“What God cannot do, does not exist.” As he was speaking words of peace and reconciliation and harmony to his Comrades of the APC at an inaugural event in Phoenix Arizona in the United States of America, youths from all works of life in Kenema District in the Eastern Region of Sierra Leone were out in their thousands jogging for peace in his name, “Peace Jogging in support of Dr. Kaifala Marah.”
According to a press release by the organizers of the Kenema Jogging in support of Dr. Kaifala Marah, what they described as “this remarkable assembly of over 3000 enthusiastic young individuals showcased their commitment to promoting peace, unity, and progress in Sierra Leone, and a testament to the power of youth advocacy and the potential for collective action to effect positive change in the nation.”
In Kenema, a day after Dr. Marah had clearly showcased the problems of disunity, disrespect of leaders, and the use of invectives and unsavory words and commentaries against each other and the leadership of the party using social media platforms; and had also recommended solutions as to how the APC can boldly step out of the nemesis they are caught up in as a party, the youths in Kenema, were on the main streets jogging, clad in T-shirts bearing his portrait and they were carrying placards with peace messages that exemplifies Dr. Marah’s true character as a peaceful, humble, respectful, generous, committed and determined leader who wants the best for his compatriots in an atmosphere of peaceful co-existence, unity and a harmonious environment where every citizen can compete with positive mindsets to the socioeconomic and political developments of the country.
In Phoenix, Arizona, Dr. Marah called the spade, a spade with his insights into the socioeconomic developmental journeys of the APC from 2007 to 2017 to the manipulated elections of 2018 and the stolen one of 2023. He described the occasion as, “not just a night of celebration but one of introspection, unity, and commitment to building a brighter future.”
In his juxtaposition of the state of Sierra Leone under the current SLPP administration and that of the Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma led APC administration; he noted that “Sierra Leone is at a critical juncture,” pointing out the anomalies as thus:
“Over 80% of our population grapples with food insecurity. One in four children suffers from malnutrition despite the abundance of natural resources such as fish in our waters. Inflation has soared above 20%, and the burden of unsustainable debt is suffocating our economy. These numbers are not abstract; they represent the harsh realities faced daily by our people. While external shocks like the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ukraine war have had global impacts, neighbouring countries have relatively managed to recover and stabilize,” but that for Sierra Leone, he maintained that, “yet, Sierra Leone lags behind; a clear indication that internal mismanagement and poor policy choices have exacerbated our plight.”
Drawing a visibly notifying analysis, he reminded his Comrades and indeed the people of Sierra Leone that: “We are reminded that, in opposition, the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) accused the APC government of managing an economy riddled with leakages and pledged to close those gaps. Yet, under the SLPP, the economy is not just leaking; it is drowning in waste, characterized by excessive overseas travel and poor expenditure management. Salaries and pensions are delayed, and intergovernmental transfers lag behind, leaving vital institutions in disarray.”
He however proffered an advice to demonstrate his nationalism and expertise to ameliorate the situation, suggesting that the government acts simply but urgently to establish a “Cut Waste Panel to rationalize revenue and expenditure, reduce waste, and create fiscal space, halt domestic borrowing, which is crowding out the private sector and escalating domestic debt.”
He recalled with satisfaction that when he served under President Ernest Bai Koroma as Minister of Finance and Economic Development in 2013, he and his team implemented such measures that ensured the reduction of domestic interest rates from 27% to under 5% and bringing inflation down from 12% to 6.4% by May 2014; and that they introduced the Treasury Single Account for better resource management, which, he lamented, “regrettably, is not functioning as intended.”
He also pointed out that the government failed to build upon the successes of President Ernest Bai Koroma, disclosing that the APC delivered over 1,000 kilometers of paved roads, compared to less than half that under the current administration, and that the APC took water to Kenema, Kailahun, Pujehun, Bo, Makeni, Port Loko, Mile 91, and Kabala; and also on energy, the APC delivered 50MW from the Bumbuna hydro-dam, along with additional projects like the Charlotte, Bankasoka and Makali hydros, solar parks, barefoot women’s solar project, 6MW in Lungi, 8MW in Kono, and facilitated the CLSG power supply network, etc, while confidently positing that the current administration’s contributions pale in comparison.
Being that the SLPP administration campaigned on bread and butter issues, Dr. Marah informed Sierra Leoneans that what most is concerning to him and his fellow compatriots, is the unjustified tax increase on rice in 2024 and now in 2025(sic: from 5% to 10% respectively), which is further burdening on an already struggling and hungry population, he therefore noted, “Sierra Leoneans remember the days when the APC waived duties on rice, easing the cost of living for the average citizen. With APC at the helm, such neglect of our people’s welfare will be reversed. We have the expertise and strategies to restore hope and prosperity.”
In his candid call for peace, unity and reconciliation within the APC, Dr. Marah recalled that the aftermath of the 2023 elections underscored the need for reconciliation and unity within its ranks; and posed a very frank and insightful question: “if we believe the APC is the answer to Sierra Leone’s problems, how can we succeed while divided?” and encouraged his comrades not to forget that, “a house divided against itself cannot stand; much less win or thrive. He therefore called peace and cohesion within the APC party as they are non-negotiable.
We must unite, heal, and prioritize the collective interest over individual ambitions. The APC has always been a party of courage, truth, and love. These values must guide us as we navigate internal divisions and work towards healing. Forgiveness and collaboration must take precedence over personal ambition. Our shared mission is far greater than any individual interest. Only through unity can we effectively challenge the government and reclaim governance to serve the people of Sierra Leone,” Dr. Marah appealed.
Meanwhile, in his thank you message to the Kenema Joggers from Phoenix Arizona, Dr. Marah applauded the determination and commitment of the youths to promoting peace, unity, and progress in the country.
In acknowledging this, Dr. Marah did not mince his words in alluding to this national call pointing out that: “Your determination to come together for a common cause speaks volumes about your character and passion for making a positive impact in the community. Such actions are not just symbolic; they lay the groundwork for a more peaceful and harmonious society,” and in noting the power of the youth to effect the desired change to achieving national peace and cohesion, he affirmed: “I truly believe that it is the youth who possess the power to drive change, and your participation in this event is a reflection of your resolve to shape a brighter future for Sierra Leone,” pointing out with a clear nationalistic spirit that: “I appreciate all the time, energy, and enthusiasm you have devoted to this noble cause. The camaraderie and spirit of togetherness that you displayed during the jogging resonated deeply with the values we hold dear as a nation. It is indeed a good idea to engage in activities that uplift our communities while promoting peace and understanding among our people. As we move forward, let us continue to build on this momentum and work together towards achieving our shared goals.”