Dr Ibrahim Bangura has declared that he possesses the knowledge, experience, and capacity to contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of Sierra Leone, describing the present moment as the right time for new leadership actors to emerge.
Dr Bangura made the statement during an interview with Spear News when asked about his preparedness and ability to govern Sierra Leone. He said his confidence is grounded in more than two decades of engagement with governance, security, and development issues both within the country and across the African continent.
“I believe that I have the knowledge and capacity to contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of Sierra Leone. I understand the issues, and it is the right time for a new actor like Dr Ibrahim Bangura to contend for the leadership of Sierra Leone,” he said.
According to Dr Bangura, his experience spans academic research, policy formulation, and practical involvement in post conflict recovery and institutional reform. He noted that he has written extensively and conducted research on governance in Sierra Leone and in several other African countries, giving him a broad understanding of the challenges facing developing democracies.
He disclosed that he played an active role in civil society efforts aimed at stabilizing Sierra Leone after the civil war. During that period, he worked with a non governmental organization known as PRIDE, contributing to initiatives focused on peace building and national recovery.
Dr Bangura further explained that over the past fifteen years, he has been involved in security sector reform in Sierra Leone. He said his work in this area included assessing governance related interventions and serving as a result oriented monitoring expert, ensuring that reforms delivered measurable outcomes.
In addition, he revealed that he served as a security sector adviser under a Department for International Development funded programme known as Access to Security and Justice. Through this role, he worked closely with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, providing technical support and policy guidance on issues related to security and justice delivery.
Dr Bangura also highlighted his contributions to justice sector reform. He disclosed that he authored two generations of justice sector strategies for Sierra Leone and supported several rule of law programmes implemented by the United Nations Development Programme. According to him, these efforts were aimed at strengthening institutions, improving access to justice, and reinforcing public confidence in the legal system.
Beyond Sierra Leone, Dr Bangura said his professional experience extends to regional and continental levels. He noted that he has worked with the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union on governance related issues, gaining exposure to comparative policy approaches and regional best practices.
He emphasized that his diverse background has equipped him with a deep understanding of governance, security, and development challenges facing Sierra Leone today. Dr Bangura said he believes the country stands at a critical point where leadership must be informed by experience, research, and a clear vision for reform.
Concluding the interview, Dr Bangura reiterated his readiness to serve and contribute to national development, stressing that his motivation is rooted in a long standing commitment to public service and the advancement of Sierra Leone’s democratic and development aspirations.
