Stagflation? Also warp minded journalists and politicians
Whenever I tell friends that in Bo School, late Sorie Ibrahim Koroma our former first Vice President had broken the record for the half mile race in his time in the school they look at me with disbelief. Similarly few people believe that the late George Gobio-Lamin successfully retained the crown for the one mile race about the same period. We spoke about yards and miles then, unlike today when everything in athletics is in the metric system. These were my contemporaries and we had wonderful times in that wholly Boys boarding school. (Photo: Dr. Sama Banya)
Among many other contemporaries who became distinguished citizens was the late Sam Bangura, former District Officer, Development Secretary and the second Sierra Leonean to assume the position of Governor of our Central Bank. Sam and late Abu Koroma (Kpakoe) of the same Central Bank and I were opening batsmen for the school cricket team and later for Sierra Leone and for the OBBA which won the championship trophy in the Sierra Leone Cricket League for 5 consecutive years from 1949.
Sam studied Economics in Kingston-Upon-Hull University before he returned home to join the Sierra Leone civil service. Along with other contemporaries at the time we were foundation members of the UK branch of the Old Bo Boys association OBBA. The late man was not only a proficient Economist but a very successful Banker and Administrator. With him on the bank were his deputy Salako Johnson, James Cole, NR Tejan-Cole and a host of other hard working colleagues.
By 1979 the economy began to show signs of weakness and the IMF began to mention what sounded to Siaka Stevens like heresy, the word DEVALUATION. The bank governor understood what it meant in spite of his boss’ initial objection. Growth was at a standstill and there was too much Leones chasing too few commodities. It was then that I heard for the first time the expression STAGFLATION, that is, inflation, double digit at the time simultaneously with economic stagnation. It was from the Governor of the Central Bank, Sam Bangura. The poor man was later murdered in cold blood.
As the Leone continues its downward slide against the US dollar and other major currencies today could we be heading for STAGFLATION? Some people are already predicting that by 2012 the dollar would have reached five thousand Leones, if not sooner. As Austin Thomas warns in the Awoko newspaper we are incurring too much debt which is going to be a heavy burden on tomorrow’s generation when pay time comes. The APC is putting no brake on the rate of spending. Would that someone would caution them, but will they listen?
Warped Minds
Some people appear to auction their integrity for material gains. Others are driven to one sided campaigns for the same material gain, often a pittance. A senior detective officer was sent to Kailahun in April/May this year to investigate the causes of reported disturbances in the Gao section of Luawa chiefdom. His report and recommendations were so skewed and biased that the Paramount chief lodged a formal protest with the AIG in charge of Crime at the time. Strangely the report was given to Lamin Vonjo and his protégé before it was even on the AIG’s desk. They made copies which they distributed among their supporters adding that the Paramount chief and his speaker were to be arrested and charged.
The AIG recommended that the Director at the CID should make an appointment for us to see the DPP together; there has been no word from them since in spite of reminders.
The editor of the Spectator newspaper carried a front page report in its Monday November 1 edition of an interview given by the deposed section chief he but made no mention of the Paramount chief’s response to DJ Base in subsequent interview.
In its edition the following day the editor uses a very derogatory headline about Paramount chief Banya. He was so blatantly biased that he wouldn’t even enquire about the outcome of the election petition brought against the Paramount chief by Lamin Vonjo neither did he ask the section chief why he had not given evidence at the hearing. But then that is of no interest to him.
It is well known that Kailahun palm oil is most palatable and even an editor could be tempted and a senior police officer could sacrifice his integrity for 5 million Leones and a few live goats.
The Resident minister east, assisted by two Paramount chiefs from Kenema district along with the AIG east had sat on a formal complaint lodged by the section chief who was found wanting.
The editor of the Spectator newspaper could for professional fairness have listened to the honourable Paramount chief’s side of the story. When one has been out of the country for so long and he is suddenly pitchforked into an undeserved position of responsibility coupled with unofficial inducements, it is difficult for such a person to take a balanced view of situations; on the contrary everything is politicized.
How often have I not stressed that the Vonjo/Banya conflict in Luawa is older than any political party in the country. Let Raymond Kabia go ahead with what he plans. THE TRUTH WILL ALWAYS PREVAIL, NO MATTER HOW LONG IT TAKES.
There are stories of other activities of the section chief that are likely to breach the peace; perhaps that is what minister Raymond Kabia would prefer. The Luawa chiefdom has ten sections; the wonder is why this particular section? More anon!
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