Holding our Government Accountable
- Wednesday 6 May 2009.
By Mohamed C. Bah - Ex-President Sierra Leone Community, Atlanta, GA.
The government Budget and Statement of Economic/Financial policies for the financial year 2009 delivered by the former Minister of Finance and Economic Development,Mr. David O. Carew last November in the chamber of parliament offers a grim reminder of our nation’s troubling economy,poor financial infrastructures,under-performing ministries,some public institutions and the inadequate fiscal/budgetary remedies to make them corruption-free,transparent and financially viable. I do, however, agree that the global rise in food and fuel prices undermined government’s effort in preserving macroeconomic stability,controlling higher inflationary rates and building a strong foreign reserves for the country.
Impressively, it was refreshing to note that the Executive Board of the IMF gave Sierra Leone a favorable ratings in terms of its overall performance in implementing some prudent fiscal and monetary policies
towards the Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF). This review means, government is showing some good intention to enhance the growth prospect of the economy and improve the socio-economic well-being of our people. Even so, the need for broader and consistent reforms in budgetary planning,public procurements system,public accounting and expenditure tracking,internal and external audit systems with a strong anti-corruption actions remains to be seen on an implementationary level.
REGIONAL INTEGRATION
I found it very ironic that Sierra Leone is moving forward with the commitment to integrate with the West African Monetary Zone (WAMZ) and the 2005 Banjul action plan for the introduction of a common currency by December 1, 2009.As ambitious such regional efforts are, we need first of all to rebuild our weak economy, focus on adequately delivering public services,industrialize our work force to create jobs and grow a market oriented economy. Then, we can sit on these “regionalization conferences” and take an active role. Like the African Union (AU) and other African Regional groups, the failures of its member nations to pay their dues have always rendered these institutions bankrupt only to rely on international funding. Thus,a regional integrated market, free tariff system and new trade policies among West African nations, should be the “baby steps” approach to the realization of a common currency.
DOMESTIC REVENUES
On the other hand, according to the budgetary report by the Minister of finance,Mr. David O. Carew,Sierra Leone’s national revenue including grants for the financial year 2009 is projected at Le 1.2 trillion. Conversely,total expenditures and net lending is projected at Le 1.49 trillion (21.9% of GDP).It is numerically clear, from an economic standard,that Sierra Leone is spending more money than it can generate. The most disturbing components of the expenditure units are: the cost of financing domestic borrowing (Le 127.6 billion),interest payments on international loans (Le12.9 billion),Ministries and Developmental Agencies (MDA)’s procurement expenditures (not specified), non-salary and capital expenditures(Le 460.2 billion). These huge expenditures significantly shrinks the national revenue, while cost cutting strategies are never applied to save money on national priorities like energy,mining, infrastructures and Fisheries. Additionally,the national budget deficit, including grants is projected at Le 236.8 billion(3.5% GDP).
Unfortunately,Sierra Leone’s budget deficit would not be reduced or eliminated by trimming wasteful spending or borrowing from our national savings or foreign reserves,it would be finance largely by foreign loans and grants amounting to Le 150 billion(2.2% GDP).Indeed,our nation is heavily burden an dependent on donor money instead of maximizing on our revenue generating sectors like mining.agriculture,fisheries and forestry. Like income taxes,customs and excises,road user chargers and other new tax system,we can increase our revenue potentials without “robbing Peter to pay Paul”.
UNDER-PERFORMING INSTITUTIONS
Indeed,most Sierra Leoneans will find it mind-troubling to believe that mining revenues last year, was Le 8.9 billion, MDA’s was Le 7.6 billion, income taxes was Le7.5 billion,Custom and excise taxes was Le 13.6 billions and just to name a few. Let me briefly profile some of the few public enterprises responsible for the delivery of public utility services including electricity, water,transportation and port services that are under-performing agencies. At the end of August 2008,total revenue collected by National Power Authority (NPA) amounted to Le 87.6 billion while total expenditure was Le 90.7 billion resulting in a net operating loss of Le3.1 billion. The Sierra Leone Port Authority (SLPA) made a loss of Le1.14 billion in 2007 but subsequently made an operating profit of Le 2.1 billion in the first half of 2008.The Sierra Leone State Lottery made a loss of Le136.9 million while the Sierra Leone Postal Services incurred a loss of Le 34.1 million and Sierra Leone Airport Authority had a shortfall of Le3.6 billion in 2008.
