Sierra Leone Telegraph: 01 January 2020
Today, the world celebrates the beginning of a new decade with hope of a better future, driven by economic progress, new technology and increased wealth creation. But for the people of Sierra Leone, there is little hope of a better and brighter future.
The people of Sierra Leone have experienced ten years of economic struggle, with rising and chronic unemployment, low economic growth, alarmingly high government borrowing, rising cost of living, low investments in key sectors of the economy, and collapse of the value of the currency – the Leone.
Although successive governments promised to do all it takes to transform the country from a poverty stricken and foreign aid dependent nation, it seems the political will to take tough policy decisions, and put country before selfish, partisan interests is in short supply.
When president Julius Maada Bio was elected in March 2018, he too promised to end the suffering of the people of Sierra Leone. He promised to change how the country is governed. He promised to end impunity and lawlessness. He promised a New Direction.
But how much has changed in Sierra Leone since March 2018?
The country now has a free education programme for all state-run primary and secondary schools, which critics say is being crippled by lack of funding, low teacher morale, and growing household poverty.
There is also a new government mantra in town. Instead of the former president Koroma’s “attitudinal change and my government is running the country like a business” chorus from State house, president Bio’s mantra – “we are building the nation’s human capital” is yet to gain traction.
President Bio says investing in developing the country’s human capital is key to the country’s economic future, and its chances of capitalising and benefiting from the fourth industrial revolution pioneered by new advanced technology and innovation. Fine words indeed.
While many in Sierra Leone would agree with him, there are just too many hungry people in the country; far too many children are still dying before their fifth birthday; most adults dying before their 50th birthday due to poor health and poverty.
Access to clean drinking water and electricity, are posing immense difficulty for the vast majority of Sierra Leoneans across the country.
And with over 70% of adults out of work, including thousands of qualified university and college graduates, president Bio’s dream of taking the people of Sierra Leone to the promised land by investing in a technological revolution is proving hard to sell.
Far too many farmers are struggling to increase their production yield due to lack of investment finance, use of low productivity seeds, lack of modern farming techniques, and weak supply and value chain structures.
Far too many small and medium sized businesses are struggling to survive.
In his second New Year’s message to the people of Sierra Leone, president Bio is calling for the people, not only to be patient, but to be the change that they too would like to see in the country.
This is what he said today:
Fellow citizens, welcome to a new year – a time to bid farewell to 2019 and a time to look forward to 2020. As we look back into 2019, we were shackled with high domestic and foreign debt repayments, unfavourable mining lease agreements, low domestic productivity, high youth unemployment, high inflation and currency depreciation.
Throughout the year, our confidence and optimism as a nation were shaken by mild economic turbulence and unavoidable shocks we inherited.
Typically, Sierra Leoneans have made light of the situation with the usual humorous jibe, “the gron dry”.
But in 2019, we also made huge progress. We launched the medium term national development plan; increased domestic revenue mobilisation by streamlining and automating revenue collection and deposit processes; clarified and reduced the tax and duty burden on businesses; made it easier to establish and run a business including providing aftercare at the highest levels and provided more support for small to medium enterprises. We do this with the firm belief that private enterprise is the engine for economic expansion.
As we look forward into 2020, our Country is at peace with falling crime rates, lower prison populations and no security threat. At Bintumani 3, Sierra Leoneans suggested ways to further lower tensions and establish a permanent infrastructure for peace.
We have moved to repeal criminal libel laws that successive governments had used to suppress free speech. We continue to open up civic spaces and we encourage our citizens to speak up and make our democracy stronger and better.
In spite of the cynicism about foreign travel, we have, through those travels transformed the reputation and image of Sierra Leone abroad by comprehensively telling our friends and partners who we really are and where we are taking our nation. And they have watched our unrelenting and determined fight against corruption.
We passed the MCC’s “Control of Corruption” indicator with very high scores. They have watched us crack down on fraud and waste and reform public institutions and practices. And you know what, the IMF, EU, DFID, World Bank and our international partners have all expressed confidence in what we are doing and they have re-engaged fully.
We have actively promoted business in Sierra Leone through various investment conferences and foreign delegations have visited our country to explore investment opportunities.
The fisheries, tourism, and agricultural sectors are set for significant foreign private sector investments in the near future. We are focused on rice-sufficiency, cash crop production and agricultural value-chain addition.
