By: James Kamara-Manneh
jkmanneh2020@gmail.com
It is said that institutions are the backbone of any thriving democracy and the engine for development. In Sierra Leone, the Electricity Distribution and Supply Authority (EDSA) exemplifies a fractured backbone, one that leans heavily towards the political elite while neglecting the very citizens it was established to serve.
The recent incident involving an unprecedented apology by EDSA to the First Lady after a power cut during her radio interview in Kenema shines a glaring spotlight on the institution’s sycophantic tendencies and its habitual disregard for the people’s welfare.
Over the decades, Sierra Leoneans have suffered tremendously due to EDSA’s inefficiencies. From homes plunged into darkness during crucial moments, to hospitals losing patients mid-surgery because of sudden power outages, the consequences of EDSA’s failures have been dire.
Yet, through all these incidents—some leading to loss of life and others crippling livelihoods—EDSA has never rendered a single public apology. Families have mourned in silence, businesses have incurred irreparable damages, and citizens have grown to accept that the institution responsible for power supply is unaccountable and indifferent to their plight.
Contrast this with the speed at which EDSA issued a press release apologizing to the First Lady when power was cut during her radio interview. It was swift, formal, and groveling—a stark departure from the typical indifference shown to the public.
The disparity is striking. Is the First Lady more important than the countless Sierra Leoneans whose lives have been lost or ruined due to power outages? Does her temporary inconvenience outweigh decades of suffering endured by the majority of EDSA’s customers? The answer lies not in the First Lady’s significance but in EDSA’s craven submission to the whims of the political elite.
The apology reveals a culture of sycophancy that has entrenched itself within many public institutions. Instead of building credibility by prioritizing the needs of the masses, professionals within these organizations have become errand boys and girls for political masters. These acts of servility are often motivated by fear—fear of losing their jobs, their privileges, or their connections. In the process, institutions like EDSA, which should operate independently and serve the nation equitably, are reduced to tools of patronage.
The consequences of this behaviour extend far beyond the walls of EDSA. When professionals fail to uphold the principles of accountability, equity, and service, they undermine the very fabric of nation-building. How can Sierra Leone progress when its institutions prioritize pleasing a few individuals over fulfilling their mandates? How can citizens trust public services when these services are weaponized to serve political interests?
The leadership at EDSA and other state institutions must reflect on the hypocrisy of their actions. The lives lost in hospitals, the businesses destroyed, and the dreams shattered due to power outages are as significant as any disruption caused during a First Lady’s radio interview. If EDSA had consistently issued apologies to its customers for similar occurrences, their recent statement would not have caused such outrage. Instead, it reveals a double standard that feeds into the growing frustration among Sierra Leoneans.
It is time for EDSA to reclaim its mandate. The institution must remember that its primary responsibility is to the people—the taxpayers and customers who rely on electricity to live, work, and thrive.
This requires a cultural shift within the organization. EDSA must acknowledge its failures and issue a heartfelt apology to all Sierra Leoneans affected by its inefficiencies over the years. Public institutions must commit to treating all citizens equally, ensuring fairness regardless of whether they are ordinary people or political elites. It is crucial to establish mechanisms that hold EDSA accountable for power outages, with transparent and actionable plans for improvement. Additionally, leaders in professional roles must reject political patronage and focus on prioritizing public service over political interests.
Sierra Leone deserves better. EDSA and similar institutions must rise above sycophancy and embrace professionalism, equity, and accountability. The lives of the masses cannot be continuously sidelined in favour of the comfort of a few. The time to act is now. Only then can Sierra Leone begin to move forward, shedding the chains of institutional failure and embracing the promise of progress.
The apology to the First Lady was a stark reminder of how far we have strayed. Let it also be a turning point—a call to action for a more just and equitable society.