PROMISING AGENCIES
However, Guma Valley made a projected profit of Le 1.4 billion in 2008,National Insurance Trust increased it gains to Le 780 million,Sierra Leone Road Transport Corporation(SLRTC) estimated profit was Le 604.9 million. Rokel Commercial Bank (RCB) made a profit of Le 4.4 billions while Sierra Leone Commercial Bank earned a profit of Le7.1 billion with a 21% growth in customer deposits.
Despite the good news in some of these public institutions,the biggest challenges affecting our national revenues and budgetary implementation is the culture of CORRUPTION. Many government ministries are not following the basic guidelines of the procurement system by engaging in contractual obligations without the Ministry of Finance’s approvals. There are problems of budgetary planning and monitoring,inexperience accounting practices,poor financial management system,lack of public expenditure tracking,no accounting and reporting,no internal and external audit to obtain data explanations with an analysis of activities or transactions.
For example,when the auditor General was directed to audit, Ministries, and Developmental Agencies of the large sums of claims owed to private contractors from 2005 to 2007 in the amount of Le 85.4 billion, her submitted report concluded that only Le 53 billion was deem eligible for payment. A discrepancy of
Le 32.4 was calculated as money that could not be verified or accounted for by every accounting
principles and standards.
BUDGET ALLOCATION
I was deeply worried about government budget allocation to priority sectors such as education,health and agriculture which did not receive an increase funding level as top categories. Energy and Water Supply, Infrastructure and Transportation are necessary priorities, but the budget funding are inadequate and did not meet the scale of their public demands nor the cost of operational services. Inevitably, these agencies are liable to under perform and becomes a hallmarks of another “ failed government institutions”.
If the key objectives of the 2009 budget of Sierra Leone are to pursue a prudent fiscal and proactive monetary policies,to accelerate economic growth by investing in agriculture and infrastructures and improve the delivery of basic public services,then government needs to know how to better manage it finances without living from paycheck to paycheck from the international multi-donors. The welfare of Sierra Leoneans would not improve by carbon copy policies and programs that are never seriously implemented with measurable results. Poverty can be reduced by sound fiscal policies,transparent financial institutions that keep tracking of its activities, a government that build a national savings account or foreign reserves more than the $211.4 million it has in 2008 and the “love-for-country mentality” by public servants,who understands that the people’s money is not a personal checking account.
CONCLUSION
Until,our national leaders accept the responsibility that: we the people “must hold them accountable”to making Sierra Leone as good as its promises. That everyday,no Sierra Leonean should have to go to bed hungry or live in a nation where their potentials may never be realize or an unborn child who may never walk on the face of this earth because of a deficient maternal delivery system or a struggling family who may never hold their grand children because of a low life expectancy rate and a promising people who unwillingly do not belief in the greatness of its nation, because of the acute shortages of legacy-builders. Until,those who are privilege to dictating the future of our nation knows that history would not be kind to them if they do nothing to improve the socio-economic well-being of the people,Sierra Leone will continue to grow a balloon deficit that will affect the functioning of public institutions and the government as a whole .
If our goal as citizens of Sierra Leone is to help our government by becoming “conscious objectors” and leading the way by telling the truth-Sierra Leone must reinvent itself from what President Barak Obama called a “ change from top to bottom”.Only when we become true to how we spend the people’s money,true to how we share their struggles,true to how we stand to change their lives and true to why we choose to serve them, we may be -those that occupies the throne of power- committing a grave mistake of depriving a nation and its citizens into enjoying what one of the architect of the American Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson philosophically described as mankind’s gift from God that we are endowed: “ with certain inalienable rights,that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”
What do you think about this article? Go to my blog: http://newsierraleone.blogspot.com.
Blog on other articles: Is Sierra Leone an ethno centric nation? Is Sierra Leone winning or losing the war on corruption?What legacy are we building for the new generation, Sierra Leone needs trade not aid......etc E-mail:mcbah4440@yahoo.com.
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Friday, May 8, 2009
Friday, May 1, 2009
What legacy are we building for the young generation ?
Contributed by Mohamed.C.Bah : Guest Writer : Ex-President Sierra Leone Community, Atlanta, GA
Friday, 20 February 2009
Legacy is a historic footprints of our long standing public works. It is a log book that records the personal journey we took
on life's highway and how we amazingly traveled to reach to the destination of serving others for the common good of
citizenship and love for our country. In the process of building our legacy, we may encounter the challenges of "selfless
love", the agony and burden that comes with it but at the same time, discover the passion and self- fulfillment of doing
good.
