By Sheku Putka Kamara

For starters, the public sphere is deemed to be an area in social life where individuals can come together to freely discuss and identify societal problems, and through that discussion influence political action. In this article therefore, I will look into what I have categorized as some trending topics in Sierra Leone for the last weeks or so. Whilst it is possible that my trending topics may not be of use, let it be noted that this piece is a personalistic narration and not a fictitious characterization of happenings. You are at liberty to express views in support or to counter, but in the end and like I had severally noted, it is hoped that we would make the best of the situations etc.

I will start with the issue of domestic violence. This is close to my heart because Abdul Kpaka who is alleged to have a hand in the death of the young lady Sia, is a very close and respectable comrade of mine. Through activism and coaching young people, I have known Abdul. I think we studied at FBC during the same periods (2011-215, first degree), but we did not have much connection back then. I was reading Mass Communication and he was sorting Peace and Conflict. To cut is short, we connected after graduation. On the matter of Sia and Abdul, without prejudicing anything, the incident is unfortunate and I am sure that none of them could have wished for same. Without a doubt, we all have relationship issues. Whilst some of us could sort same with our partners only, others find it very daunting and may need other factions to come in. But whatever happens, brutality should not be encouraged in relationships. Strategic communication should be able to handle all matters. I wish people would see reasonability, sincerity and reality in some of these academic propositions. The incident is sad. It is even terrible and I felt drained to have learnt about it. I can only hope that the right thing will be done and where there’s evidence (substantial enough), the law will have to take its course. We should be brave enough to quit sentimental narrations all because of prejudicial attachments. This is heavy and so I wish to end here.

On the issue of the love wahala in Kenema that resulted to a loss of life. The incident speaks to the unfaithful and unsecured nature of most people. If you are married for example, why must you be unfaithful to a point of risking others’ and your very life? This is a serious problem. Again, people have to know that this is a country of laws. Systems and processes have to be allowed. In all of those matters, I wish to call on the police to speed up investigations and to see that defaulters are brought to book. In that same matter, some colleagues in the media were justifying ethnic reportage. Without even trying, we had settled on same and that on no account should we attempt to portray any tribe or region in a bad light. That is not strategic and developmental journalism. We could always focus on the issues. So, and like I will almost always say, what is right is right and that which is wrong is wrong.

We are in the third week of examination at Fourah Bay College and just recently, I circulated a list of students that were to be investigated for alleged examination malpractice. As Examination Coordinator for the Communications Faculty at FBC, my current schedule is largely tied to and at FBC at present. When I shared the list of invited students, we had a few people that held the views that we should not have shared same online. Whilst I respect those views and opinions, let me be categorical that we have a zero-tolerance examination malpractice policy. Sadly, I am not sure that students do take time to go through all examination rules, otherwise, they’d surely not get anywhere closer to examination irregularities. The university is a place where dedication and hard work should not be treated with levity. We have also preached about prioritizing objectives. All of us should know this. As a university, we are willing and ready to do whatever will minimize if not bring an end to matters of malpractice etc. And this is where I would wish to commend the FBC administrations, Mr. Sillah as Exams Officer and the rest of the team. The composure, number and quality of invigilation for this second semester has been very prudent. It is hoped that we would not retrogress from this appreciable height. If these students are future leaders, we owe it to ourselves to see that they are able to do leave up to expectations and to match set standards tec.

To another matter – I had seen a few videos of animals attacking humans in some parts of the country. That is sad and unfortunate. Whilst some people may have offended these animals, it should never be a justification to want to take the precious right to life of compatriots. This is not a country of wild life and serious animal conservation. We cannot be mild with that explanation. The national tourist board, ministry of tourism and all stakeholders should up their games. Maybe, we can even engage Bala and the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary to be hosing some of these wild animals? It’d really be necessary where possible. If not, let us create a safer space for some of these wild guys. We cannot and should not be comfortable with reports of 2/3 attacks from time to time and do nothing about same. When these animals are killed, it ends there and the attacked gets to live with the pain, injuries and trauma, if at all there’s survival, but if we preserve and conserve these guys, it’d be cool for tourism, wild life and that’s be a revenue generation push for the country. May we do these things soon and faster.

My next topic may not be trending, but from observation and like all of us should have known, Freetown needs serious planning. Each rainy season laves us in some terrible state and that is not too welcoming. From flooding etc, how much disaster do we wish to witness? Our roads are terrible. We have to do something. Even when we know that we cannot be the US or the UK in a week or two, let us make do with the little that we have. It feels bad that these same issues keep making the news in this part of the country year-in, year-out.

To not bore you all with some plentiful readings, I will end here and retouch on my essential validation of upholding rightist and acceptable perspectives. Vices should have no place in society and so if we cannot eradicate same, a minimization would be sacrosanct! See you next time!