Postmark London Sierra Leone: One Year After!

One of the most astonishing statements made by the former British Prime Minister during the recent Trade and Investment Conference in London was that Sierra Leone should no longer be seen from a past perspective. (Photo: Sorie Sudan Sesay)

Tony Blair believes that much progress has been made in Sierra Leone over the last two years under the administration of President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma and that the world should now be thinking about the future of Sierra Leone.

Quite apart from the fact that the years of war are over and buried in the archives of history, Blair told the jam-packed conference that the country was growing by the second with innovations and new infrastructural developments; not to talk about the rapid economic growth in the country.

The former Prime Minister described President Koroma as a God-fearing, highly focused and dedicated leader who is very much committed towards turning the lives of his countrymen to meet the United Nations Human Development standards.

Those who witnessed the conference know what I’m saying.

I have always said that for a man of Tony Blair’s calibre to stake his integrity, his hard-earned reputation and stand upright to paint Sierra Leone and her leader white in the eyes of the world rings positive alarm bells.

I arrived in Freetown on December 23^rd 2009 – exactly one year after I left last year for my new posting in London. It was during the heat of the freezing winter weather.

London, like most other cities in Europe, was quite the opposite of what I’ve been used to in Sierra Leone – no merry-making, no transport running, no Kanikay Gladiators masquerading the streets – and above all; the entire country was extraordinarily quiet.

Frankly speaking, it was a nightmare I had sworn not to experience for the second time. But at the same time, that was not what necessitated my visit to Sierra Leone.

Throughout this past one year, I had always relied on online publications to keep myself abreast with developments back home. I owe my colleagues that gratitude.

On many occasions, I had came under attack for sitting in an office and writing “rubbish” about developments in Sierra Leone without knowing what was really going on.

My disgruntled friends from the other side tore me into pieces the other day after I attempted to explain to the public how DFID funds are being disbursed after they made capital of a negative BBC documentary trash.

This is just one of the negative propaganda one has to contend with working as an Information Attaché in such a strategic mission in London. And, this also explains why one needs to be fully armed to the teeth working in such a sensitive capacity.

Let me give you a typical example…

I was at the Heathrow International Airport waiting to board my flight to Freetown when suddenly news broke out that Freetown had been in darkness for the past two weeks prior to that day.

This was strange as far as I was concerned – I have been constantly monitoring developments back home through the internet and certainly that was not part of the news I saw.

And knowing how my colleagues from the other side would have capitalised on such an ugly development, I dismissed the news as not only ridiculous, but also a bunch of lies. However, my defence had very little effect.

The issue became one of heated debate among Sierra Leoneans even as we travelled along. For sometime, it died out – but just as we were approaching Sierra Leone, the whole issue erupted again.

On reaching the Freetown International Airport, we began to realise that apart from the blackout news, most of what was being circulated to the rest of the world through the internet were false and meant not only to tarnish the image of the current government, but also to cause chaos and confusion orchestrated by power-thirsty-enemies-of-progress people who are adamant and blind to the realities of change.

My first impression was that the ferry service was very fully effective – almost a 24-hour service which was not how I left it one year ago.

The security situation is tight and convincing enough for any potential investor coming into Sierra Leone – our security apparatus had very little to do in terms of armed robbery. In other words, the country is safer more than ever before.

There is a high sense of awareness from Sierra Leoneans who would do everything possible in complimenting the efforts of security forces to discourage people wanting to help boost the country’s economy through investment.

The success of the London investment conference is an indication that there is light at the end of the tunnel as far as development is concerned, especially with the current dedicated and sincere leadership we now have.

Sierra Leone is booming with investment opportunities calling – I’m sure it’s just a matter of time.

There is little or no noise from Kabbah Tiger generators with great improvement in electricity supply. The atmosphere was frenzy with musical sets bombarding every corner of the city during the festive season.

There is life everywhere you go – and for the first time I see people dancing out in the streets without chanting anti-government songs – a common phenomenum during previous governments.

The streets are no longer littered with filth as they used to be the case – people have taken upon themselves to compliment government’s efforts in that direction. There are now women who voluntarily go out there and sweep streets.

Cost of living might be difficult as a result of mismanagement and bad governance from the previous regimes, (the current government is still trying to cover those messes) but people are confident there are better days ahead.

There had been rapid infrastructural developments going on at the moment.

Victoria Park business centre is currently being reconstructed into a massive market centre by the Freetown City Council; Clock Tower keeps glittering enough to give any first-time comer an attractive first impression.

Almost all the major roads are being reconstructed by the government – the Lungi – Port Loko Highway, Masiaka – Bo Highway, the Conakry – Rogbere Highway, Lumley – Tokeh road and many others.

With all these projects going on successfully, I can simply say: yesterday nor betteh pass tiday.

Sorie Sudan Sesay, Information Attaché, Sierra Leone High Commission UK/NI

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