Others, through our works, may be inspired and motivated to relentlessly pursue our dreams by promoting the vision of a
better society, where people live together in the pursuit of peace and happiness.. The importance of legacy is not only
the tremendous and contagious effect it may have on the conscience of people, but the power it has on dictating the
course of history and raising the mantra of public service to the highest standard. Legacy, invariably,is a watchdog
against people who may seek political office to enrich themselves at the expense of public and government resources.
Indeed, when the desire to put the interest of the citizens are front and center,legacy becomes the driving force and the
ultimate political will to achieve basic human progress for Sierra Leoneans.
By and Large, where ever there is a legacy oriented society, a track record of national developments are inevitably
bound to take place on a maximum scale. Not only will succeeding generation benefit, but a "DNA" of a social and
political thread lines are establish in a distinctive pattern to show why we must advance the common well being of our
people. The United States, Europe, China and other developed nations are the melting pots of many legacy makers,
whose contributions of ingenuity and excellence followed the human trail of progress that subsequently made their
people the most prosperous in the world.
LEGACY BUILDERS
Do legacy build the person or do the person build the legacy?Generally, public service to the people of Sierra Leone
have been a failed phenomenon in terms of the overall impact of the general welfare and living condition of our people.
As good as the institution of government has been from ushering political independence to the creation of some small
basic infrastructures to the representation of our country as a sovereign entity,our governmental echelon have divided us
into a Northern and Southern hemisphere, incubated a culture of tribal discrimination, politicize the appointments of
public servants,presided over a non- transparent judicial system and alienated the masses into a gloomy future of
hopelessness. The inaction to fight against poverty have not only created human suffering, but have manifested a wide
spread culture of corruption.
The challenging question is: have public service in Sierra Leone model itself on the concept of raising the legacy bar so
high for the young generation that they have no choice but to be performance- driven or do many of our fellow citizens
still see "politics" as a road to wealth creation?Since the birth of our nation, over forty seven years ago, our new
generation have been grossly deprived and denied the opportunity to emulate those before them because of the
increasing shortages of "legacy builders" in Sierra Leone.
However,I am not alluding to the short history of our past presidents and national heroes alone, but a serious case study
and detail understanding of their works. Their accomplishments as well as their failures have not being incorporated,
studied and adapted into the main political frame work of today nor have our new generation absorbed the values and
purpose of public responsibilities. Service to our people have been relegated to a state of "plutocracy" and the nobility
associated with it have increasingly disappeared since the end of the Sir Milton Margai era.
Realistically,we have not recycle the polluted legacy of corruption and ineptitude into a new energy of building a political
climate, where the future of our people transcends our personal ambitions and loyalty. We have not applied the lessons
of promoting a legacy base on political and economic prosperity for our young generation. We have not even attempted
to learn from the mistakes of the past and exemplify a new way to change our society. If we have, to those who may
disagree, why do we still have a political structure that depends on "donor Aid'?Why do we have a system that has not
consistently deliver to the people?How effective have we been able to reduce corruption and mismanagements?Have we
being able to utilize and adequately manage our human and natural resources to advance the betterment of Sierra
Leoneans?
Cocorioko Newspaper
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Indeed, do we think that we can fight against corruption just by appointing an anti-corruption commission?When the living
standards of our police forces, civil servants and government officers are not improved,when their pay rates are not
adjusted to the current cost of living and paid regularly, when working conditions are deplorable and the resources to
perform their jobs are inadequate, when there are no ethical and policy compliance guide lines, the anti-corruption
commission or any apparatus of government entity, would always be a toothless bully dog that barks but does not bite.
The anti-corruption commission or any other investigative body would not be able to serve as legacy builders, nor the
effective enforcers of the law and neither the flag bearers of justice to the people.
HUMAN INDEX
I understand that some, who do not believe in divergent views, would question my writings, maybe, as too negatives and
unworthy. What they may fail to realize is that we can only find solutions by first of all, identifying and knowing the root
causes of our national problems. That small gains made,as encouraging as they may be, does not warrant a "no-criticism
approach' to our elected officers/governments. I am not asking for statistics of how the ratio of human index have
improved in Sierra Leone compared to the past years. Our dependency on the world financial institutions and the UN
poverty programs are not the long term and permanent solutions to our economic and political predicaments. We cannot
defined "progress" by what these institutions described and what relatively the poverty program we are classification into.
