By Sulaiman Aruna Sesay
Sierra Leoneans have been struggling for survival as a result of bad governance. Basic needs such as food, water, healthcare, and education have been consistently denied to the ordinary citizens of the country. Sierra Leone is a resource-rich country with a booming economy, but poor governance has been a bane to the growth of the nation. The country has been plagued by corruption, nepotism, and political instability, leading to a struggle for survival for the ordinary Sierra Leoneans.
One of the recurring problems that the Sierra Leonean people face is lack of access to clean water. Access to clean water is a fundamental right that should be provided to every citizen of a country. It is unfortunate that despite the abundance of water bodies in Sierra Leone, its people are still grappling with access to clean water. According to UNICEF, about 36% of Sierra Leoneans do not have access to safe drinking water. It is alarming that in 2021, a significant percentage of the population still lacks access to clean water in one of Africa’s richest countries.
Another essential need that is being denied to Sierra Leoneans is healthcare. The healthcare system in Sierra Leone is in shambles, resulting in preventable deaths and high maternal and infant mortality rates. The country has a shortage of well-equipped medical facilities and healthcare personnel. Reports indicate that Sierra Leone has one of the highest infant mortality rates globally, with about 87 infant deaths per 1,000 births. Bad governance has played a crucial role in the deplorable state of the healthcare system in Sierra Leone.
The country’s education system is in tatters, with many children lacking access to quality education. Education is a fundamental right that should be available to every child in a country, but this is not the case in Sierra Leone. Inadequate funding of the education sector has resulted in low-quality education, limitations to access education, and high dropout rates. According to UNESCO, Sierra Leone has one of the lowest literacy rates globally, with about two-thirds of its population being unable to read and write.
The underlying factor to the struggles of Sierra Leoneans for basic needs is bad governance. Corruption and political instability have resulted in limited development, poor infrastructure, and inadequate service delivery in Sierra Leone. The African Governance Architecture report highlights that corruption is the main cause of governance challenges in Africa. It is estimated that the Sierra Leonean government loses about $200 million annually due to corruption. These funds could have been invested in providing basic needs such as clean water, healthcare, and education to its citizens.
The struggles of Sierra Leoneans for basic needs cannot be ignored. It is time that the government takes responsibility for providing the essential needs of its citizens. The government needs to implement policies that will prioritize access to clean water, healthcare, and education. Also, corruption and nepotism must be eradicated to ensure that resources are channelled towards the development of the country. With good governance, the Sierra Leonean people can enjoy access to basic needs and live above the poverty line.
