By Sorie Sudan Sesay, Freetown.
I watched in astonishment as President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma’s state convoy
drove along Kissy Road recently. I was told he was on his way to Tombo
Village, where he had gone to launch a multi-million fishing project for the
people of that community.
The scene was terrific and by all indications, its a sign of encouragement for
President Koroma and his team.
This is no longer campaign period and the fact that President Koroma still
enjoys the love and confidence of his people with little over one year in office
tells a rather unique story. In fact, it sounds unprecedented in the political
history of the country.
Leaders have come and gone, but frankly speaking, I have not heard of any leader
who had enjoyed so much love and confidence from his people to the extent of
rubbing shoulders with them as the case is with President Koroma.
Someone just remind me of the former National Provisional Ruling Council (NPRC)
leader, Valentine Strasser, but honestly, his case was a bit different to
President Koroma.
This is mainly because although the people very much heralded
their (NPRC) coming and appreciated their gut to end 24 years of the APC
misrule, their militant tendencies soon became disgusting during their early
days in office which led to the palace coup that saw Julius Maada Bio taking
over as Head of State. Political philosophers say the worst civilian government
is better than the best military government. No doubt about it!
Like I said, the case of Ernest Koroma is unique. Don’t forget, we are talking
of a period in which the opposition have done everything to heavily capitalise
on the so-called global crisis in a bid to discourage the minds of the people
far ahead of the 2012 Presidential and General elections. But from what we have
evidenced, the so-called global syndrome has not in anyway created that negative
impact against the ruling APC government.
I am sure by the estimation of the opposition; the much negative heralded
’global’ syndrome should have been enough to put the credibility and/or
popularity of the President on the line.
What happened along Kissy Road last Friday is enough evidence - it reminds one
of those campaign period when Sierra Leoneans were crazy about the emergence of
a new born baby in the political scene in the person of Ernest Bai Koroma.
Traffic, both human and vehicular was brought to a standstill not
because of the usual protocols (vehicles denied the access to wait for Mr.
President), but because they wanted to see and cheer up their President.
A very respectable Sierra Leoneans journalist perceived to be on the opposition
had confessed to me the other day that "Ernest Koroma is the unusually decent
type of African leader who knows what is best for his people". A government that
is bound to succeed must be inspired by the sincerity, dedication and commitment
of its leader.
This is why expectations continue to be high over the success of
President Koroma’s government before his term of office ends.
Imagine the influx of potential investors in to Sierra Leone and how competitive
the business environment has been since the APC coming into office; the
consistent electricity supply, the gradual reduction of the price of rice and
petroleum products. At least, we can now talk of the reality over food security
rather than farce it used to be during the past regime.
We cannot continue to go back to those ugly days - it has to be forward ever and
backward never. Obviously, this is why I am joining the clarion call for a
cabinet reshuffle for non-performers to take a back seat and new blood injected
into the fold for a better Sierra Leone. How about that?
The author(photo) is the designated Information Attache to the United Kingdom.
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