As we go into 2020, more than two million children, especially girls, have access to free quality education, free teaching and learning materials, expanded healthcare services, school buses and free school feeding in some areas.
We have intensified our national campaign against early child marriage, introduced robust enforcement and tougher sentencing guidelines for sexual and gender-based violence.
Teenage pregnancy, menstrual health and hygiene are no longer taboo topics. Our women are at the centre of our country’s future development and security and we have recruited more women into our armed forces than at any time in our country’s history.
We are investing heavily in STEM disciplines especially for girls and through the Directorate of Science, Technology, and Innovation, we are harnessing the power of data and technology to support governance, business, healthcare, education, and agriculture.
We recently launched the first drone corridor in West Africa and the first block-chain-based national digital identity platform that will improve financial inclusion among other benefits.
Soon, we will convene a national forum on the future of education. We do so mindful of our national development priorities and goals and knowing that for our children to lead and participate in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the global economy, they must be equipped with a 21st century education.
We enter 2020 in a Sierra Leone where mothers in labour and critically ill-cases can now be rushed into a nearby hospital or community health centre by an ambulance they can call toll-free from the comfort of their homes.
We will continue work on lowering maternal mortality rates, expanding primary healthcare, training and recruiting more healthcare workers, and refurbishing or building new health centres all over the country.
In 2020, we will turn sod for the construction of an ultramodern diagnostic health Centre using funds recovered from corrupt officials as seed money. Our public sanitation and waste disposal investments have yielded public health benefits.
We enter 2020 with a renewed commitment to fighting climate change while improving clean energy access in off-grid rural areas and tackling energy poverty through the nearly-completed regional grid and other new initiatives.
We enter 2020 with extensive judicial reforms that have led to more access to justice. Our social protection programmes continue to support vulnerable families and we have launched a $50 million urban-mobility project.
We are also rehabilitating key trunk roads from Kailahun to Freetown and building new bridges nationwide. Big impact and high-value infrastructural projects will commence in 2020.
Our youth empowerment projects and our support for sports development, especially the Sierra Leone Premier League, have been very significant.
Fellow citizens, together we have started an inspiring journey. The challenges are huge but they are not insurmountable. Your expectations are high but they can be met. Your aspirations are boundless but they can be fulfilled. Nothing is impossible, even the miracles you expect us to perform.
Therefore, I call for your relentless optimism and hard work to develop our nation. If you share my belief that we can make Sierra Leone a better place, I urge you to share the responsibility with me for doing so with a firm commitment to make, act and be the change you want to see.
My family and I wish you all a happy and prosperous New Year. I thank you.
You can watch the broadcast here:
God bless pa Bio. May God protect you and our country – the land that we loved our Sierra Leone. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2020.
I received my POLLING DATA from my hard working colleagues who are working hard on the ground to enable us know the voting intentions of voters on the other side of the POLITICAL DIVIDE in the country. Our POLLS are only for internal use. Because I have to update the system and analyze the DATA, I will be absent and thus, miss this GLORIOUS PLATFORM for a day or two.
Also, it will enable me take a rest after a busy day of discussion/contribution on this PLATFORM. Before I forget. Sorry for the typo mistake in my last comment. GOD and not GOOD. All questions and arguments addressed to me will definitely be answered on my return.
Finally, I hope everyone will behave. No PERSONAL ATTACKS and no WAR OF WORDS. Just keep the PLATFORM calm and interesting for our numerous readers. I wish all of them a HAPPY NEW YEAR. So, concentrate on the ISSUES to “GET SALONE SORTED”. GOD BLESS YOU ALL. SEE YOU SOON.
Maada Bio is the best president Sierra Leone has ever produced. Some people hate him because he is fighting against corruption; and corruption is in their blood, just like the people they are idolizing (EBK, Sam sumana etc). If you love this country as you are claiming you must have 100% love for Maada because he is the only one that can save us from the madness APC left us in.
Two years ago I listened to Sam’s interview on Al Jazeera and he was so plain about the APC we all know. In the interview, he spoke about the corruption in the party, tribalism, selfishness and greed and even claimed that they wanted to kill him. What is happening now? Are you expecting us to elect someone who has no religion, who is not qualified as he claimed to be, who is not righteous to be our president? No you must be out of your mind. Sam will never rule this country and all those hoping for him to do so, are day dreamers.
