By John Conteh
Democracy is defined as a Government of the People, for the People and by the People.
This definition is the most popular and widely accepted definition. Abraham Lincoln, former President of the United States of America, is the author of this definition, though existing definitions did not gain popular acceptance.
He was a lawyer but gave all the praise to his stepmother who helped him with his formal education. He was assassinated during his second term of office as President of the United States of America.
A period in the history of America, when the southern states wanted to break away from the northern states because the south were in favour of the existence of slavery while the northern states disagreed.
He succeeded in a civil war that brought the states together. It was this victory which led to the writing of the Getesbury Address by Abraham Lincoln, explaining that all men are equal under Democracy.
Democracy has been a popular form of government compared to federacy, socialism and monarchy, to name but a few. Democracy is all about the people voting their leaders to run the government in a country. It is about the people choosing who they believe will seek their interest.
In this form of government, it shall not be implemented properly without the existence of freedom of the press, freedom of expression, transparency, accountability, the rule of law and the due process, to name but a few.
No doubt, Sierra Leone is at infancy in the practice of democracy. The people of Sierra Leone should no doubt be congratulated or commended for the implementation of this form of government. The road to the top in the practice of democracy in Sierra Leone is not far away. It should however be noted that it will not be practiced the same way it is done by the fathers of democracy, the United States of America.
The private sector is in control of this system of government. It differs from the communist form of government where the state is in control of the economy. The private sector has a vital role to play in the economy of a democratic state.
The terms of office in this system is another vital factor that cannot be neglected. If the President has done two terms, he should not contest anymore. The second term of the President or two terms is not a fixed law in this system of government. If you have done one term and the people are not satisfied you can be voted out. This is democracy.
In the United States of America, for example, a former President ruled for two terms but was urged by the populace to go in for the third term but he refused/declined. He said it will be an example for democracy in the future for the practice of democracy.
The elections are in the corner; we are now going to put democracy to a test in Sierra Leone. We have done it before and we can do it again. The elections will come to an end and it will be something of the past. The successful candidates should get at the back of their minds that they have been voted to seek the interest of Sierra Leoneans.
Sierra Leone first, just as the President of America, Donald Trump, puts America first. Our economy should be a priority, so that the standard of living of Sierra Leoneans will be comfortable.
It must not be forgotten that, as leaders, you are answerable to the people who have voted you into power.
Sierra Leone as a nation is blessed with mineral resources such as gold, diamond, rutile, iron ore and bauxite, to name a few. These raw materials should be utilized for the development of the country and for social economic development. Patriotism should not also be neglected in the implementation of democracy. Ask not what Sierra Leone has done for you but what you have done for Sierra Leone. This is patriotism. Let us always put Sierra Leone first. This is democracy.