We can create our own dimension and standards by how much we have up lifted our people from the entrenched cycle
of poverty.
Since,our nation became independent,what tangible progress have we made on a substantial scale to alleviate poverty,
develop a quality and affordable health system,improve and expand our public infrastructures,provide a better
educational system,create jobs for millions of our people and making government a trusted partner in nation building. By,
honestly, answering a Yes or No to these questions, we can definitely measure the level of growth and progress we have
significantly made without any artificial standards. Even though, we have seen some few "national development"
initiatives, more needed to be done to keep up with the pace of population explosion and the global rising cost of living.
The philosopher, William Ellery Canning, beckoned us to practice "self-culture" a behavior of self- determination to help
ourselves rather than rely on others. Today,we are heavily addicted to the dependency of Aid or financial support from
the outside world. We have failed to design, develop and spearhead a home grown initiatives and public policies to
shape the destiny of our country. The late Sir Milton Margai was the only Prime Minister who practice William Canning's
doctrine of self-determination, by fighting for Sierra Leone's political independence. Since then, we have lost the battle of
economic independence from the West and the people of Sierra Leone are paying the price of human hardship every
single day and night. We have fallen further and further behind the industrialized world due to a decade old civil war that
was evil and unnecessary,poor governance from previous regimes,rampant corruption and the lack of pragmatic
leadership. Former President Siaka Stevens, with his legacy of corruption, seem to be the only President whose
infrastructural developments are still the old land marks of progress in Sierra Leone.
A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP
Abraham Lincoln one said: “Public service is a noble profession”.Unfortunately, in Sierra Leone, the legacy
of our past political dynasties have been built around falsehood and empty promises. In retrospect, we have not build a
legacy driven politics that would shiver the spines and impact the souls of the young generation to do great things for our
nation. Rather, we have taken away the nobility and prestige associated with the value of serving others. Sierra
Leoneans have been immersed into perceiving public service as a "mining field” and a catalyst to wealth building.
Many are overshadowed by the old adage of the "do-as-the Romans-do" mentality. And evidently,only few public
servants, business leaders and other working professionals are making a giant stride towards building a legacy of good
works to our fellow citizens.
Sierra Leone could be the "New York" and "Berlin" of Africa if our political philosophy hangs on a legacy driven culture.
That Sierra Leone would become a center of economic development where the democratic institution of judicial
transparency, investment in education health and technology would take an impressive foot hold, if we model our
governing methods on the premise of working for the common good of everyone, including our grand children. Our
struggling citizens would not have to live in darkness,poor housing, inadequate health care and the lack of hope for the
future.
A LIBRARY OF LEGACY
Can a good legacy trigger more followers? Are we leaving something for the young generation? Today, Sierra Leone
cannot boost of even a small or modest Presidential Library, where our future generation can study and emulate both
Cocorioko Newspaper
http://cocorioko.net/app Powered by Joomla! Generated: 1 May, 2009, 19:52
their accomplishments and failures. If we documented and archived the works (good and bad) of these notable leaders,
we can understand how to proceed in a strategic way to solving repeated problems and challenges that have affected
our people for four decades now. Our young people would be motivated to take a new approach and better insight on
how to steer our nations to the mighty shores of prosperity..
I must,however, commend President Koroma for recognizing the rights of former President Kabba to live and move freely
in Sierra Leone. The significance of such good will gestures demonstrated a new political civility that past Presidents
could still be assets to the future of the country. Jimmy Carter, for instance, was not an effective President while in office,
but when he left, he made an indelible impact around the world.
From a patriotic stand point, i am promoting the concept of a "legacy culture" in our political system-one that influence us
to perform our sacred obligation and commitment to our people whenever we are trusted and privilege to represent them.
We cannot educate a generation of new leaders if we don't have role models in our country. When government does not
work, the welfare and livelihood of our fellow citizens are in peril. The future of our young generation are sadly reduced to
a world of inadequacy and disparity. The only way they can believe in serving a greater cause is: we must reinvent a new
political dimension which is to leave a master piece legacy trail for them to follow.
Until, we begin to confront our fears and guilts that we are doing less or nothing to change the future of our nation,that
we are on the cross road between promoting the principles of a legacy culture or working for our self-interest and political
ambitions. Until we become sensitive to addressing the plight of the suffering masses and knowing that we cannot build a
legacy by flooding government with cronies and party loyalists, that we cannot operate government through work shops
and conferences;that we just cannot wait for donor-money to run the machinery of government. There can be “no
legacy” in an environment where those in power do not show compassion and selfless love to those who are
voiceless and powerless.
