By Andrew Keili

For the past few years, I have at the start of each year reflected on issues that defined the previous year for Sierra Leoneans. These are issues which in my view probably reflect the general direction the country. I entreat you to ponder on my list of fifteen.

1. The paradox of the economy

Inflation fell sharply to a single digit figure and an effective monetary management by the Bank of Sierra Leone helped keep the exchange rate fairly steady. The reduction of rice importation figures and the ready availability of several food products that were hitherto in short supply pointed to some success of the Feed Salone programme. With productivity constrained, Sierra Leone’s economy however remained largely donor driven with its attendant conditionalities. The sluggishness of some major sectors of the economy and the increase in the poverty rate meant that despite the government’s best efforts, there was hardship felt by a large percentage of the population. The acute unemployment situation for youths, including new graduates was also concerning.

2. Flagbearer race: the marathon started

Though no party has officially declared the flagbearer race open, potential aspirants from both major parties traversed the country, touting their credentials. This time around, money seemed to play a major part at the onset. There were endless debates as to who is backing whom and who may be eligible to stand. The marathon truly started and will intensify in the new year. Two mavericks that seemed to be dominant in the campaign or political sensitization, albeit with some controversies were First Lady Fatima Maada Bio with her resilience, inordinate influence within the SLPP and being unafraid to speak her mind and APC’s Mohamed Omodu Kamara aka Jagaban for his unceasing, money-laden flagbearer campaign.

3. Drugs are killing our youths

The spiral of deaths of young people affected by the Kush crisis was alarming. With the government initially accused of not addressing the scourge seriously, it is now very much under the government’s radar. Public education campaigns on drugs, the building and operation of rehabilitation centers and other initiatives are being undertaken. NGOs and philanthropic and community organisations have weighed in but the issue of drugs, especially Kush is so serious that there seems to be no end in sight at the moment. The spate of deaths on the streets and disputes over which institutions should be responsible for burials is head-scratching.

4. The country’s bad rap for drugs

Several instances of drug caches being impounded locally and in the sub-region, allegedly emanating from Sierra Leone have proved embarrassing for the country.  Allegations of harbouring fugitive drug dealers and being soft on drugs have not been benign to the country’s image. Towards the end of the year, some tough measures by TOCU and other agencies were evident and several caches were apprehended. The judiciary has introduced tough punitive measures for all kinds of drug offences. Such an unsavoury image for a country usually takes a while to shake off. The government is well aware of what such an unwarranted image portends for our country and is expected to pull out all stops to change this image.

5. Electricity: frustrating, but light at the end of the tunnel

Despite current challenges, some major gains were made in ensuring sustainability over the short term. After signing the US$480 million MCC Compact in September, 2024, Sierra Leone survived the global review of MCC compacts in January 2025. The Mission 300 Initiative to address energy poverty was also launched. A raft of generation projects including the108.5 MW NANT gas-to-energy plant at Kissy Dockyard and a host of solar projects would mean that within the next one and a half years, the generation situation would have been much improved.

6. Local food production surged, but….

We witnessed a rise in rice production of 8% and a 13% reduction in rice imports resulting in savings of over US$15 million in foreign exchange. Rice prices also declined by 20%. Strategic market interventions also positively affected the domestic supply of onions and eggs. For the first time, Sierra Leone began exporting vegetable oil and other agricultural products. These developments did not however make a notable dent to the hardship in the country.

7. The unheralded growth in manufacturing

One has to applaud the Trade Ministry for several initiatives to reduce the cost of essential goods and for actively encouraging the manufacturing of several essential goods. The pricing formula introduced for goods – rice, flour, sugar, cement, and petroleum products combined with exchange rate stability and public-private dialogue, helped reduce prices. The manufacturing sector contributed 22% of the GDP, with strong growth in food processing, cement, aluminium, copper, recycled materials, and plastics – signaling a revitalization of the industrial sector.

8. Kono: the big diamond burst

The people of Kono witnessed three major mines- Koidu Limited, Meya Mining and a prospective Seawright mine (effect spread to Sierra Diamonds in Tongo) stop operations for various reasons. The effect on the people and economy of Kono has been disastrous and whilst the blame may not be laid squarely at the government’s doorstep, something must be done to ease the economic upheaval these closures (temporary or otherwise) have caused for Kono. The once big diamond boom is now a diamond burst. Sierra Leone (of the SLST and Star of Sierra Leone fame) no longer has a large-scale operating diamond mine!

