Sierra Leoneans, Are We Patriotic?

Many a time I have been wondering about how to unravel this puzzling question in my mind. As Sierra Leoneans, are we patriotic? Our manner of doing things and approach sound unpatriotic and they seem not to conform to what patriotism is. Patriotism is the strong desire, love and enthusiasm one shows for his or her country of birth. We Sierra Leoneans at times lack this value when it comes to development and defending our country. Of course, we must have learnt from our brothers in neighbouring countries like the Gambia, Guinea and Nigeria. When the senseless rebel war struck Sierra Leone, many of us who went to these countries to seek refugee know how we were being maltreated, and we were also not blind by the kind of love shown by these people for their country.

At times it amazes me when I see my fellow compatriots dressed in European attire or American hip-hop style. Attitude is everything as the father of our nation remarked. Even when he has called on all Sierra Leoneans to put on African attire on Friday, yet we are carrying on with the same Europeanized and Americanized ways of dressing. Some of us, even the food and drinks we consume are in both European and American style. This is why, the president in enhancing food security for all is yet to come by, because we can’t seem to lay premium in growing our own food stuff.

It is rare to see Sierra Leoneans dressed in African costumes on Friday or any other day as the Ghanaians and the Guineans do. Dressing in an African way at least helps to manifest who we are and where we come from. Moreover, it is of no bluff or bogosity to see Englishmen dressed in coat and tie or Irishmen dressed in loose shirt and skirt. It is part of their culture and most importantly, the climate conditions in Europe warrant them to dress as the way they do. But for us Africans, especially ‘Salone man,’ we are always seen dressed in coat and tie even when the sun is at its highest peak. Most people when reproached state they are dressed to meet the standard of a white collar job. But even at that, it does not justify one’s claim to borrow another man’s culture and way of dress, Ghanaians and Nigerians are mostly seen dressed in ‘agbada’ and wrap in lapper as a sign of indebtedness to their culture and country.

We Sierra Leoneans never had a sacrosanct way of dressing, sometimes we appear as neither European nor Africans. We are just oscillating in between as social misfits in the eyes of outsiders. I don’t know perchance in the 50’s and 60’s Sierra Leoneans used to put on print clothes, especially the Creoles who see it as part of their cultural outfits. Apart from this distinct group it is rare to see other ethnic groups in Sierra Leone demonstrating their cultural regalia’s, except for the Fullah’s who take exception to that ingratitude toward cultural dress. However, it takes one to be patriotic to put on his or her cultural attire. Nevertheless, it is also a show of patriotism that makes the Guineans wear embroidered gowns to showcase their culture and the beauty that characterizes the African way of dress.

When it comes to the way we manage our resources, Sierra Leoneans show little or no patriotism at all. This is lucidly demonstrated when extractive industries sign contracts with our government and local authorities. On many occasion mining industries have failed to meet their social and corporate responsibilities to the people who own their land. This is true because they selfishly signed contracts in a manner which does not incorporate the needs of the people who won their land, and the people of Kono are no exception to such biased and in considerate mining treaties.

This lethargic way of signing mining policies in this country always brings the memory of the brutality and killing suffered in the hands of irresponsible mining guards in Koidu Holdings (SA)

In December 2007. After that horrible incident meted out to the people of Kono nothing has been done to compensate the victims’ family members, even when flamboyant promises were made. I ask the question again, Sierra Leoneans, are we patriotic? If we are patriotic, I am yet to see it. And by being patriotic we would go along way in enhancing sustainable development for our beloved nation, Sierra Leone.

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