Mr. Alimamy Turay, I hope you are not trying to let me get caught in the middle because I believe that this is just a preface of the upcoming APC party circus that is about to IMPLODE in Port Loko approximately 10 days from today. I base my information on a documentary I watched on YouTube video where some of his classmates and former principal (who I believe is man of integrity) made positive statements about the then Sixth form Senior prefect or Head Boy of the prestigious Bo School who was described as a disciplinarian.
For Mr. Matturi, probably your perception about the NPRC is different from most Sierra Leoneans who at that time saw those young soldiers as HEROES of a long awaited revolution that redeemed them from one party dictatorship under the tyranny of the APC Communist Party. “Life is a circle and the end always justifies the means“ – that’s why I tried to connect the past with the present which always sums up to 360 degrees.
Mr. Kalokoh just gave a perfect excuse why both late President Momoh and former President Koroma failed miserably which was as a result of their “ Pot bellies or Borbor Belleh” but I believe that they both failed because of their Ideology which is mainly Corruption or in Krio – “USAI U TIE COW NA DAE E DAE EAT“. But with President Bio and millions of people with One Pack stomach that was previously Six pack stomach before the age of 50 years (when the chest muscles usually collapse and convert to stomach muscles) their ideology is based on HONESTY, INTEGRITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY which are the recipes for success.
The Krio proverb always states: HOG DAE ASK E MAMA WATIN MAKE E MOT LONG DEN D MAMA SAY WAE YOU REACH ME AGE YOU GO SABI.
I promised to come back to this article. I have kept my promise. The President mentioned in his Christmas message about DFID. Has the President already been informed about the MERGING of DFID into the FOREIGN OFFICE? Things are definitely going to change when the MERGER takes place. I have been following POLITICAL and ECONOMIC development in both EUROPE and the US. All of these countries are changing in terms of how they give their TAX PAYERS MONEY away. They will never think of even PROPOSING LAWS to give their LEADERS a FREE SPENDING SPREE BLANK CHEQUE without ACCOUNTABILITY, more or less say attempting to pass it to LAW.
The present PRIME MINISTER of the UK is determined to change the way DEVELOPMENT GRANTS are given. What most countries receiving GRANTS are failing to understand including ours, is that even DEVELOPED and RICH countries have their own problems. They do anything to satisfy their CITIZENS. There are AREAS and REGIONS in developed/wealthy nations where people by their own standards are STRUGGLING to make ends meet. They will prefer diverting or reduce GRANTS destined to help countries like ours to help their own CITIZENS. That is normal. Who will say it’s a bad idea?
This just tells me that getting DFID GRANTS in the future will not be easy as it used to be in my view. No one knows what the CRITERIA for getting DFID GRANTS will look like in the future after the MERGER. So, anyone who thinks that the DFID is happy with them and will just get DFID GRANTS like drinking SPRING WATER from JUI, will just be “HABOP PAN DIEMAN SOOS”. Let’s say it like that.
Until we “GET SALONE SORTED”, we will always “HABOP PAN DIEMAN SOOS”. GOD HELP “GET SALONE SORTED”. That’s the only way out. Chief Sam Sumana will do that. Believe me.
UNDERSTOOD and NOTED Mr. Abdul Rashid Thomas; and I take full RESPONSIBILITIES for my actions. I APOLOGISE to anyone who might have been OFFENDED. Taking RESPONSIBILITY for our actions and finding solutions is all what TRUE LEADERSHIP is about. I hope people in power and government will follow our examples here on this PLATFORM. One of the CRITERIA to “GET SALONE SORTED” is TRUE LEADERSHIP which hopefully will be delivered very soon.
DISCIPLINE is PARAMOUNT on this PLATFORM. That is why I am PROUD to be part of it. No one is above the rules. Sometimes our EMOTIONS just get out of hand and sometimes we tend to say things that are UNACCEPTABLE. But the editor is always watching to make sure all is OK.
GOD BLESS OUR GLORIOUS PLATFORM and GOD help Mr. Abdul Rashid Thomas maintain DISCIPLINE on this PLATFORM. GOD HELP “GET SALONE SORTED”. AMEN AND AMEN.
