Raymond Dele Awoonor-Gordon: Sierra Leone Telegraph: 7 May 2019:
The only thing worse than collective amnesia is wilful selective amnesia. It is a highly potent concentrated brew of sheer hypocrisy, genetic mediocrity and downright amorality. Our worst can’t bring out our best, obviously one would think.
People are not interested in just tales of who’s corrupt. It’s clear to every citizen that the level of corruption in the country is disturbing, even now. Beyond that however, majority are hurting and hungry.
The extent people go because of poverty is sometimes alarming… I totally agree that no matter what structures are put on the ground by our government, our lack of empathy and loss of moral compass will not make it work.
But what’s going to happen in the short, medium and long term that will assuage the pains that the people have to endure in the marathon to a new Sierra Leone? That is the question.
We are still locked into the high value-low volume mindset in approaching the rebuilding of the economy, I sincerely believe. And our attempts at mass empowerment are, to be polite, forming.
Allocation is not a solution. We should focus on utilisation and impact target attainment. Money on its own cannot solve our problems and we don’t begin to have nearly enough of it any way.
I do not know any magic wand which the government can wave to moderate the expected quick desire of a people pauperised by years of neglect and indifference to their plight.
But, whatever way it can muster, it has to, in a fast manner, set the visible and concrete tone that will show the way of translation from poverty, while expecting the people to be patient.
The people are trusting, even at the risk of becoming highly gullible. And despite the widespread apprehension, disillusion and anger, they are still desperate to follow any star to national discovery and recovery.
But if the government which inherited a deficit economy want us to be patient with it, the people will listen so long as they and their family members live modestly and embark on projects, which identify with the plight of the poor – aside the most populist ones.
Yes, transparent projects not suspicious of any financial inducements to them and their cronies, as well as that which will benefit the poor masses in the long term, is the sine qua non. This much is clear.
It is essential that it quickly puts in place, some programmes which are of short-term benefits as a relief and reprieve.
The New Direction cannot embark on selective generosity to any segment of the populace whom it thinks it must please in order to remain popular or acceptable; or to people whom it thinks can blackmail them or make life difficult for them.
We are in this for a while. Remember when I said it’s going to be a long dance? Once you get to the bottom of a pit, you need double energy and have a good vision to climb out.
We can sing praises and write all the epistles we want to write till thy kingdom come, the mind of a hungry man is a deposit for anger and indifferent attitudes to reading and political carrots.
A hungry man has zero thirsts for credible information dissemination. This is the prevailing situation in our society today. We are fast losing our value systems.
While it must be reordered, the once glorious Athens of West Africa stained by the needless blood of many is now bowed as a result of the pains of uncertainty.
Meanwhile, another year and another national birthday celebration went with tempers flying because the government failed to indulge the people in the old mindset of jollification.
But what is there to rejoice about when a once glorious nation has been reduced to one with a begging bowl and is ravaged by the festering wounds of political intolerance, tribalism, corruption, nepotism and the after-effect of the rape of its natural and human resources.
When under what is supposed to be a New Direction, they are preaching justice after roofing their reign with shining sheets of inequality and have invented ingenious political and social arguments with a snide at history, as the new anthem for justice, fairness and national cohesion where only those very close to the SLPP kitchen, gets a full meal.
I am a terminal optimist – ‘a believer’ in Sierra Leone’s future greatness. We are yet to live the dreams of our founding fathers.
Though we are close to the bottom, but believe me, Salone shall rise again.
However, nothing will be salvaged until we stop state and party-sponsored divisiveness and just see each other as citizens with different contributions to make. Just saying.
Tomorrow is not too far. The one who slaps his mistress immediately after a sizzling bedroom act would soon have another erection.
Dele Awoonor-Gordon, I follow all your articles for the past years.
I think what Sierra Leone need now is good governement and loyal person who loves Sierra Leone. Why not president Maada Bio? Sierra Leone needs unity and stability, not hatredness and wickedness. thats’s why launching the new party of Sierra Leone AFTER WAR PARTY (AWP), MOTTO: no more war, only peace and harmony. We dont want any fighting in Sierra Leone. What we need is peace, love and harmony.
Absolutely well written, Kudos to the writer. I sincerely believe that if some form of progress must be attained, thereby enabling this nation of ours to rise from the lowest depths of economic deprivation and barrenness where it presently languishes in crutches, then no question the first step we must take is to wipe the slate of past political injustices, crimes and violations completely clean.
This will allow our Nation to have a much needed fresh and vibrant start. In case you have some doubts, here’s the truth – the engine of our Democracy, although still running, is finally at the point of breaking down, due to neglect, incompetence, laziness and gross indifference.
We must take a careful look at how cars are being maintained, jot down notes and copy some examples that may prove beneficial if they are promptly used as solid anchors for a brand new Democracy. Consider this, after driving a car for a very long time, a good owner will take it to a mechanic shop to be thoroughly examined and checked, and also to get the oil, plugs and brakes inspected and changed.
This is what Sierra Leone needs presently. Its time to pause, reflect and make some badly needed changes that will jump start the peace, stability and economic progress. If Bio has the country’s best interest at heart, I think he would’ve started such a process when he took office.
Truth is, he hasn’t and Is not interested in such lofty ideals. Settling old scores and exacting revenge is of the highest priority to them. And who has seen a government that promoted hatred and divisiveness in Africa – a continent where tribes and political parties are married together like husband and wife, that has ever succeeded or become prosperous?
I guarantee you will be hard pressed to show me one of them! Listen, it takes great skill to bring people together and get them to agree on a vision or common goal for the benefit of an organisation or nation. Only a rare individual can accomplish such thing. Kwame Nrumah almost succeeded in Ghana but was overthrown. Imagine that! Overthrown? May Almighty God show mercy. A genius was overthrown; such a sad and heartbreaking story.
Again, let me reiterate what I have said countless times before – In my opinion, no leader in the history of this nation has showed the skills, shrewdness and abilities of implementing such a great idea and make it work except the Political Master -Siaka Stevens. No one else! A friend once lamented to me that if Old Stevens had been alive today, healthy, robust and strong, he will still be ruling Sierra Leone in peace, prosperity and security.
I totally agree! But that will be asking too much of him, if he was here. Old Stevens did the best he could and is now gone, awaiting Mercy. He squeezed water out of stones tirelessly in the interest of the nation. Let him continue to rest Peacefully. Others must step up and now shoulder the crushing burdens of Mother Sa Lone.
But is that happening? All I see presently is the total lack of ability to govern responsibly, without giving us unnecessary headaches that arise from tribal and political interferences. Neutrality is missing; and for me that signals looming disaster for any nation that is evenly divided along tribal lines.
I totally agree with the writer, money in itself cannot solve our problems even if truckloads of it are given to us. And for the sake of our grandchildren, there has to be a radical change in governance. Its urgently needed. I would advise that the entire system be reconsucted in such a way it would be regulated by the general public to ensure accurate checks and balances on the government.
It may sound complicated but it will become an enviable success, and I know a few individuals that could make such an impossible dream become a sustainable reality. You want progress, accountability and transparency? There’s your answer.
The only way for government to succeed in Africa is for them to be under the watchful eye of the vigilant masses, where every government dealing, transactions, undertakings and meetings can be accessed and seen instantly on the phones and computers of people, allowing them to voice their opinions and instantly respond.
Shared responsibility its called – citizens and government working hand in glove together. Rising Sun Will Rise Again.
Good article, I hope Salone people would share much of your views.