Sierra Leone Democracy Requires More Than Leadership Change

By Kortor Kamara, Guest Writer, USA. By all objective standards, we must now have come to the stark realization that the “change of leadership syndrome”, with its resultant enforced public euphoria and sometimes genuine expectations of change our society has continually been subjected to with the Milton Margai, Albert Margai, Andrew Juxon-Smith, Siaka Stevens, Joseph Momoh, Valentine Strasser, Maada Bio, Ahmed Tejan-Kabbah and the current Ernest Koroma regimes have not in any (...) Full story

1. Posted by Fatorma Gabba, on 27 December 2009  at 23h33

   Unfortunately, no liberal minded Sierra Leonean will be able to consume your article with enthusiasm. You erroneously misrepresented the calculus of political progress no matter how little under various administrations.Please review the political history of Sierra Leone before making glaring accusations and indictment against the SLPP for lack of so-called "any coherent & sustainable national economic & infrastructural strategy" What a crude analyisis portrailed by an informed Sierra Leonean! Do not short-change your own history for to lack of knowledge or for political patronage.

2. Posted by THEODORA GODWIN, on 28 December 2009  at 19h24

   Mr. Kamara, thanks for taking the "BULL BY THE HORNS." Your article was well thought out, but to be honest with you, "WHO AMONGST THEM IS LISTENING." TRIBALISM IS THE ORDER OF THE DAY. HOW QUICKLY THEY HAVE FORGOTTEN, BUT THE BLOOD OF THOSE INNOCENT LIVES THAT WERE SQUANDERED WILL NOT GO IN VAIN. You are only pouring water on "DUCKS BACK." If they cannot listen to "DFID" (Department of Foreign Investment Development.) LONDON, from whom they receive 90% of the DONOR PLEDGES, for Reconstruction and Development of our Dilapidated Infrastructures, (which is being misused), do you think they will listen to you. Currently DFID has an "AUDIT" in place for funds that have been disbursed to the NATIONAL REVENUE AGENCY, that they cannot ACCOUNT FOR. All these current "ASPIRANTS" so called Ministers are Robbers who do not "CARE ONE IOTA FOR SIERRA LEONE. IT IS THE GET RICH QUICK SCHEME THAT THEY HAVE EMBARKED ON. What we need to do is "EDUCATE THE MASSES." If we do not do so, FOREVER SIERRA LEONE WILL STAY LAST AT THE TOTEM POLL OF THE WORLD DEVELOPMENT INDICATOR REPORT. IT IS ONE CORRUPT GOVERNMENT SUCCEEDING AFTER THE PREVIOUS ONE. No matter how learned you are or what you "WRITE UP," NONE OF THEM IS LISTENING. They glorify their trips to other developed nations, but shame on them, they cannot develop their own nation. We have now become "SOJOURNERS IN OTHER PEOPLES’ COUNTRIES. With your knowledge, if you do not belong to their group, you will not be given the "LIGHT OF DAY." So much for me OPINING.Let us continue to HOPE AND PRAY, THAT SOMEDAY SOON, SIERRA LEONE WILL HAVE A TRUE LEADER. WITH ALL THE NATURAL RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE, HOW COME IN THE 1970’s we could GROW AND EXPORT RICE, WE HAD A FOREIGN RESERVE IN THE BANK IN LONDON, TODAY THAT WE ARE LOOKING TOWARDS THE 21st CENTURY AND BEYOND, WE HAVE BECOME BEGGARS WITH CAP IN OUR HANDS. WHY MUST WE ALWAYS BE LOOKING FOR HANDOUTS. Malaysia Used our seeds from the Oil Palm in Masanke, Today they are FLOURISHING IN WEALTH AND SUPER DEVELOPMENT. WHERE IS SIERRA LEONE? IN THE DULLDRUMS. Happy New Year to you. LET US KEEP HOPE ALIVE!!!!!. Theodora.