BY Andrew Keili
I have over the past few years at this time reflected on issues that defined the previous year for Sierra Leoneans. I do not intent to depart from this time-honoured obligation. There are important issues like the fall of the historic cotton tree on March 4 that could have made the cut but probably did not affect the general direction of the country as much as others. I entreat you to reflect on my list of ten issues.
- The economy: No butter for the bread
The very difficult economic circumstances were largely as a result of the global economic squeeze. Prices of essential commodities spiraled out of control to the extent that the inflation rate reached 54 percent by year’s end. The sharp depreciation of the exchange rate made for a precarious situation. The poverty rate increased, impacting on bread and butter issues. Local solutions to this dire situation did not meet with much success and government’s actions may have exacerbated the situation. The national wage bill continued to bloat, expenditure could not be successfully controlled and excessive leakages were borne out by negative audit reports. The redenomination of the Leone caused further difficulties in the financial market.
- We ate slept and breathed politics and elections
Election related issues dominated national life. After a series of court cases and fights within the opposition APC, the party’s flagbearer election was resoundingly won by Dr. Samura Kamara. Pre-General election preparations were met with considerable skepticism by the APC which objected to a wide array of issues including aspects of the electoral process and the choice of the proportional representation system for the election.
The election results were disputed by the APC and a host of local and international observers, who expressed concern about “the lack of transparency in the tabulation process”. APC parliamentarians refused to take their seats in Parliament.
The Peace accord signed between the two major parties with external help, brought the APC to the negotiating table, with the party agreeing to take its seats in Parliament.
By year’s end there were still acute divisions between the government and main opposition party. The September 11 public protest in Freetown and other parts of the country resulted in the arrest of more than 70 individuals. The attempted coup of November 26 incurred considerable loss of life and has heightened the state of insecurity further.
- Women and youths holding up half the sky
After the elections, President Bio embarked upon a massive rejuvenation of his cabinet. Many prominent members of the old guard were cast aside and a considerable number of young people appointed to Ministerial, Deputy Ministerial and other prominent positions. A considerable number of women were put into top positions. These appointments indicated that there was no longer a glass ceiling for women and youths. With the election laws allowing for every third candidate to be a woman, the current Parliament now has the highest ever proportion of women. The influence of women on decision making has been further bolstered by the new Gender and Women’s Empowerment Act.
- Third parties? What third parties?
Unwittingly, the threshold rules adopted in the proportional representation system resulted in making third parties almost extinct, as they found it difficult reaching the 11.5% of votes required.
The NGC formed an Alliance with the SLPP at a widely publicized event on April 23. The parties proposed to “pool resources to ensure victory in the election of June 24, 2023 through collaboration at all levels of the political/electoral landscape”. President Bio however only gave appointments to the NGC leader, Dr, Kandeh Yumkella and one Deputy Minister from within the ranks of the NGC. This has led to some disquiet within the NGC and accusations that the ruling SLPP has reneged on a publicly signed agreement. This, according to some within the NGC is dishonourable behaviour that may not bode well for trust in any political alliances in future.
- A ray of hope with human development
The government’s Free Quality Education Programme continued to bear fruits with increased access to education and radical inclusion of all shades of citizens in its educational agenda. There were however concerns about educational standards. There were several concerns about educational malpractices which cast a dark cloud on the integrity of examination results.
The health sector performed some admirable feats. The training of advanced specialists was intensified. Sierra Leone showed the most rapid decline in maternal mortality in the continent. Medical Student enrolment increased from 50 to 400. Sierra Leone introduced the HPV vaccine as part of the strategy to eliminate cervical cancer as well as a Malaria vaccination strategy. The miserably low per capita Health expenditure at $46 per compared to $490 in South Africa, $85 in Ghana and $77 in Senegal will affect major improvements in the sector.
Kush became the drug of choice for many youths The use of the illegal drug increased, negatively impacting youths across Sierra Leone.
Unemployment continued to be on the rise with the youth unemployment problem in particular proving intractable.
