Pertinent calls have continued to be made by concerned Sierra Leoneans to get the powers that be or the government of the day in Sierra Leone to undertake ethnic audit so as to determine measures necessary to break the ugly neck of tribalism, sectionalism, regionalism and ethnic imbalance in the governance structure of Sierra Leone.
Again, the leading lights that few years ago started calling for ethnic audit and ethnic inclusiveness at the Well of Parliament have continued to raise their voice on the issue appealing to the Bio-led government to ensure they undertake ethnic audit and apply inclusiveness in Sierra Leone thereby try to change the status quo in governance wherein a political party or a leader in power would form a government constituted or overtly dominated by people, administrators or civil servants from one region, section, or ethnic group, which is really a source for many of the upheavals and developmental challenges Sierra Leone and, by extension, most African countries have been grappling with over the years since the wake of the independence era.
The latest voice to be heard on this corrosive issue of one party or ethnic group exclusively controlling state power and administration is the chairman and leader of the National Grand Coalition (NGC) party, Dr Dennis Bright, who has again advanced a strong point of view regarding the odd ethnic and tribal-style political governance Sierra Leone has been going through over the years, saying that such a phenomenon has become enormous under the SLPP Bio-led administration.
In his recent statement calling for a system of ethnic inclusion wherein not more than 30% of one ethnic group should be allowed to occupy positions in public institutions, the NGC chairman says: “Leading a nation that is united, free and just are core values of the NGC party. Unfortunately, in recent times, administrations have been insensitive to the need for maintaining tribal and regional balance in appointments to critical positions in public service. Sadly, it has now become common practice for people to be sacked, sometimes unceremoniously, disgraced and deprived of daily bread whenever a new Government is formed purely because they belong to a certain tribe or are perceived to come from a particular region. This, in our opinion, has contributed greatly not only to tribal division but also to the deep anger, bitterness, keep diving the people, spread hate that now defines every aspect of life in Sierra Leone.
To begin addressing this concern, our members of parliament led by Hon. Dr Alhaji Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, have been calling for a bill that requires ethnic inclusion and by which in addition to the usual requirements such as qualifications, competency and experience, not more than 30% of a single ethnic group will be allowed to occupy positions in specific public institutions.”
Forum considers this issue of ethnic imbalance or ethnocentrism, continually being raised by the NGC leaders, a serious matter of concern for all Sierra Leoneans who mean well for Sierra Leone and that put the country first above self or one’s political leanings.
We should know that for us to build a healthy and wealthy nation, we must break the ugly neck of institutionalised tribalism and excessive ethnic imbalance in the governance system of Sierra Leone.
All and sundry should know that institutionalised tribalism and ethnocentrism is grossly unprogressive and counterproductive.
Sierra Leoneans should know that no country would really develop or make sustainable progress on the backdrop of a governance system that thrives on ethnocentrism and tribalism in public administration as it obtains in Sierra Leone, whether it is under the All Peoples Congress party, the Sierra Leone People’s Party or any other political parties.
Maintaining tribal hegemony in governance is a mark of inferiority complex and ethnic incompetence. It also means that a nation or society is misguidedly educated hence Sierra Leoneans home and abroad must discourage ethnocentrism in governance and embrace anything that would break the neck of institutionalised tribalism and put a stop to it in governance by calling for a bill that promotes ethnic inclusion and national cohesion and development.
It is believed that a bill on ethnic inclusion such as the one the NGC party is calling for would transform Sierra Leone for the better. Its acceptance and adoption in Sierra Leone would greatly diminish the bitterness, hatred and dissatisfaction among cross-sections of Sierra Leoneans the NGC position statement is talking about.
The ethnic imbalance in the country is deeply sensed in the distributions of state resources and developmental projects, wherein other regions and districts with minority ethnic groups in the government always suffer the brunt of underdevelopment, whilst the majority tribes that are close to the government go with the lion’s shares as it is presently manifested in the south and eastern regions of Sierra Leone.
The acceptance of such a bill and its policy implementation in this country would enhance the culture of inclusiveness, and promote unity and sense of belonging. It would as well put a check to several social, political and economic malpractices in governance.
It would also lessen the act of sabotage in governance and demonstrate a mark of high intelligence, enlightenment and meaningful or progressive education among Sierra Leoneans.
Nations in Africa such as Kenya and Rwanda that have implemented such a policy or pattern of governance have been enjoying the fruits of its gains that their nationals are today proud of having such a policy or system in their countries.
So why can’t Sierra Leone apply such a good tenet of human and ethnic competence and developmental path?
Forum would like to join all well-meaning Sierra Leoneans calling for a fair system of governance and modus operandi in Sierra Leone to ensure that the powers that be do the needful to build a healthy democracy and progressive nation in this part of the world.
