Maintaining the Grip
After the eleven years of carnage, economic crisis and post-traumatic stress, it is apparent that five years of His Excellency Ernest Bai Koroma’s rule was never going to be long enough to heal the wounds of a devastated civil war country and economically derailed nation like Sierra Leone. (Photo: HE President Ernest Bai Koroma)
The president, His Excellency Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma and some apparatus in his government are working very hard to stir a dilapidated economy to a viable one for the betterment of all Sierra Leoneans, regardless of ethnicity, tribe, gender, religion or political affiliation. The president’s “Agenda for Change” initiative, so far has been doing well, though there are lapses and mistakes, which needs correction, as it is natural that man learns from mistakes.
Nevertheless, the hopes and aspirations of the people are not doom and gloom as relative peace and stability enjoyed by all is the key to stable economic achievements. Yet, beyond corruption, post conflict Sierra Leone internal challenges are in abundance, left unattended to for decades by previous governments – many parents are unable to send their children to good schools or colleges, as they are very expensive and for unaffordable hospital fees, many people die while families cram into one-bedroom shacks unable to afford a decent living. In addition, natural challenges like environmental crisis caused by deforestation – climate change, rising tides, soil erosion that result to the demise of the lives of some compatriot living at the hills and the wafts because of severe housing problems in the country.
Low-cost housing project, which was initiated by the late President Siaka Stevens for the poor people of this nation, saw these properties sold to private persons, mostly the rich – impunity to the highest degree on its impoverished compatriot.
Come hell or high waters the president H.E. Ernest Bai Koroma is determined to maintain his grip in-order to move this nation forward as the writing is clearly on the walls of progress not of retrogression. Today this country cannot be referred to as the darkest nation in the world as tremendous efforts have been made in improving energy supply to the people while the infant mortality rate drops as the free medical care for children under-five and suckling mothers’ project heads towards accomplishment. Due to the influx of mining companies, the unemployment rate is gradually dropping, though attention must be focused on environmental hazards and corporate social responsibility and labor rights violations by some of these investors. Basic infrastructure/roads are visible for all to acknowledge as it cuts across the entire nation though dubbed as cosmetic – which many well-meaning people think is arrant bunkem.
The fight against corruption is on and it is definitely not an easy one. Ensuring accountability by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is a bit of a disappointment as government officials have been marsh in scandals but left to linger in their positions despite accusations of misappropriation or mismanagement.
With all the inherited and anticipated presidential struggles to take this country to another level, His Excellency the President Ernest Bai Koroma has proven to be dedicated, studious, nationalistic, committed, content and above all God-fearing. Sierra Leoneans must realize that in order to help in the development of this nation, they must cast their votes judiciously as Sierra Leone has never seen such a dedicated and honest leader in its history as compared to the His Excellency Ernest Bai Koroma.
A second term for President Ernest Koroma is inevitable and a recipe for rapid development for this country and its people.
The erstwhile Human Rights Activist Dr. Martin Luther King (Jr) once said, “If a man hasn’t discovered something he will die for, he has nothing to live for.” The President has something to live for and that is the Agenda for Change – a change for a better Sierra Leone, which the president believes in.
By E. Awotelli-Cole
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