9. Finally, PPRC grows some teeth

The PPRC finally seemed to have some teeth and it would seem the big parties are complying with its dictates. Both SLPP and APC paid heavy fines for inflammatory statements made by party officials. The PPRC also weighed in on the complaint filed by former Vice President Samuel Sam Sumana against the APC relating to his membership status, which had stood in the way of his being a flagbearer aspirant. It would also seem that the APC would comply with its orders. Altogether, it has given the institution the semblance of being a fair and impartial arbiter. May this long continue!

• The quiet revolution at Health

Notwithstanding the many challenges to our health system, one must give plaudits to several developments in the Health Ministry which include amongst others the training of doctors in various health specialties in the Postgraduate medical college and efforts that have taken place to reduce maternal and newborn deaths by 70%, supported by expanded immunisation, improved nutrition programmes, better access to essential medicines, and stronger WASH services at last-mile facilities.

• Overseas aid woes

With overseas aid from our traditional donor countries severely curtailed, several important programmes were either terminated of severely reduced. Associated NGOs were rendered severely constrained to offer services at the same levels as before. Projects particularly hit included USAID projects of various sorts and projects funded through the UK’s FCDO and the EU. Several MDAs were affected, including the Ministries of Education and Health and several other MDAs dealing with social programmes.

• Our overseas travel woes and more

Restrictions placed on travel visas to the USA initially started as a partial ban for Sierra Leone for certain types if visas and later a full ban. The measures adopted would also seem to affect Sierra Leoneans in the throes of legitimising their stay through official channels. Several reasons were proffered but with indications that other countries with similar or worse indices (whatever measures are used) are left off the hook, one can’t help but feel that perhaps some “thinking out of the box” measures together with attempts at improved compliance can do us a world of good.

• Lawyers should take off their wigs

The Bar association, created to provide a unified voice within the legal profession and play other roles including: the regulation of the legal profession; the protection of the rule of law; and engaging in law reform has been split right down the middle since that infamous election in Kenema. This has certainly not been good for our democracy, especially at this time when there are several governance and constitutional issues that demand their attention. When they come to a fork in the road, our learned friends go both ways! Someone quipped that perhaps it is high time our lawyers removed their wigs to hear each other out!

• Tripartite: Progress good, but what’s the end game?

The Tripartite Committee focused on implementing several recommendations made. Significant progress was noted on several of these and some of the required laws drafted. Implementing the recommended electoral reforms was however slow. Some of the recommendations for electoral, institutional and legal reforms issued would require constitutional amendments to be adopted and implemented. The unresolved disagreements over whether to run Parliamentary and Local Government elections under the PR or First Past the Post System still linger. The proposal emanating from the government to include the PR system into appointments in the Executive Branch of government has proved particularly controversial. Altogether, despite the progress, there are still vehement disagreements on some issues and the need to bring closure in implementing recommendations agreed upon.

• Improvements in transportation

The various projects run through IRUMP and the Public Transport Authority which are part of the urban mobility strategy seemed to bear fruit. The new Public Transit Terminal at Lumley to ease congestion, the traffic lights and the Kekeh park at Lumley positively impacted on easing transportation woes around the Lumley axis.

Looking forward to a better 2026

To paraphrase Donald Rumsfeld, US Defence Secretary during the Iraq War, in life and politics there are things you know, things you know that you don’t know and “unknown-unknowns”.

‌The big “known-known” for Sierra Leone in 2026 is that the two major parties will be holding their flagbearer elections. The political twists and turns will continue and flagbearer aspirants will traverse cross the country. Social media will also be on overdrive for political issues.

“Known-unknowns” include national and global economic conditions and how these will affect the economy and our living conditions, issues of electoral and constitutional reform, the drug crisis and addressing our travel ban woes.

We should also not forget about the “unknown-unknowns”, which hover over 2026. These will undoubtedly keep us guessing and make us have sleepless nights.

Whatever the case as we reflect on these issues, we should enter 2026 with hope as espoused by the hymnwriter:Father, let me dedicate

all this year to thee,

in whatever worldly state

thou wilt have me be:

not from sorrow, pain or care

freedom dare I claim;

this alone shall be my prayer:

glorify thy name

Wishing you the best in 2026.

Ponder my thoughts.