Mr. President – some things you ought to know
Mr. President, I take this sacred task of speaking to you via this medium since I do not have the opportunity to meet with you on a one to one basis. I know it would have been a wonderful opportunity for both of us as there would have been a time for frank cross fertilization of opinions and cracking of ideas. (Photo: Brima Karl Sumara)
I am mindful of the enormous task you have before you, and as often said: “uneasy lies the head that bears the crown.†I know the problems of this country sometimes look insurmountable; however, I am sure that “hope†and “courage†is what keeps you going. As a father of five million children, it is indeed reasonable to think that at one time or the other, you spend sleepless nights pondering as to what best to do and what prudent step next to take in salvaging the plethora of problems that confront them, especially with all the promises you gave them while seeking their votes. Indeed, you came into power when the world was unexpectedly plunged into some kind of financial difficulty, fondly tagged “credit crunch,†our people even went further to humorously ‘label’ it “Globalâ€.  Precarious as the situation was though; you took some decisions which helped in cushioning the effect on our people. For instance, you influenced the revenue collection agency NRA, to give a waiver to certain essential commodities like rice, flower, sugar, fuel etc. That was laudable indeed and even though times where hard, the people managed and uneasily coped with the situation.
Mr. President, one peculiar thing about your management style is your priorities and your objectives, which are unique when compared to your predecessors. Today, Freetown could not be simply or carelessly regarded as the darkest city in the world because of your management style. I am also aware that you are a calm person who thinks critically before making certain decisions. It was therefore understandable that you were able to overcome the cantankerous problems that were plaguing the APC before you finally succeeded in wooing all your foes. I also understand that you are a good listener who patiently listens to the concerns and opinions of people. To add to that, you are said to be calm and hardly get angry. What fine and enviable attributes. These are attributes which are essential to move this country forward. Regardless of these however, there are certain things you ought to know.  Â
Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma: De pipul den Papa
On some of your promises sir,
During your campaign era before winning the 2007 presidential race, one of the first promises you made to this nation was that those APC members who were opting to run for parliamentary seats where going to remain there. Some of them did not mind this statement since some of them were skeptical about you winning the presidential race. Eventually, they won their seats and you eventually emerged victorious. No sooner your presidency became a tangible reality, some of these parliamentarians began lobbying for Ministerial positions. Some succeeded in entering your cabinet resulting to vacuums in the parliament which had to be refilled. Sir, when your word becomes your word, you command greater respect and authority. I often tell people that compromise over certain principles might as well be an abandonment of them. Sir, you will be judged by your words tomorrow.
On Sacred ‘Cow-ism’
As far as I can remember, the word ‘sacred cows’ which in other words mean untouchables was popularized by you. You made it clear especially when assenting to the ACC Act of 2008 that not even your family members would be spared should they be caught in acts or omissions that go against the principle and dictates of acceptable and expected behavior. In the nutshell, you actually meant that no form of corruption was going to be accepted. Sir, there has been countless reports on the media about alleged anomalies by certain people who seem not to have been touched. You must understand that most Sierra Leoneans are political analysts, and when the time comes close for another round of politicking, they will draw all these issues into perspective. Well, you only need to sit in a poda pada, or pay a visit to the countless number of attire bases, the poyo bars or the ghettos to believe what I am saying. Words are often like stamps and will remain as far as you can remember. Siaka Stevens was known and is still remembered for his parables both good and bad a notable reads “Usai den tie Cow, nar de e de eat grassâ€. You shall surely be remembered for your utterances sir, and this, you ought to know.
On the justice sector
Mr. President, justice is a vital force in society and its fluidity is a Sinqua-non for tranquility and stability. The Justice sector has in recent times received lots of attention. The Justice Sector Development Programme supported by DFID has done a lot indeed, but much more remains to be done. A big challenge that still remains is the delay in the concluding of court cases. Cases that on normal occasion should last for few months or even weeks are often prolonged up to a year or more. There still remains the belief to many that there is no justice for the poor. Currently, a court building is almost been completed by the side of the Pademba Road prison. While this looks like a worthy initiative, one is also tempted to ask why effort hasn’t been made to relocate the Pademba Road prison to another location. Standing right in the middle of the city, this place had always been the first point of contact during coups d’états and in time of conflicts. The objective for this is clear, and that is to free criminals who are often used to perpetrate more crimes. Perhaps your government should redouble efforts to decentralize the justice system by making conditions favorable for legal practitioners to remain in the regions and attend to cases that are often sent to Freetown. A society that is ‘just’ is a society that will certainly flourish.Â
On Tourism
Mr. President, it is well written that Sierra Leone has all the natural topography for tourism to thrive yet the inflow of tourists in the country is dismal. This industry can severely cut down the number of unemployed youths in the country if serious efforts are made to develop it. Sir my main concern is that Bunce Island remains to be one of the most historic places in the history of the transatlantic slave trade but remains to be the most neglected. This place deserves a place in the list of world heritage sites but this has not happened. Sir, I have worked with an American anthropologist, (Joseph Opala) who sees a direct connection between this place and the United States and who has on several occasions tried to give this place the prominence it deserves but nothing has come out of it. He has done extensive research about this place and a digital model of this site had been developed through his effort. The said model depicts the original state of this site. If this site is developed sir, it will be a major port of call to tourists especially those coming from the US. Remember, people like the American actor Isaiah Washington, Mary Moran, Priscilla etc? They have all traced their ancestry from this place. There are many other places that are begging for the same attention.    Â
On youth empowerment
Youth empowerment remains a considerable problem to tackle. Sir, remember that the youths were instrumental in bringing you to your highly esteemed position. When they got tired of the past regime, they came out in their hundreds of thousands, chanting, dancing and sacrificing their energies come rain come sun to see that you ascend the throne and shine like the sun. I can assure you that things are really difficult for the youths in this country. I congratulate you for the constituting of a National Youth Commission and beg that it be devoid of politics. There are prominent youth advocates like Ishmael AL Sankoh Conteh who for a long time have been pushing for youth empowerment. People like him should not be left out in the work of such a commission. The agricultural sector needs people with energy and stamina and we have more than enough manpower amongst the youth population. Perhaps a scheme should be developed that will see the youths fully engaged on agriculture. Many of our brothers are in Afghanistan and Iraq risking their lives to work because of lack of employment back home. Some of them actually danced for you with the hope that their lives will be better. Sir, come 2012, you ought to know that they will become very important on your agenda for a second term. Until I deem it fit again, I leave you to concentrate on your work sir.Â
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