Sierra Leoneans progressive attitudinal change and youth perspectives about Sierra Leone
Interestingly, I am very delighted to say that the attitude of Sierra Leoneans is catching up with the magic word of CHANGE. Although change does not come overnight, there are signs already among the majority of Sierra Leoneans that show that we are a nation that is willing to change or has accepted to change for the good of mama Salone. I hope and pray that this new page of positive attitude will continue throughout our future generations and history. It is sometimes imperative in one’s lifetime to make a u -turn in order to progress to success. Sierra Leoneans it seems, are adapting fast to this mechanism both in thinking and action. This was made evident, both in Sierra Leone and around the world when all patriotic Sierra Leoneans in all walks of life celebrated the 50th anniversary golden jubilee of independence in unison of happiness and optimism for a brighter future. (Photo: Dr Augustine Kamara, author)
There were no signs of either a green palm tree or a red burning sun, all one could see is the green white and blue flag, and smiles of hope, victory and happiness on every Sierra Leonean face. The fear that once hung over us because of political or ethnic divide seem to disappear. In many parts of the United States celebrants interacted freely and very happily with no boundaries or hindrance to tribe, race or politics. Culture was at its best display with masqueraders from Ngoboi to Ariyogbo displaying their acrobatic styles of dancing, the music of Ochest Mu ye power and Super Combo kings of Dr Freddie’s. Memuna and Ngombu hits resonating in the air, and colorful attires of gara in different cuts and print styles. It was beautiful indeed.
Sierra Leoneans expressed a sincere celebration of a new birth and a new covenant. The young generation with their living parents have derived a fact that Sierra Leoneans alike, are born into a great nation of great potentials, and in order to benefit from those potentials, we need to be united and bury the folly and falsities of negative attitudes, so celebrating the golden jubilee in a happy mood, is meaningful to all Sierra Leoneans as a sign of unity and progress. It is very difficult today in Sierra Leone, when talking about the word CHANGE without associating it with president Earnest Koroma with his formula of ”attitudinal change”. This might be seen as an act of immortalizing President Koroma so let it be. It is not an attempt also to say that, he is infallible, NO! That’s not the case either, no man is infallible, even the pope can err.
Not surprisingly the monumental praises showered on President Koroma by Sierra Leoneans alike and from the international forum is no falsehood, but, a reality. For now we as Sierra Leoneans, and the young present generation, have seen the strides the president and the government are striving towards developing Sierra Leone, this is also conspicuous to the eyes of the international community, we appreciate the efforts and pray that President Koroma and government continue to have the strength and vision that will raise Sierra Leone in order to meet the millennium goals.
Let us share some discourse of suggestion here, I happened to hear some of our youths debating about “What mind set one should have in order to return home from the diaspora?” I listened to their views and point of critical thinking, most of it came to an agreement that EDUCATION should be the main commodity one needs to acquire from the diaspora and not only that, it should be meaningful education that would serve the national needs of Sierra Leone but down the road of discussion, came a point of how diasporas are viewed these days at home.? Ladies and Gentlemen let us not under rate our young generation, they are well informed because most of the youths have been visiting, back and forth to Sierra Leone and are well informed.
As “JCs” (Just Come) are aware of the name in the Diasporas, and have no qualms about that but abhors that because it’s being likened to be similar to 419ers. Diasporas have contributed a lot to the development and in helping relatives and friends in terms of need in neighboring countries during the rebel war. After the war, Diasporas have been involved in building beautiful mansions , they are also involved in small and large projects of development in rebuilding the nation in many ways so to speak. In fact most Diasporas according to the youths should be given concession to encourage their return home like free duty for building material and other equipments relating to agriculture and hospital equipments other materials like school material including science laboratories should be duty free.
According to the youths some materials which are sent to help in enhancing education and health could not get into their destined places because of high custom taxation. However, in other West Africans ports like Ghana concession is given to Diasporas to bring in materials at a lesser tax or free duty to help in the development of the state. The youths are requesting government’s assistance in these instances to be regularized and would accelerate development education health agriculture and many other areas of development. This was a lengthy discussion but, I had to leave for another function. I am happy for once our younger generation is no longer going to stay forever in the diaspora as their parents did, young as JCs they are and even at much younger ages are planning on how to come home honorably and contribute in the development of mama Salone.
Another point of discussion from our youths is the mind set in bringing home machines to help in the economy and help alleviating poverty in agriculture and employment education and health. Political issues were less discussed, again from a youth’s point of view however, they are of the opinion that, in order to accelerate development a few things have to be rectified firmly. They sympathize with the president’s effort in trying to bring transparency in his government, but, at the same time, they believe that there is too much of leniency shown to culprits and offenders of our economy that should not be the case anymore. Previous governments could not move the country forward because of massive corruption. So far they are of the belief that Dr Earnest Koroma’s profile from an unknown politician to a highly graded politician in Africa would be highly favored like president Obama of the USA in winning a second term. The youths however reiterated that all aspiring candidates should be subject to debates, that would expose their capabilities to the people of Sierra Leone, and should be prepared in defending their aims and aspirations or manifestos to the people of Sierra Leone. As the youths put it, aspiring candidates should posses’ peaceful characteristics to ensure peaceful continuity of mama Salone. The aspiring candidates must posses a high profile of transparent record, with a possible investment in which Sierra Leoneans have benefited or the country as whole derives benefit. Finally the youths would like to caution the president to have adequate rest as his activities seem to wear him out. Again they attribute that if everybody in his team did their assignment properly, that would give the president ample time of rest but let him keep his agenda going on. Lastly the youths are saying congratulation for a successful celebration of independence to every Sierra Leonean.
By Dr. Augustine A. Kamara, Virginia, USA
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