CSO platform damns diaspora appointees

Civil Society Platform on Political Governance has in a recent report raised concerns over the manner in which citizens from the Diaspora are being appointed into positions of trust and other sensitive sectors of governance that have to do with the lives of poor Sierra Leoneans.

According to sources, Civil Society Platform on Political Governance consists of Civil Society Organizations working towards corporate governance, human rights, health issues, Peace and Justice

In a joint press release presented on 4^th September, 2015, to a cross section of media houses at the Youth Centre in Freetown, Chairman Robert Kandema Kargbo, strongly commended the impressive progress the government has registered particularly towards political stability, human rights and economic development in Sierra Leone.

He stated that the press conference was to ensure that the right people were given the opportunity to participate in the governance of this country and that all political parties should set up standard procedure of screening citizens from the Diaspora in order to make sure that they were qualified.

The release noted with concern that Sierra Leone’s democratic credentials were very high and internationally recognized, meaning that the international community expected more from Sierra Leoneans in terms of good governance.

The chairman disclosed that they acknowledged and recognized the contributions of well meaning Diaspora citizens who have joined the government to move the country forward, which he described as a laudable effort.

He further noted that coming from the Diaspora is no qualification to hold public office, adding that most of the Diaspora members have little or no knowledge about the problems and issues that trouble Sierra Leoneans.

“It is the constitutional right of every citizen in the country or the Diaspora to hold elective positions and appointments into strategic positions but the lack of a clear process of screening is a factor for their non performance,” the chairman noted.

The release also commented on the awarding of symbols to desperate individuals from the Diaspora, pretending to understand the country’s problems.

The release maintained that the presidency of a country is not a “trial and error” job for mere academics.

Sierra Leone, the release concluded, requires Presidents like Dr Ernest Bai Koroma, who, before his election, understood the problems of the country as a guiding principle to continue the good works of his predecessor, the late Dr Ahmed Tejan Kabbah.

By Mohamed Bangura

Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!