Pa Ernest, we thank you so far but…

The ‘Thank you’ slated in this article, should not, in any way, make Pa Ernest become complacent because there are greater things ahead that require his concentration and application of all his wits to accomplish. They are as follows:

The unification of the ethnic divide
The peaceful transition of power, come 2018, without the usual interference of the outgoing president
The protection of women against the present wave of violence against them.
The reduction of poverty, by empowering farmers, because, according to his various pronouncements, “agriculture is the engine for the economic development of this country.”
Paying attention to education, without which, no country could rise beyond abysmal darkness. Education is a transcendental light that makes nations great, especially in this computer age. It is sad to say that the present educational policies, all of it, under your leadership sir, have only brought woe and misery to parents and their children. Go to Fourah Bay College, pass a glance at the Lati Hyde dormitory or the male hostel, all now condemned to a status of historical relic, despite the much talked about measures to rehabilitate these structures.

Is it not disheartening to note that even though the international community has demonstrated readiness, as seen in the Ebola response, to come to the aid of the country, no effort is being made to make this nation regain its former glory of the “Athens of West Africa”, which in it was less than a century ago?

The “Thank you”, honestly only refers to the effort made in the area of road construction, with the myriad of other areas of development remaining unattended to, development being a holistic approach.

Even light (electricity) that triggers the desire for industrial development has been replaced by a thirst for “solar” lights which are only good to provide domestic energy for lighting homes.

Pa Ernest, honestly speaking, the nation owes thanks to you for the road works only. There are many other challenges, apart from even the ones highlighted above.

This expose is intended to ask you to brace up so that posterity will bless your memory rather than curse it, because your intentions for the “rebranding” of Sierra Leone through your “Agenda for Prosperity” are noble and laudable ideas that have remained, so far, only political platitudes. Thank you, so far but…..all that glitters is not gold. It is the Diaspora dependence that is contributing to the ills of this nation, regrettably, though.

Pa, the Ministries of Agriculture, Works and Transport and Aviation are the three that show any semblance of your dream for rebranding this nation, especially as Hon. Balogun Koroma (Logus) has succeeded, in the midst of criticisms, to heighten the burden of transportation and employment by the purchase and flooding the market with one hundred (100) busses.

Also take a trip to some parts in the provinces to realize that the Agriculture Ministry is on top of the issue of food security, especially as the massive production of plantains and bananas become a reality as promised this nation by the Sierra Leone Organic Farmers Co-Operative.

As far the Ministry of Works is concerned, the kenema-Pendembu road goes down as that ministry’s greatest achievement among others.

The same can hardly be said of the Ministry of Education that has brought untold misery to parents, students and school children on daily basis, not to talk about teachers.

No effort is being made to make this country bilingual so that Sierra Leoneans would have easy access to international jobs. Promise, however, has been made with no modalities put in place for implementation-like training more teachers in French and providing incentives for the existing ones etc.

Thank you, Pa Ernest, but…..

By Jo-Njangu

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