Happy New Year to this forum. I have just returned to my base in the Diaspora from a well-earned vacation in Sierra Leone. While in Sierra Leone, I stayed away from the internet as I didn’t want any distractions to my celebration of life in my motherland.
One of the curious developments that hit me upon accessing the internet again was the news of Mr. Samuel Samsumana rejoining the APC. Is this the return of the prodigal son to the dysfunctional formation often referred to as the ALL People’s Corruption or is it something else? Before commenting on this, I would like to know who made Samsumana chief? A chief in Sierra Leonean culture is a revered individual who is trusted by his/her subjects. How can anyone in his/her right mind elevate an obnoxious character like Samsumana to that pedestal?
Samsumana and the APC may be attracted to each other because just as it is tendential for unsavory characters to blossom in unsavory environments, so it is true that repulsive formations would tend to look out for insipid characters to promote their obnoxious and nauseating existence. But even with this, it is hard to imagine that a political party that is fronted by core tribalists and regional hegemonists would ever think of electing as leader a person from a totally different region.
At any rate, let’s for the sake of argument contend that the APC would SELECT the morally bankrupt Samsumana as its flagbearer in 2023. Would Sierra Leoneans really elect as president a man who was caught in an AL-Jazeera sting operation soliciting a bribe while serving as vice president? The videos of that infamous development still exist in social media and would easily be used by Sierra Leone’s development partners against Sierra Leone.
Notwithstanding the above, the same APC that is now welcoming Samsumana is the same party that had expelled him a few years ago for lying about his religion and his academic qualifications. So, what kind of government would Samsumana be expected to establish in Sierra Leone? A government in which a gory of corruption would become the defining character trait of power and leadership?
Suffice it that Samsumana is as unserious a character as the party that he dreams about leading. Sierra Leone has turned the corner and the trajectory of development that is now uplifting the country should neither be interrupted by a nefarious political party nor by an integrity-challenged man who could easily pass for the bogeyman of Sierra Leonean politics.
Mr. Bilal Coleman. You are very wrong about your analysis concerning the ALJAZEERA report over Chief Sam Sumana. Did you follow the story very well or you just got some FAKE NEWS from, I don’t know where. I respect the Sierra Leonean journalist who was misled on this SCANDAL very much. He was just tricked.
It was difficult for me then to see one of our greatest JOURNALISTS in such a MESS. The problem was so terrible that even ALJAZEERA has to abandon him. The journalist in question was one I respected so much because of his DOCUMENTARY and REPORTING on the rebel war. But what I would do, is to tell everyone on this PLATFORM that you are wrong and your evidence is incorrect. By the way, do you have any evidence that you can provide to us to prove the FAKE NEWS?
Finally, I am kindly asking you to help elect Chief Sam Sumana become the next APC LEADER and “GET SALONE SORTED”. You can help in many ways. The simplest way is to ask APC members, friends or MPs to vote for Chief Sam Sumana in any APC future LEADERSHIP election. If you do that, you will be one of my heroes and will get a roll in the “GET SALONE SORTED” MOVEMENT. Does that make SENSE or CLICKS good?
GOD BLESS Mr. Bilal Coleman and may GOD help him join the effort to “GET SALONE SORTED”.
Mr. Bilal Coleman. Please read this piece from the STANDARD TIMES NEWSPAPER then.
http://standardtimespress.org/?p=1406
Compare this article with your so called video I would like to See. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me via this PLATFORM. Happy New Year and help “GET SALONE SORTED”. GOD BLESS YOU.
Sorry Mr. Alimamy Turay. “TRAFFIC CONGESTION” on the PLATFORM. Maybe time to take some rest after the CELEBRATION. I REGRET AND APOLOGISE MATE. Some times “FRIENDLY FIRE” happens. Just take it as an unavoidable friendly fire. Please forgive me. GOD BLESS YOU Mr Alimamy Turay.
Again to Mr. Alimamy Turay, I still stand by my words that I am going to HOLD FIRE for the time being. You can say anything now as long as you remain MEASURED with your RHETORIC. It takes me just a few minutes to counter attack if I want to and make you feel bad. That I will assure you. You have been warned. Make no mistake. I will respond in kind and with LETHAL casualty of words.
