By Sulaiman Aruna Sesay
Sierra Leone has undoubtedly made some notable achievements in its economic development in recent years. But, the lives of the citizens remain largely unaffected by these supposed economic achievements. There is a need for a critical evaluation of the factors responsible for this gap and constructive steps to address the issues.
One of the root causes of this discrepancy is the unequal distribution of wealth. While some Sierra Leoneans have experienced significant improvements in their standards of living, the majority are still struggling to meet their basic needs. Economic development initiatives have tended to focus on a few sectors. For example, mining, education, energy and tourism, which have yielded dividends for some citizens but have left others behind?
Another contributing factor is the lack of infrastructure. The development of any nation is correlated to the level of infrastructure present. But in Sierra Leone, there has been limited progress in developing critical infrastructure such as roads, schools, hospitals, and public transport, among others. This lack of infrastructure poses a significant challenge to the country’s economic growth and development.
Corruption and mismanagement remain endemic in Sierra Leone’s economy, which can impact its progress. Corruption in public institutions undermines economic development efforts and results in the unequal distribution of resources. This problem seeps into all aspects of society, from education to healthcare to employment. When corruption exists, the people who are supposed to benefit from economic development initiatives are often left behind.
Another challenge affecting the lives of Sierra Leoneans is limited access to education and health care. While initiatives have been launched to improve primary and secondary school enrolment and to increase the number of healthcare facilities, significant work remains to be done. Many people still cannot afford education, and the quality of healthcare remains poor.
To address these challenges, Sierra Leone needs to adopt a holistic approach to economic development that targets all sectors of the economy. The country must invest in education, health care, and infrastructure, as this will encourage foreign investment and local entrepreneurship. Also, efforts should be made to reduce corruption and improve governance by making public institutions more accountable.
Sierra Leone’s economic development has not translated into better lives for its citizens as expected. While some have benefitted from the economic achievements, others have been left behind. The government must address the challenges facing the Sierra Leoneans and seek long-term solutions to improve the welfare of all citizens. By doing this, it can ensure that the economic developments trickle down to all citizens, thereby reducing poverty and improving the standard of living of the people.
