By Alpha Amadu Jalloh
In Sierra Leone, a concerning trend has emerged, where the pursuit and celebration of awards have become a spectacle of dubious significance. From the highest echelons of power to local heroes of civil society, the obsession with accolades seems to overshadow genuine achievement and meritocracy.
It’s a narrative where everyone, from the First Lady to commercial bank managers, is adorned with titles and honours, regardless of tangible contributions to society. The allure of awards has become so pervasive that it clouds their judgment, turning leaders into self-serving figures more concerned with personal glorification than meaningful governance.
Consider the scenario of a football player hailed as a hero for merely kicking a ball aimlessly into the sky, while his supporters cheer him on as if he’s secured victory single-handedly. Similarly, the political elite, including His Excellency President Julius Maada Wonnie Bio, seem to revel in a culture of accolades, where the acquisition of titles and awards becomes a measure of success, irrespective of substance.
The irony is stark when even the title of “Her Excellency” is bestowed upon the First Lady without any electoral mandate or notable achievements. This overindulgence in titles, including the rampant proliferation of honorary doctorates, cheapens the value of genuine academic accomplishments and undermines the credibility of those who have worked tirelessly to earn legitimate qualifications.
Furthermore, the insidious spread of fake degrees and awards highlights a systemic failure in governance and oversight. Instead of cracking down on such fraudulent practices, those entrusted with upholding the law often find themselves complicit in the pursuit of dubious honours, perpetuating a culture of deception and mediocrity.
Meanwhile, as the President gallivants across the globe in pursuit of accolades, the real concerns of the people, such as the contentious Toll Gate saga, are relegated to the side lines. The prioritization of personal aggrandizement over the welfare of the nation underscores a leadership vacuum, were self-importance eclipses responsibility.
President Bio’s relentless pursuit of awards not only reflects a misplaced sense of priority but also highlights a leadership deficit in which personal glorification takes precedence over genuine service to the nation. The presidency, once revered as a symbol of hope and leadership, now appears tarnished by a facade of self-congratulatory gestures and hollow achievements.
In a country where genuine talent and hard work often go unrecognized, it’s time to reassess our values and priorities. Sierra Leone deserves leaders who are more than mere recipients of awards, but rather visionaries committed to the betterment of society. Until then, the allure of awards will continue to cast a deceptive glare, obscuring the true essence of leadership and achievement.