Presently, I am engaged in making sure Chief Sam Sumana becomes the next APC LEADER and INFLICT heavy POLITICAL DISASTER on any OPPOSING POLITICAL FORCE come 2023. This is not only a NEW YEAR but a NEW DECADE. So, I want to start as HUMBLE as possible to make sure that we “GET SALONE SORTED”. I believe you want to “GET SALONE SORTED” too. So stop all your JEALOUS and BORING RHETORIC and talk to your friends, relatives, APC MPs and Members to help Chief Sam Sumana elected next LEADER of the APC PARTY and “GET SALONE SORTED”. PUNT UIT!
Take caution and note that you are using words like erratic. When you use it, it’s no personal attack but when I counter by TWEAKING the QUEEN’S LANGUAGE, they come out singing “PERSONAL ATTACKS”. Mr. Alimamy Turay somewhere in the UNIVERSE PRACTICING PERSONAL ATTACKS and APPALLING, DISGUSTING, DREADFUL, HORRENDOUS, EVIL and JEALOUS RHETORIC against me. Can you imagine? I will come back to this comment sometime down the road. GOD BLESS Mr Alimamy Turay.
Mr Matturi – please calm down. Lets keep our discussions civil. The aim is to engage in debates, not war of words, otherwise we will fail to convince others to see and understand our points of view. Let us respect each other. Thank you.
Well, Sahr Matturi, I think you have got it all wrong mate. I have no complain about your ability to read and understand simple statements. My comment was in response to Mr Alusine Fallay’s comment.
Perhaps, it would be worthwhile going back and read the two comments – Alusine’s and mine. Thanks for your opinion about me, though. I know the limits of my capability. No offence, mate. I give you the benefit of the doubt, this time.
The biggest disaster that has ever happened in Sierra Leone is not War,Ebola,or mudslides,but the election of Madaa Bio to the highest office in the land!. Tell them Saidu Conteh said so! Deny it if you want to,but its true. Old Stevens the master of the game of Shrewd understood keenly,that the SLPP and their obstinate leaders,cannot,and will not ever embrace national progress, cohesiveness,and tolerance,no matter what you did.
Shower them with bags of gold,or babysit them tenderly like suckling infants,it won’t make a difference,they will remain deplorable,and disagreeable all the same. Why are these big-headed,haughty people chasing investors away,and tarnishing the reputation of a country already struggling,and on its knees Saidu? Well, arrogance lacks the abilities to listen, empathize, prioritize, and negotiate; and sadly my friend – that’s the SLPP way,and it is disgraceful beyond what words can ever express. (lol)
But Saidu,give them a chance,this is a new Year perhaps,just perhaps,these noisy featherless,disgruntled chickens,can somehow manage to grow wings,and fly.(lol). Wishful thinking,my friend,wings cannot be grown overnight,existence bestows them as a gift to those with hearts as clear as new mirrors,so that they can soar to the eternal heavens,and leave their footprints as magical engravings on the most bluest of skies.
So is there no hope for the people of Sierra Leone Great Sayedna? Is that what you are really saying? Well,wherever there is life, there also will hope abound. But for hope to transform itself into a desired outcome,sincerity of purpose must lead and show the way. So you see friend, let us be real; a dubious, deceptive SLPP government without any honest and truthful soul, can offer you nothing but fake, flimsy promises that are eventually not ever going to be realized……Rising Sun Will Rise Again.
You are sick my bro and u need serious mental check up.
Denis – we do not encourage personal attacks here. Please take it elsewhere. Thank you. No warning next time. Thank you.
Its utterly absurd,and outright ridiculous to hear some eerie minded, totally out of touch Caterpillar quoting the legendary Old Steven’s opinion on Vigilance. Now since it has now become the newest annoying attitude of SLPP supporters to use words and phrases they don’t quite understand, let me explain clearly to you guys what Vigilance is. Vigilance is another word for watchfulness, carefulness, circumspection, and attentiveness. Its sole, main and intrinsic purpose is for it to be used specifically to draw attention, only and purposefully to situations,and conditions where dangers, problems and difficulties are imminent or likely to arise.
Now answer this: What dangers, difficulties and problems does your authoritarian mindset really believe and think liberal speech and the inalienable rights of freedom of expression can possibly expedite, cause or create in any authentic democratic society in the world?