CONCLUSION
However,our fledgling democracy under President Koroma are showing some signs that they are willing to learn and
respond to some formidable challenges. The implementation of the performance contracts and regular reviews with
ministers about their goals are steps in the right direction. The signing into law of the anti-corruption bill and President
Koroma's declaration of his personal asset are high marks of a promising future. The improvement in power provision,
free press and the overhaul of various ministerial responsibilities demonstrates that President Koroma may be a legacy
conscious public servant.
On the other hand, our present government seem to be struggling in tackling multiple challenges. Inexperience, the lack
of resources, lack of direction and sometimes poor judgment have created a road block to sustainable developments.
Other problems like the rocketing food and fuel prices are global problems and beyond the government control.
According to the Chatham House Report, a royal institute of international affairs from London,the shortage of skilled
administrators, a product of the decayed educational system and the destructive impact of the growing drug trafficking of
Columbia and other drug cartels, who are seeking to use Sierra Leone and other West African nations as an access
route to Europe pose a serious problem to our country. Sierra Leone still have a large unemployed youth population,
poorly paid military,police and civil services. An average Sierra Leone lives on one dollar a day.
But for the benefit of the doubts, more time is needed to assess President Koroma's new government.. As citizens, we
can contribute in many ways to support the development of Sierra Lone where ever the political spectrum we may find
ourselves. Historically, it is valuable to note that our nations have few past and present leaders, who left or are leaving a
golden foot prints on the hall ways of their political careers.
That our new generation do not have enough 'role models” to inspire them to do great things for our beloved
nation. Obviously, the big question of what legacy are we building and leaving for our youths would continue to linger and
hunt us for many generation to come.
Send your comment about this article to mcbah4440@yahoo.com
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Contributed by Mohamed.C.Bah : Guest Writer : Ex-President Sierra Leone Community, Atlanta, GA
Friday, 20 February 2009
Legacy is a historic footprints of our long standing public works. It is a log book that records the personal journey we took
on life's highway and how we amazingly traveled to reach to the destination of serving others for the common good of
citizenship and love for our country. In the process of building our legacy, we may encounter the challenges of "selfless
love", the agony and burden that comes with it but at the same time, discover the passion and self- fulfillment of doing
good.
Others, through our works, may be inspired and motivated to relentlessly pursue our dreams by promoting the vision of a
better society, where people live together in the pursuit of peace and happiness.. The importance of legacy is not only
the tremendous and contagious effect it may have on the conscience of people, but the power it has on dictating the
course of history and raising the mantra of public service to the highest standard. Legacy, invariably,is a watchdog
against people who may seek political office to enrich themselves at the expense of public and government resources.
Indeed, when the desire to put the interest of the citizens are front and center,legacy becomes the driving force and the
ultimate political will to achieve basic human progress for Sierra Leoneans.
By and Large, where ever there is a legacy oriented society, a track record of national developments are inevitably
bound to take place on a maximum scale. Not only will succeeding generation benefit, but a "DNA" of a social and
political thread lines are establish in a distinctive pattern to show why we must advance the common well being of our
people. The United States, Europe, China and other developed nations are the melting pots of many legacy makers,
whose contributions of ingenuity and excellence followed the human trail of progress that subsequently made their
people the most prosperous in the world.
LEGACY BUILDERS
Do legacy build the person or do the person build the legacy?Generally, public service to the people of Sierra Leone
have been a failed phenomenon in terms of the overall impact of the general welfare and living condition of our people.
As good as the institution of government has been from ushering political independence to the creation of some small
basic infrastructures to the representation of our country as a sovereign entity,our governmental echelon have divided us
into a Northern and Southern hemisphere, incubated a culture of tribal discrimination, politicize the appointments of
public servants,presided over a non- transparent judicial system and alienated the masses into a gloomy future of
hopelessness. The inaction to fight against poverty have not only created human suffering, but have manifested a wide
spread culture of corruption.
The challenging question is: have public service in Sierra Leone model itself on the concept of raising the legacy bar so
high for the young generation that they have no choice but to be performance- driven or do many of our fellow citizens
still see "politics" as a road to wealth creation?Since the birth of our nation, over forty seven years ago, our new
generation have been grossly deprived and denied the opportunity to emulate those before them because of the
increasing shortages of "legacy builders" in Sierra Leone.
