By Dadson A. Musa
We started the journey of democratic dispensation since 1996 and have not looked back although there had been bumps on the road. I remember the time citizens stood firm with the help of the international community against the AFRC military junta coup which was reversed. Sierra Leone has since been respected by the world for our democratic stance. Leadership is not an easy thing and never a child’s play. Governance itself is an art which requires tactful and sober minds to handle. Our current president, Dr. Julius Maada Bio comes from a ruling house in the Bonthe district, south of Sierra Leone as his father was a Paramount Chief so leadership should not be too strange to him, though. He was able to defeat an incumbent regime that had all the money, security and other resources. We are in a democracy and he will have to run his second term out and hand power over to a deserving winner.
Legacy in leadership is key and a lasting one is all the more important. Since winning his first term in 2018, he has brought in some good reforms, one of which is giving access to education to all our children and youths. The free quality education has seen a rise in the number of children attending school now. There is radical inclusion of children in every facet of life; pregnant girls, disables, young lactating mothers etc. Examination fees in public exams are being paid now.
Secondly, energy access has tripled across the country. Most chiefdom headquarter towns now have access to electricity which is boosting economic growth. And the capital city, Freetown has seen improvement in electricity supply. It is no longer the darkest city in Africa as we used to know it. Also, the provincial headquarters of Makeni, Bo and Kenema are now lit up far better than before.
Thirdly there’s is improvement in road networks across the country and a retired driver testified that in their days the roads were so terrible that it took them long time to get to their destinations even days sometimes. Also now, due to the good road networks vehicles are lasting longer now in Sierra Leone and needing less maintenance.
And finally, among the lot there is Feed Salone project launch which the government is ready to commit huge resources to and muster donor support. If government succeeds with this, there is going to be two good things; end the prevailing hunger and then help us balance our budget thereby putting the economy in good shape.
These successes have come amidst difficulties of the corona virus outbreak which saw the shutting down of economic activities not only in Sierra Leone but across the world. It posed a lot of headaches for the government and has had consequences for the country.
Another difficulty is the Russian/Ukraine war which has had serious knock – on effect on especially low-income country like Sierra Leone.
That said, President Bio went in for a second term mandate and got it. He is close to doing one year of his second term and he has about four years to go. Lasting legacy which marks great leadership is what we are looking up to see. First, our minerals which have mined a lot since 1930s and has benefited foreigners and foreign countries more than us as a country must be corrected before he leaves office. We have a good number of precious minerals which can turn things around for us. In addition to that, a rich marine resource which pirates are having a field taking away. If these resources are harnessed to our advantage the MCC money which has so many strings and conditions attached will be overlooked.
Thirdly, empower Sierra Leonean commerce and revamp local content. This is so that we put the economy back in the hands of Sierra Leoneans and this will stop capital flight. Profits made from businesses will stay here. Currently, Lebanese, Indians, Nigerians, Ghanaians etc are running our major businesses including contracts and taking the profits away.
Furthermore, we want you as a matter of urgency to stem the fraying of the economy. Our economy ” is stupid” right and needs enough sense to be put into it. Stop the never – ending – inflation since independence in 1961.
And finally, think outside the box and unite this country. It needs to be done for our good as a country as we can only grow if we are united. Every tribe, region or political party must speak with one voice for Sierra Leone to grow as we reach 67 years as an independent, sovereign country. There are individuals who are now beating the gun by announcing too early that they want to succeed president Bio. Let them help you leave these lasting legacies first before endorsing any one of them.
Copy right –Printed in the Expo Times News on MONDAY, April 8th, 2024 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