“The price of Liberty is eternal vigilance” Old Stevens took this words directly from Thomas Jefferson,and it means citizens must ensure that the freedom of the Press,and independence of the judiciary are not compromised,tainted,and reduced by government interferences,as our morbidly obese President is doing now.(lol) The Chief Justice is in a headlock,rendered totally useless,incapacitated by constantly being bullied, abused, and used as a puppet to advance the policies,and agendas of an inept, criminal,and lawless government.
Vigilance demands that this has to stop. Now, lastly here’s my New Year gift to everyone on this glorious forum. “Everyone has the right to Freedom of Expression, and opinion, this right includes Freedom to hold opinions without interferences,and to seek,receive,and impart information,and ideas through any media,regardless of FRONTIERS”…Beautiful words, indeed! Solid Foundations for any Democracy still crawling in its infancy to build on. (Its called the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – article 19) Enough said! Rising Sun Will Rise Again.
Even if you bring Ernest B. Koroma again, he will not see power in Sierra Leone because he put the country in a mess before leaving. He tribalised the nation and damaged it. So it cannot be change over night.
Am a bit happy with the commission of enquiry screening this so called APC; and we are appealing to the government for those found guilty of corrupt acts in the past administration to refund the state and go to jail at the same. They brought the hardship in the country. Their offspring are making a lot of comments on social media, so let their uncles, aunties, father and mother pay for their numerous corrupt acts.
We are slowly moving in the right direction and I’m confident that we will get the foundations necessary for a sustainable development. Bear in mind that this government came to power on the 04.04.2018 and today is the 01.01.2020. Their style is not mine but they have done some good planning that future governments will benefit from.
As someone in the planning sector, I know that it takes time to set things right. I’ll advise our government to put more energy in agriculture and heavily engage our traditional leaders (chiefdoms) in the planning and execution. They must also reduce the number of petty trading especially in our youth population and engage this number in farming. It is very easy to plan and execute!
We will Prevail!
PHEW, the WISHY-WASHY New Year’s message is finally out. What a WISHY-WASHY New Year’s message in DECADES. The first WISHY-WASHY message was during NPRC JUNTA RULE. There is nothing decisive in the President’s message to relieve the suffering masses of their problems. The President did not talk about making Sierra Leone a place/country “worth living in” this time around. He realized that Sierra Leone is not a SLUMP.
It’s a country worth living in. All he was aiming at is to “GET SALONE SORTED”. The President should have asked us to be patient because, he is trying to “GET SALONE SORTED”. He did not ask. No problem. Chief Sam Sumana is going to “GET SALONE SORTED” if he wins the APC LEADERSHIP election.
From the President’s New Year’s speech, there are many pieces of PUZZLES that need to be SORTED out. Concerning the President’s development projects, he referred everything to the NEAR FUTURE. No TIMELINE or DATE. Can you imagine? CLUMSY. The NEAR FUTURE will never come in my view. It will only come when “THE GRON GEH EYE”. Those waiting will wait forever. The President talked about his government’s policies on TAX which only help the RICH and WEALTHY BUSINESS PEOPLE.
I was surprised that the President did not talk about other areas like the increase of LICENCES for TRAWLERS and particularly LICENCES on the boats of LOCAL FISHERMEN which have lead to the increase of the PRICE of the PEOPLE’S only AFFORDABLE source of PROTEIN. DENY.
This MISERY is going to continue until we “GET SALONE SORTED”. The only way to get us out of this MESS is to “GET SALONE SORTED” by appealing to the APC to make sure they elect Chief Sam Sumana as their next LEADER to clear this HORRIBLE MESS.
The President also talked about the IMF, DFID etc. He even said the IMF are happy with his policies. AUSTERITY that brings unending suffering on the people? FINE. Just wait. Another DEBT PACKAGE will be announced soon. A NEW YEAR’s DEBT PRESENT.
More comments will follow. GOD BLESS our country and GOD help “GET SALONE SORTED”
As expected, our president has once again given a highly fine tuned speech, encompassing many of the criteria and optimism needed by a country whose citizens have given up hope after successive governments over the years making promise after promise but nothing to show for. As a Sierra Leonean, i indeed applaud this regime’s effort in building the human capital via investment in the educational sector.
As we begin this new year, my hope is, the regime will focus in ruling the country as a government rather than a political party. The government must be seen as serving the interest of all Sierra Leoneans, not just party supporters and other interested partners. So far, the fight against corruption, legal justice, the rule of law, employment opportunities and a host of other things has been mainly political. The new year should be match with more realistic actions rather than good speeches by the president.