However,I am not alluding to the short history of our past presidents and national heroes alone, but a serious case study
and detail understanding of their works. Their accomplishments as well as their failures have not being incorporated,
studied and adapted into the main political frame work of today nor have our new generation absorbed the values and
purpose of public responsibilities. Service to our people have been relegated to a state of "plutocracy" and the nobility
associated with it have increasingly disappeared since the end of the Sir Milton Margai era.
Realistically,we have not recycle the polluted legacy of corruption and ineptitude into a new energy of building a political
climate, where the future of our people transcends our personal ambitions and loyalty. We have not applied the lessons
of promoting a legacy base on political and economic prosperity for our young generation. We have not even attempted
to learn from the mistakes of the past and exemplify a new way to change our society. If we have, to those who may
disagree, why do we still have a political structure that depends on "donor Aid'?Why do we have a system that has not
consistently deliver to the people?How effective have we been able to reduce corruption and mismanagements?Have we
being able to utilize and adequately manage our human and natural resources to advance the betterment of Sierra
Leoneans?
Cocorioko Newspaper
http://cocorioko.net/app Powered by Joomla! Generated: 1 May, 2009, 19:52
Indeed, do we think that we can fight against corruption just by appointing an anti-corruption commission?When the living
standards of our police forces, civil servants and government officers are not improved,when their pay rates are not
adjusted to the current cost of living and paid regularly, when working conditions are deplorable and the resources to
perform their jobs are inadequate, when there are no ethical and policy compliance guide lines, the anti-corruption
commission or any apparatus of government entity, would always be a toothless bully dog that barks but does not bite.
The anti-corruption commission or any other investigative body would not be able to serve as legacy builders, nor the
effective enforcers of the law and neither the flag bearers of justice to the people.
HUMAN INDEX
I understand that some, who do not believe in divergent views, would question my writings, maybe, as too negatives and
unworthy. What they may fail to realize is that we can only find solutions by first of all, identifying and knowing the root
causes of our national problems. That small gains made,as encouraging as they may be, does not warrant a "no-criticism
approach' to our elected officers/governments. I am not asking for statistics of how the ratio of human index have
improved in Sierra Leone compared to the past years. Our dependency on the world financial institutions and the UN
poverty programs are not the long term and permanent solutions to our economic and political predicaments. We cannot
defined "progress" by what these institutions described and what relatively the poverty program we are classification into.
We can create our own dimension and standards by how much we have up lifted our people from the entrenched cycle
of poverty.
Since,our nation became independent,what tangible progress have we made on a substantial scale to alleviate poverty,
develop a quality and affordable health system,improve and expand our public infrastructures,provide a better
educational system,create jobs for millions of our people and making government a trusted partner in nation building. By,
honestly, answering a Yes or No to these questions, we can definitely measure the level of growth and progress we have
significantly made without any artificial standards. Even though, we have seen some few "national development"
initiatives, more needed to be done to keep up with the pace of population explosion and the global rising cost of living.
The philosopher, William Ellery Canning, beckoned us to practice "self-culture" a behavior of self- determination to help
ourselves rather than rely on others. Today,we are heavily addicted to the dependency of Aid or financial support from
the outside world. We have failed to design, develop and spearhead a home grown initiatives and public policies to
shape the destiny of our country. The late Sir Milton Margai was the only Prime Minister who practice William Canning's
doctrine of self-determination, by fighting for Sierra Leone's political independence. Since then, we have lost the battle of
economic independence from the West and the people of Sierra Leone are paying the price of human hardship every
single day and night. We have fallen further and further behind the industrialized world due to a decade old civil war that
was evil and unnecessary,poor governance from previous regimes,rampant corruption and the lack of pragmatic
leadership. Former President Siaka Stevens, with his legacy of corruption, seem to be the only President whose
infrastructural developments are still the old land marks of progress in Sierra Leone.
A LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP
Abraham Lincoln one said: “Public service is a noble profession”.Unfortunately, in Sierra Leone, the legacy
of our past political dynasties have been built around falsehood and empty promises. In retrospect, we have not build a
legacy driven politics that would shiver the spines and impact the souls of the young generation to do great things for our
nation. Rather, we have taken away the nobility and prestige associated with the value of serving others. Sierra
Leoneans have been immersed into perceiving public service as a "mining field” and a catalyst to wealth building.
