Does President Koroma like the status quo in Sierra Leone?

Quite recently, the president of Sierra Leone ordered the immediate reversal of certain prices of fuel and rice, the staple food. It goes without saying that the president must have heard the hues and cries of the ordinary people. The global trend of events is universal and its consequences have been felt by all. In some countries, it has resulted into chaos and anarchy, whilst for the country of Sierra Leone, the people have resorted to looking up to their president for action. Indeed, the steps taken by the president were commendable. The question which bears to surface is, is the president satisfied with the status quo in the country? Does he rely on his ministers to do everything? The president’s uncle, Dr Sama  Banya would say, yes, my nephew seems to be listening to the people other than some of his ministers who would stand hilltop and say everything is normal and the people are content.  (Photo: Ibrahim Sourie Mansaray)

Former president J.S.Momoh was acclaimed as a nice person but was surrounded by sycophants who destroyed the country. During Momoh’s reign, ministers were treated like demi gods with no accountability to the state.

The former National Provisional Ruling Council strongman, Valentine Strasser was branded as someone who had good intentions for the country but was surrounded by miscreants who wanted power more than the ruler. In less than seven months, the people of Sierra Leone saw the flamboyant lifestyles of the secretaries of states in dark tinted cars.

As for President Tejan Kabba, he was considered to be surrounded by party loyalists who thought the party was bigger than the president and his yielding loyalty was more to the party members than the country.

Don’t get me wrong, all the mentioned rulers have demonstrated their patriotism in diverse areas to the country. So is President Koroma listening to his ministers or has decided to tackle issues upfront?

Corruption in Sierra Leone ranges from high level political graft on the scale of millions of dollars to low level bribes to police officers or customs officials. While some of the public officials lavish in luxury, the ordinary people suffer and petty bribes take a corrosive effect on basic institutions and undermine public trust in the government. Over half of Sierra Leoneans pay bribes to land officials for their lands to be certified and authenticated. Thousands of foreigners as well as Sierra Leoneans pay huge sums of bribes at customs for their goods to be cleared. As for some of the ministers and parliamentarians, many seek re-election because holding office gives them access to the state’s coffers, as well as immunity from persecution. This experience of ministers parading the streets of the country, giving an impression of helping the president has caused huge embarrassment to the president and the country. Some of the public officials are sycophants and rogues whose best interest is to serve the president with soothing words and not the country. For the president calling on civil societies, youth groups and other stake holders manifests his kin interest in serving the country. In the future, the president should be calling on ministers who are faulty in their ministries to explain to the public about their sacred duty to the state. The people of Sierra Leone have suffered too much under the auspices of corrupt leadership.

By the way Mr. President, did I get it right that former President Tejan Kabbah was denied a visa to the United States?  Did I hear one of your ministers saying it is being dealt with at the highest level?

Well, there is a story in our local parlance that translates about a slave seeing a grave dug for one of his foes. The slave looked at the grave and started crying, even though the grave was for his enemy. He wept bitterly and one of his colleagues said, why are you crying as if it is for you? The slave looked him in his eyes and said ”Today it is for my enemy, who knows who will be the next?”.  Whether Tejan Kabbah was a diplomat or not, the country should treat the matter seriously and the United States Ambassador should be taken to task. It is but an eye fit for a former president of a repectable country like Sierra Leone to be treated in that manner.

Mr. President, please don’t rely too much on your ministers for actions as some of them are there to satisfy their egos and pockets. The country’s success should be your focus so posterity will judge you.

May God bless Sierra Leone and its people.

By Ibrahim Sourie Mansaray, Stockton, California

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