lastly, I want to touch on the current APC-SLPP tussle about who is progressive and who is not. Now, for starters, it is no news that these parties have been castigating themselves for ages, but maybe this new fight has been engineered by Dr David Sengeh when he described the APC as some ‘un-progressive’ political party. Let us agree that same is inaccurate and insulting, but the truth is, there is some sense of validity if we were to adopt some particular affirmative mechanisms. Both the APC and SLPP had promised to do things in this country, but they are yet to fulfil some of these promises. When that happens, it is best to suggest that they are both not productive and reliable. In summary, these two political parties should continue to get to work and do less talking. People have eyes, ears and brains to determine who’s productive or not and I want to believe that where reasonability is primary, same would be an essential consideration on election day. May God continue to help us all, Aameen!
