THE CUMMINGS PERSPECTIVE
Inspired by Sam Maimbo’s Call for Africa
By Jensen Brian Abass Cummings
“We have enough plans and ideas for Africa. What we need now is execution at exceptional pace and scale.”
— Dr. Sam Maimbo, AfDB Presidential Candidate
Africa is not short on ideas. From regional integration blueprints to national transformation agendas, the continent has no shortage of well-crafted development strategies. But as Dr. Sam Maimbo, a leading candidate for the African Development Bank (AfDB) presidency, rightly noted in one of his recent speeches, the real problem lies in the gap between policy formulation and policy execution.
These words are not just relevant for the African continent at large — they strike at the heart of Sierra Leone’s development struggles. Our country has drafted and adopted numerous national plans aimed at social progress, economic revitalization, and institutional reform. However, the impact of these plans remains slow to manifest, leaving the average citizen disillusioned, frustrated, and economically vulnerable.
A History of Promises: Applauding the Vision
Sierra Leone’s government, both past and present, deserves recognition for its vision and planning capacity. Several key policy documents and strategies stand out:
- The Agenda for Change (2008–2012) and Agenda for Prosperity (2013–2018) provided broad development frameworks.
- The Medium-Term National Development Plan (2019–2023) aligned with global development goals and emphasized human capital, governance, and infrastructure.
- The New Direction: 2018-2023—the trajectory of the first term of the Bio Presidency
- The current government’s Big Five Game Changers prioritize critical sectors such as agriculture, education, energy, healthcare, and infrastructure.
These policy instruments are comprehensive and demonstrate a keen understanding of the nation’s challenges. In particular, the Free Quality Education Initiative is a landmark policy that has expanded access to education for millions of children, laying the groundwork for a more knowledgeable workforce. The digitization of public services and efforts to increase transparency have also been steps in the right direction.
The Problem: Too Slow, Too Small, Too Late
Despite these ambitious plans, the country remains stuck in a cycle of underdevelopment and poverty. The disconnect between policy and practice is glaring. Sierra Leoneans still face monumental challenges accessing the most basic necessities of life: clean water, consistent electricity, affordable healthcare, food security, and reliable employment.
A few examples illustrate this clearly:
- In rural districts like Koinadugu and Moyamba, road networks are barely passable, making trade and access to services burdensome.
- In the bustling urban markets of Freetown and Bo, traders still struggle with erratic power supply, affecting storage, sales, and security.
- In towns like Makeni and Magburaka, university graduates wander in search of scarce job opportunities despite being educated and willing to work.
These are not isolated issues — they are widespread symptoms of a systemic delay in delivering results. For many citizens, life has not significantly changed despite successive governments unveiling ‘new dawns’ and ‘people-centered’ approaches.
A Call for Exceptional Execution
Dr. Sam Maimbo’s challenge to African leaders — that we now need execution at exceptional pace and scale — is a call Sierra Leone must heed with urgency. We have reached a tipping point where the people no longer want to hear about plans. They want to see results.
To match this new demand for performance, the following must happen:
- Speed of Implementation Must Improve
Development programs often suffer from unnecessary delays due to red tape, poor procurement systems, and inadequate coordination. Timeframes must be shortened, and bureaucratic processes streamlined. - Project Monitoring Must Be Strengthened
Accountability systems must be enforced. Every major government project should have performance indicators, quarterly reviews, and community scorecards to track impact. - Decentralization Must Be Actualized
Local councils and community-based organizations should be empowered with the resources and autonomy to deliver projects based on local priorities. - Public-Private Partnerships Must Be Deepened
Government alone cannot drive development. The private sector, NGOs, and diaspora communities should be involved in scaling solutions in agriculture, health, education, and technology. - Political Will Must Be Matched With Technocratic Execution
Leadership at all levels must go beyond campaign slogans and ensure that qualified professionals lead policy delivery with efficiency, transparency, and passion.
Sierra Leoneans Deserve Better
From the scars of a brutal civil war to regime changes, economic setbacks, and health crises like Ebola and COVID-19, the people of Sierra Leone have endured enough. Yet, the country is blessed with abundant mineral resources — gold, diamonds, bauxite, rutile — and a resilient, educated population.
It is time to turn these resources and talents into tangible improvements in people’s lives.
Let us not allow good ideas to rot in filing cabinets or remain in PowerPoint presentations. Let them come alive through visible development, inclusive growth, and national transformation.
Conclusion: From Aspiration to Action
Dr. Maimbo’s words should be more than just a political campaign line — they should become a governing philosophy for Sierra Leone and for Africa as a whole. Vision without execution is merely hallucination. As a nation, we are capable of achieving greatness, but only if we act now — boldly, rapidly, and decisively.
The people are no longer waiting for speeches. They are waiting for change. And the time for that change is now.
Copyright –Published in Expo Magazine, May-June 2025 Edition Vol.3, No.4, (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