Many are overshadowed by the old adage of the "do-as-the Romans-do" mentality. And evidently,only few public
servants, business leaders and other working professionals are making a giant stride towards building a legacy of good
works to our fellow citizens.
Sierra Leone could be the "New York" and "Berlin" of Africa if our political philosophy hangs on a legacy driven culture.
That Sierra Leone would become a center of economic development where the democratic institution of judicial
transparency, investment in education health and technology would take an impressive foot hold, if we model our
governing methods on the premise of working for the common good of everyone, including our grand children. Our
struggling citizens would not have to live in darkness,poor housing, inadequate health care and the lack of hope for the
future.
A LIBRARY OF LEGACY
Can a good legacy trigger more followers? Are we leaving something for the young generation? Today, Sierra Leone
cannot boost of even a small or modest Presidential Library, where our future generation can study and emulate both
Cocorioko Newspaper
http://cocorioko.net/app Powered by Joomla! Generated: 1 May, 2009, 19:52
their accomplishments and failures. If we documented and archived the works (good and bad) of these notable leaders,
we can understand how to proceed in a strategic way to solving repeated problems and challenges that have affected
our people for four decades now. Our young people would be motivated to take a new approach and better insight on
how to steer our nations to the mighty shores of prosperity..
I must,however, commend President Koroma for recognizing the rights of former President Kabba to live and move freely
in Sierra Leone. The significance of such good will gestures demonstrated a new political civility that past Presidents
could still be assets to the future of the country. Jimmy Carter, for instance, was not an effective President while in office,
but when he left, he made an indelible impact around the world.
From a patriotic stand point, i am promoting the concept of a "legacy culture" in our political system-one that influence us
to perform our sacred obligation and commitment to our people whenever we are trusted and privilege to represent them.
We cannot educate a generation of new leaders if we don't have role models in our country. When government does not
work, the welfare and livelihood of our fellow citizens are in peril. The future of our young generation are sadly reduced to
a world of inadequacy and disparity. The only way they can believe in serving a greater cause is: we must reinvent a new
political dimension which is to leave a master piece legacy trail for them to follow.
Until, we begin to confront our fears and guilts that we are doing less or nothing to change the future of our nation,that
we are on the cross road between promoting the principles of a legacy culture or working for our self-interest and political
ambitions. Until we become sensitive to addressing the plight of the suffering masses and knowing that we cannot build a
legacy by flooding government with cronies and party loyalists, that we cannot operate government through work shops
and conferences;that we just cannot wait for donor-money to run the machinery of government. There can be “no
legacy” in an environment where those in power do not show compassion and selfless love to those who are
voiceless and powerless.
CONCLUSION
However,our fledgling democracy under President Koroma are showing some signs that they are willing to learn and
respond to some formidable challenges. The implementation of the performance contracts and regular reviews with
ministers about their goals are steps in the right direction. The signing into law of the anti-corruption bill and President
Koroma's declaration of his personal asset are high marks of a promising future. The improvement in power provision,
free press and the overhaul of various ministerial responsibilities demonstrates that President Koroma may be a legacy
conscious public servant.
On the other hand, our present government seem to be struggling in tackling multiple challenges. Inexperience, the lack
of resources, lack of direction and sometimes poor judgment have created a road block to sustainable developments.
Other problems like the rocketing food and fuel prices are global problems and beyond the government control.
According to the Chatham House Report, a royal institute of international affairs from London,the shortage of skilled
administrators, a product of the decayed educational system and the destructive impact of the growing drug trafficking of
Columbia and other drug cartels, who are seeking to use Sierra Leone and other West African nations as an access
route to Europe pose a serious problem to our country. Sierra Leone still have a large unemployed youth population,
poorly paid military,police and civil services. An average Sierra Leone lives on one dollar a day.
But for the benefit of the doubts, more time is needed to assess President Koroma's new government.. As citizens, we
can contribute in many ways to support the development of Sierra Lone where ever the political spectrum we may find
ourselves. Historically, it is valuable to note that our nations have few past and present leaders, who left or are leaving a
golden foot prints on the hall ways of their political careers.
That our new generation do not have enough 'role models” to inspire them to do great things for our beloved
nation. Obviously, the big question of what legacy are we building and leaving for our youths would continue to linger and
hunt us for many generation to come.
Send your comment about this article to mcbah4440@yahoo.com
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