- Agreements? Who agrees?
The signing of major agreements related to infrastructure projects continued to be problematic. A public spat took place over the Pepel railway and port agreement involving China Kingho and Arise (SL) Ltd. Various statements made in the media may seem to indicate that we may not have seen the last of this issue. The more recent conflicting information about the agreement with Summa group related to the new airport may result in excessive travel fees when using the airport.
The impression that major infrastructure agreements committing the country to onerous financial terms for prolonged periods may have been signed ostensibly without much deliberation by relevant government parties and any rigorous review by Parliament and other bodies continues to linger in the minds of many discerning people.
- Governance: Quis custodiet ipsos custodies?
“Quis custodiet ipsos custodies?” is Latin for “who will guard the guards themselves?” and is generally used to describe a situation in which a person or body having power to supervise or scrutinise the actions of others, is not itself or themselves subject to supervision or scrutiny.
The suspension of the Auditor General, Lara Taylor Pearce and her Deputy which had commenced late in the previous year continued during the year with little headway made at the Tribunal hearings. Meanwhile the latest Audit report continues to demonstrate systematic and poor compliance with established laws, rules and practices, as well as poor accountability and transparency. It would also seem Parliament did not consider it prudent to discuss the negative audit report. Towards the end of the year the Chief Justice went on an unexplained leave, with speculations that he may not return to his post.
With bodies tasked with holding government accountable in one way or another ineffective or seemingly rendered so, the question, “Quis custodiet ipsos custodies?” may not be far-fetched question.
- Infrastructural development: A mixed bag
Access to electricity continued to increase nationally with the commissioning of mini-grids and extension of the grid to new areas through various government and donor funded projects. The lack of investment in the sector however continued to be manifest in urban areas like Freetown where electricity supply on a sustained basis became unreliable. Whilst there were some improvements in provincial water supply, the Freetown situation continued to be problematic. Several roads projects were undertaken and in Freetown, there was commendable implementation of projects to ease transportation problems in congested areas. The Sierra Leone Integrated and Resilient Urban Project in particular yielded commendable results.
The construction of a new $270 million Airport terminal Project at Lungi by the Turkish Summa Group was completed and the airport commissioned. The telecommunications sector witnessed a significant increase in prices.
- The digital age and social media: A double edged sword
The new Ministry of communications has indicated its seriousness to take advantage of the digital age with several new initiatives.
Whereas there were several positive aspects to the use of social media, it also became a tool for division. Several self-styled broadcasters became purveyors of false and inciting information. This has largely led to political, tribal and all kinds of divisions. It will be difficult to put this genie back in the bottle.
- Punching above our weight on the international scene
Despite all our problems, we seemed to have punched above our weight on the international scene. Sierra Leone was elected to the United Nations Security Council non-permanent seat (2024-2025). President Bio played important roles in many areas including being made Chair of the APR forum of Heads of State. An influential First Lady received several international laurels including becoming a member of the United Nation’s Zero waste Advisory Board and was named as a UNAIDS champion for the empowerment and engagement of adolescent girls and young women in Sierra Leone.
Our major external development partners continued to engage us, albeit on a limited scale in certain areas despite their reservations on various issues handled by government. By year’s end the MCC compact was still on the cards.
Looking forward to a better 2024
The new year has not got off to as good as start as would have been hoped for, with various issues including the investigations into the attempted coup and the alleged involvement and house detention of Former President Koroma. Further improvements in governance and democratization including a successful outcome to the inter party dialogue that has commenced will undoubtedly yield positive dividends, including national peace and prosperity and increased confidence in our development trajectory from our development partners. One very much hopes that the government’s commendable objectives for the big ‘5 Game Changers’ which gives more opportunities for foreign direct investment in the area of agriculture, energy, youth empowerment, tourism, and culture, innovation, and technology will be realised. We have to live in hope while reflecting on a rather dour 2023 that 2024 will be a much better year for this land that we love.
Wishing you the best in 2024.
Ponder my thoughts]
