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Wednesday, November 13, 2024

‘Paopa Salone Dae Pwel’

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By Sylvster Samai

With the current administration led by the Sierra Leone Peoples Party (SLPP), also known as the “Paopa” government, hopes for lasting development has waned, and the outlook has grown grim. Instead of steering the country toward stability and prosperity, systemic failures, poor governance, and neglected accountability have pushed Sierra Leone toward a crisis of unprecedented magnitude. This worrying trend reveals a government out of touch with the people and indifferent to the values of transparency, integrity, and progress.

One of the most pressing issues in Sierra Leone is the systemic failure in governance, which has created a cycle of dysfunction within government institutions and, consequently, the entire country. Governance in Sierra Leone has suffered from a lack of transparency, misallocation of resources, and a leadership focused more on political patronage than on genuine service to the nation. SLPP’s governance, often referred to as the “Paopa” style—meaning “by any means necessary”—has led to a pattern of decision-making that prioritizes political loyalty over merit, a damaging approach in a nation desperate for effective leadership.

Public institutions in Sierra Leone are struggling, weighed down by bureaucratic inefficiencies and political interference. Critical sectors such as health, education, and infrastructure suffer from a lack of funding and mismanagement, which leaves citizens with few viable services. This lack of functionality is evident in every sector, from the scarcity of medicines in hospitals to the crumbling state of the nation’s roads, affecting the quality of life for millions.

Under the SLPP, Sierra Leone’s economy has grown increasingly fragile, unable to withstand shocks and pressures, whether global or domestic. Inflation rates have soared, eroding purchasing power and driving many citizens into poverty. A nation rich in natural resources, Sierra Leone paradoxically struggles with poverty on a large scale, a consequence of mismanagement and corruption that siphons wealth away from where it is most needed.

Agriculture, which is the backbone of Sierra Leone’s economy, is left unsupported, with inadequate funding and resources, despite its potential to address food security issues. Instead of empowering farmers or investing in local industries, the government has allowed the country to become heavily reliant on imports. This dependency has not only stifled the economy but has also increased the vulnerability of Sierra Leoneans, who now face higher prices for basic goods.

Unemployment has also reached alarming levels, especially among the youth, who make up a significant proportion of the population. Many young people, disillusioned with the lack of opportunities and advancement, are increasingly susceptible to turning to crime or considering migration as a means of escape. The SLPP’s failure to provide sustainable employment options or invest in youth skills development has only fueled the country’s economic decline.

Corruption remains a severe problem under the SLPP government. Many officials have been accused of embezzling public funds, diverting resources meant for development projects, and using their positions for personal gain. Despite promises to tackle corruption, the government’s response has been largely superficial, lacking the genuine resolve needed to dismantle entrenched networks of graft and theft within public institutions.

The lack of accountability is compounded by a judiciary that is widely perceived as compromised and influenced by political interests. Without a reliable judicial system, there is little hope for justice or retribution against those who misuse public resources. This has bred a culture of impunity, where officials feel emboldened to engage in corrupt practices with little fear of consequence. The result is a vicious cycle, where corruption drains resources that could otherwise be invested in critical areas like healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

The degradation of healthcare and education services in Sierra Leone is another disturbing indicator of the SLPP’s governance failures. Hospitals across the country are undersupplied and underfunded, with many healthcare workers lacking basic equipment to carry out their duties. During health crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the weaknesses of the health system were laid bare, revealing a severe lack of preparedness and resilience.

Education, which should serve as the foundation for Sierra Leone’s future, is in a similarly dire state. Despite claims of providing free quality education, the reality is that schools are overcrowded, understaffed, and lack basic facilities. Teachers often go unpaid for months, leading to frequent strikes and disruptions in the academic calendar. The Paopa government’s failure to invest meaningfully in education threatens to deprive an entire generation of the skills and knowledge needed to drive national development.

As these failures accumulate, social discontent has been rising among Sierra Leoneans who are frustrated with the direction of the country. Protests and public demonstrations have become increasingly common, with citizens calling for accountability, better services, and genuine leadership. Unfortunately, the government’s response has often been to suppress dissent rather than address the root causes of discontent.

The tension between the government and the people poses a serious threat to national stability. Sierra Leone’s recent history of civil conflict makes this an especially dangerous development, as economic hardship, inequality, and political repression have often served as triggers for unrest. The SLPP’s inability to listen to the grievances of its citizens and make necessary reforms only exacerbates the risk of political instability.

For Sierra Leone to escape its current trajectory, urgent reforms are needed. The SLPP government must prioritize transparency, accountability, and genuine efforts to improve the quality of life for Sierra Leoneans. Institutional reform is essential to restore functionality and build public trust. This includes ensuring the independence of the judiciary, reducing political interference in public institutions, and promoting merit-based appointments.

Investment in critical sectors, such as agriculture, education, and healthcare, is necessary to create a more resilient economy and provide Sierra Leoneans with the services they deserve. Additionally, addressing corruption must go beyond lip service; a robust anti-corruption drive with genuine political will is essential to root out graft and restore faith in public institutions.

Sierra Leone’s future depends on the willingness of its leaders to rise above self-interest and prioritize the collective good. As it stands, the SLPP government’s legacy risks being one of wasted potential and broken promises. However, if meaningful changes are made, there remains hope that Sierra Leone can still move toward a brighter, more prosperous future.

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