It’s rather unfortunate for President Bio to inherit this amount of problems after he chose to sacrifice his life to defend the Flag and people of our nation, rather than pursue university education after successfully completing his secondary school education at the prestigious Bo School.
The 11 years civil war which started under the one party dictatorship of the APC government took a toll on all sectors of our country which resulted in the complete breakdown and destruction of the entire system. President Bio took the bold step to topple the one party dictatorship and initiated peace talks with the rebel leader which was the foundation for the peace and democracy that brought him back to power through the ballot box.
Unfortunately the New system that was painfully built by late President Kabba was again destroyed from 2007 to 2018 through corruption and mismanagement – example: Debt Free Economy, selling our shares of the Sierra Rutile, Mortgaging our Iron Ore to flyby investors, Education, Justice System and Law Enforcement. Even the special court that should have served as monument for the establishment of peace and justice was completely ruined. Now the few systems that the former President Koroma tried to maintain should be built upon in order to get our country back on its feet.
I hope and pray that the New Direction government and the people of our country will win the fight against illiteracy and corruption which will eventually transform the whole system that will last for centuries.
I don’t get the logic behind Mr. Alusine Fallay’s reasoning in mentioning President Bio with the NPRC JUNTA DARK DAYS. It does not make sense and is not helpful to the President in my view. What would Mr. Alusine Fallay say to people who believe that the overthrow of the APC by the NPRC was UNDEMOCRATIC?
Mr. Alusine Fallay said in his comment and I quote “President Bio took the bold step to topple the one party dictatorship”. Was the NPRC a DEMOCRATIC or DICTATORSHIP regime? Please reply Mr Alusine Fallay. GOD BLESS YOU.
This guy is becoming desperate and somewhat erratic. Is he already suffering from the Sam-sumana factor? He seems to have lost all his ideas and is trying to paraphrase or twist anything that comes to his mind that will give credence to SLPP’s way of thinking. For instance, he is insinuating that President Bio “rather than pursue university education after successfully completing his secondary school education” he decided “to sacrifice his life to defend the flag and people of our nation”. But the last time I checked, Julius Bio dropped out from school, and decided to join the army. He did not achieve enough grades to qualify for sixth form studies or university entrance.
Mr Falay also seeks to deceive many of us by implying that former President Ernest Bai Koroma did not accomplish any type of development for the country, but instead only maintained a few of the relics that late President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah successfully constructed. Take it easy man … and don’t try to manufacture or fabricate the truth. The bottom line is former President Koroma has set a record – in terms of the development of the country – that would be difficult to break by any past or future President. Give the man his dues – even though he is not waving the green flag, and hence not your demigod.
By the way, was the National Provisional Ruling Council (NPRC) not a splinter group of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF)? Was there any relationship between Maada Bio and late Foday Sankoh? The truth will come out, one day.
Let me first of all say “PRAISE BE TO GOD” and “ALHAMDULILLA” for enabling us see and live our lives this NEW YEAR. This just tells everyone how GREAT GOD/ALLAH is. “GOD IS GREAT”! and “ALLAHUAKBAR”!. Let’s just say thanks to the ALMIGHTY GOD/ALLAH and ask for his blessings/protection now and FOREVER. GOD BLESS this PLATFORM and all FORUMITES. AMEN AND AMEN.
Here we go again, another boring speech full of flimsy self praises and superficial perceptions, far removed from every day reality. What’s your plan Mr President for removing millions of our people from the clutches of abject poverty and starvation? This fact remains unchanged – this President is serious about the wrong things (lol) He’s resolute about borrowing high interests loans, about fleecing and milking the system dry, discreetly and tarnishing the reputation, credibility and image of our beloved nation through his outright contempt and disdain for the rule of law and international ties and obligations.
He is a lawless leader that lacks the abilities to sensibly reason and persuade investors to adopt Sierra Leone as their second home, as a place where they could become legitimate stakeholders in the future prosperity of our beloved nation. Again, the man is unskilful and inconsistent. He says one thing and practices another. He resembles a Head fisherman, surrounded by a staggering,inebriated,unproductive crew with nets torn and a boat full of holes, plugged here and there, badly in need of repair that is leaking profusely, yet being overlooked and ignored.
