Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Abdul Rashid Thomas
Published on 2024-04-03 22:10:40
Basita Michael, in her article for the Sierra Leone Telegraph on April 3, 2024, highlights the pressing issues facing Sierra Leone amidst crises such as the kushpandemic, constant power cuts, and the escalating cost of living. She also points out significant sanitation and environmental challenges in the city of Freetown, as well as the country’s grim ranking at 151 out of 157 countries on the Human Capital Index (HCI).
The forecasts that a child born in Sierra Leone today may only achieve 35% of their potential productivity due to insufficient education and health access paint a bleak picture of the future for the country. Despite these challenges, Basita Michael criticizes the country’s officials for being more preoccupied with projecting an image of success than with actual governance.
Instead of tackling the root causes of these pressing issues, government representatives and opposition figures prioritize appearances by smiling for the cameras, accepting accolades, and delivering grand speeches that do little to alleviate the hardships faced by the people of Sierra Leone. This obsession with political posturing and superficial optics is not only futile but also deceptive, as it fails to provide any substantial solutions to the country’s problems.
Basita Michael argues that this focus on personal glorification needs to shift towards prioritizing the well-being of the people of Sierra Leone. She emphasizes that true progress cannot be measured by the number of awards politicians accumulate or the eloquence of their speeches. Instead, true progress lies in tangible improvements in the lives of citizens, including the quality of service delivery and the affordability of basic necessities.
The author also highlights the rampant lawlessness, ineffective anti-corruption efforts, embezzlement of public funds, and tragic loss of lives that plague the nation. It is essential for public officials, both in government and in opposition, to prioritize the welfare of the people over their own personal gain. Only by addressing these critical issues and focusing on the well-being of the population can Sierra Leone truly progress and overcome the challenges it currently faces.
In conclusion, Basita Michael’s article calls for a shift in focus from political posturing to genuine governance that prioritizes the needs of the people. It is time for officials to move beyond appearances and speeches and to take concrete actions that will lead to real improvements in the lives of Sierra Leoneans. Only then can the country truly progress and fulfill its potential.
Read the original article on Sierra Leone Telegraph
