We Have No Business Being Poor,” says President Ernest Bai Koroma

  God’s answer for good leadership in Sierra Leone goes something like this, “Unto the nation of Sierra Leone I have sent Ernest.  His main task is to be honest with my people, the Sierra Leoneans. He should lead their surge to harness the untapped potentials within the land.  Ernest is my answer for superior leadership and good governance for my Sierra Leonean people”.  How should the nation respond to God’s answer?

  First, Sierra Leoneans should be thankful that President Ernest Bai Koroma is a leader of character who does not ‘pull his punches’, and believes in straightforward approach in his dealings.  If previous leaders have shown cold feet and become timid in letting out Sierra Leone’s paradoxical secret, EBK is different.  The fountain of honor, and highly trusted leader said, “We have no business being poor”, because “Our country is truly blessed”.  President Koroma’s statements are godly truths Sierra Leoneans needed to hear from the leader; Sierra Leone has no business being poor, in light of her infinite blessings.  Subsequently, how should Sierra Leone go after candid prosperity?

  Second, Sierra Leoneans should not take lightly the shifting tides in favor of national development.  Citizens have heard great hypes from previous leaders that left them less motivated to change their humdrum powerless mentality.  While their speeches were eloquent, their lines were like anecdotes “full of sound” for all intents and purposes “signifying nothing”.  Leaders before EBK promised Sierra Leoneans light for Freetown.  Their political propagandas were bursting with zilch, as Freetown became the darkest city in the world.  President Koroma a leader of character made good on his promise and today Freetown has light.  When EBK said, “Let there be light”, there was light and Freetown is fast becoming the brightest city in West Africa.  

  Other leaders before honest Ernest gave empty speeches about fighting corruption.  Before honest Ernest, transparency was not in good governance, but corruption.  Ask donors and international creditors why their hesitation to remit funds to Sierra Leone.  They will tell you because of exploitations by previous administrations that exhibited lofty appetite for unchecked corruption and grafting.  Under honest Ernest, Sierra Leone’s government is demonstrating high degrees of accountability and fiscal responsibility.

  Third, each Sierra Leonean should become an agent of the transformation demanded of the leadership.  Together, the citizenry and leadership can reach for excellence.  Previous administrations misused funds designated for the infrastructural development in Sierra Leone.  President Koroma’s administration already has plans in place to construct a network of highways and feeder roads in Sierra Leone.  EBK is on a mission that is taking the nation somewhere.  An archetypical example of how previous leaderships led the nation to nowhere is evident in the highway between Sierra Leone and Liberia.  While Liberians embarked on the project and constructed their side of the Mano River road, Sierra Leone’s side remains a primitive road with potholes.  Sierra Leoneans should now be agents of change and modify the nation’s reflection.  Simultaneously, the people can trust the wisdom of President Koroma in building a flourishing nation-state.

  When EBK said, “there will be no sacred cows”, he possibly meant no one would be safe if they engage in acts that hinders the nation’s development.  Sierra Leone is no longer a free for all and lawless nation.  Gradually, the nation is witnessing the uprooting of corruption in government practices.  Furthermore, the rule of law is ever more becoming an uncompromising order and standard.  Previous leaders actually helped to handicap Sierra Leoneans, because they were afraid to surmise succinctly that, the nation-state has no business being poor.  Challenging the Sierra Leonean unhelpful behavior is vital, in order to implant the “go getter” attitude in the nation’s psyche.  Following the lead of the President, Sierra Leoneans cannot seat with folded hands and feet expecting others to do the hard work for the nation’s good.  The individuals the nation expected to provide the rigid labor and wherewithal in the past rubbed the nation in broad daylight.  

  Agriculture/food security is the main priority of President Koroma’s administration.  Why should Sierra Leoneans go to bed hungry in 2009, if feeding the nation was the top most concern of previous administrations?  Most responsible nations have between three to five year’s worth of food reserves just in case of national emergencies and crisis.  Sierra Leone had no food reserve when President Koroma was sworn in as leader on September 17, 2007.  As the effects of the total food negligence of the previous administration dwindle away, there are reasons to believe that the plates and stomachs of Sierra Leoneans will soon begin to taste the delicious flavor of plentiful homegrown rice.  President Koroma is able to feed Sierra Leone.

  God has given us everything to be “fruitful and multiply”.  Fruitfulness and growth does not imply the reproduction of children.  They here refer to farming constructively and productively for the benefit of the nation.  Sierra Leoneans have no business being poor, and no reason to be hungry either.

   Finally, God has given the nation all the ingredients to put daily bread on the tables of individuals.  Do we expect God to come down and do the baking and cooking?  No!  God has given the nation a leader with the knowledge of how Sierra Leoneans can bake their own daily bread.  Honest Ernest reveals that the nation needs less hot heads, but additional citizens with warm hearts.  He has shown the sagacity needed to stay on the path of sustained peace.  He has accurately assessed that no longer is Sierra Leone a symbol of “Africa’s tragedy”, but the emblem of “Africa’s hope”.  Let me end by paraphrasing honest Ernest.  Sierra Leone has no reason being poor, therefore the duty to make good use of her blessings have begun.  From being sluggish, the nation is systematically improving.  Relentlessly, the nation is replacing the world’s depiction of her as a continuous case for handouts and ‘charity’.  Instead, the nation extends the invitation to others, to invest in the emerging portrait of the new Sierra Leone.  Because the nation has no business being poor, the trusted leader has made it his business to make Sierra Leone a new age industrious icon of success. Moreover, the citizenry are ready to undertake the task with him.  In addition, the people shall forevermore enjoy the blessings of the motherland.

Blessings and Peace,

Rev. Kemoh Sulimani Jr.