Priorities are not in order, never has been and never will be for this morbidly obese, Pot belly, inept, delusional, lackadaisical President and his wayward team…Rising Sun Will Rise Again.
When people speak from patriotic point you can sense and see the realities of the country’s situation but when naive people speak you sense and see the portrayal of their political ideology. When a man prays for his household to fail, consider him to be a witch; and when a man is so passionate about pessimism, consider him as failure.
You can bring the change you want to see by renewing your minds and finding something to do. By this we can still hope for the better and make Sierra Leone a better place to live.
Mr. Editor, in president Bio’s End Of Year speech, he laid out some salient points why the country should feel optimistic and stay resilient to the many vagaries of surviving as a nation. Indeed, he said this in reference to criminal liability for journalists to adhere to pivotal tenants of stellar journalism, thus, “We have moved to repeal criminal libel laws, that successive governments had used to suppress free speech”.
Hold on Mr. President, not so fast. There are several reasons why successive governments have repeatedly refused to cancel this criminality carte blanche. How about individual citizen’s own subjugation to desist from pure and malicious propaganda, by attacking other people’s reputations, moral, ethical and even debase body shaming of politicians, and other prominent citizens in society at large.
Witness the frequent attacks on the president by shamefully attacking him because of his looks, body weight, height, appetite, type of food he consumes, and even the proportion of food on his plate compared to other citizens. This is petty, at best.
The same criteria that is been applied to journalists to observe decorum, desist from personal attacks, among others, must apply to anyone to frivolously engage in personal attacks by attempting to embarrass any other person, particularly government officials, especially, the president.
Don’t tell me it is censorship, because it is not. The venerable Siaka Sevens once said, and I quote, “The price of freedom is vigilance”.
In this regard, the editor of this newspaper must take responsibility as to what can be included in his paper by establishing stringent guidelines as to what is acceptable to write and hence to be published. Newspapers are in the business of informing the public, not shaming and harassing anyone on the bases of their political ideology. Happy New Year.
“The same criteria that is been applied to journalists to observe decorum, desist from personal attacks, among others, must apply to anyone to frivolously engage in personal attacks by attempting to embarrass any other person, particularly government officials, especially, the president.” – Murray Sandy.
Mr Sandy, reading your comment, I really do hope Sierra Leone does not become a fascist State. What you describe today as frivolous attacks on public officials are no different from what public officials including former president Koroma were subjected to by supporters of the opposition SLPP who are now in power. Why do you want to move the goalpost. It’s all part of our cherished liberal democracy.
Please feel free to respond accordingly to those comments you believe are expressing views that are contrary to your values and principles. Thank you.
“Witness the frequent attacks on the president by shamefully attacking him because of his looks, body weight, height, appetite, type of food he consumes, and even the proportion of food on his plate compared to other citizens. This is petty, at best.” In what context that the people of Sierra Leone concerning themselves with their president’s eating habit petty?
If the man can’t govern his overarching belly to a relatively normal size, then what makes you think that he can govern a nation consisting of seven million people?
All jokes aside Mr. Sandy. We the people of Sierra Leone need the president to physically be in the best shape possible, always. It is imperative that he does that. And although being a healthy president does not automatically makes for an ideal leader, Bio would at least be in a better position to see things clearly, and possibly make better leadership judgements when doing his job.
Mr. Murray Sandy. With all due respect. Let’s stop this SLPP “FOO FOO WAN POT” losing POLITICS. I respect your views but, things are changing rapidly because, the SLPP is failing to deliver the GOODS. Just promises. JACK OF ALL TRADES AND MASTER OF NONE.
Forget about defending the President’s GOOD LIVING STATUS. What he eats, wears or does, do not matter to the suffering masses. The only advice I will give is for you to join me “GET SALONE SORTED”. You can help by talking with APC members, PARLIAMENTARIANS, family or friends to do all they could to elect Chief Sam Sumana as LEADER and “GET SALONE SORTED”. This be a better and noble thing to do than to defend the President’s “GOOD LIVING” STATUS. I hope you listen to my advice.
MAY GOD BLESS YOU.
President Bio – the country has heard a lot of blaspheming. Stop the rhetoric and face the causes of the chaos in the country, and deliver optimal solutions.