On 27th April and May 1st 2024, Sierra Leone celebrated two important days, one being the country’s Independence Day, the other being the international Labor Day also marked globally to celebrate the work force.
Sierra Leone is 63 years in self-determination from British Colonial rule which means it is more than halfway to its century journey and historians have it that the country was doing well immediately after independence.
When it comes to education Sierra Leone was like none within the sub region, on the economy, the country was also doing well but it lost all these glories as a result of bad leadership that prioritized natural resources over human capital development.
Now even after 63 years of independence Sierra Leone still cannot afford her children the basic things in life as water, electricity, food, shelter, quality education, amongst others , an indication that the citizens of this country are going through hard times.
The situation has even been made worse by the divisiveness in politics wherein we have witnessed a situation in which political cards carrying members get jobs without regard to their qualification.
So whenever there is a change of government, you will witness a case wherein almost all appointees are relieved to make way for a new crop of workers ill experience to steer the ship
In such circumstances you find a situation where in whatever amount of money spent to train these staff, it will mean nothing if the government of the day does not favor them.
A 63-year-old man would be nearing retirement or retired from active service by now which indicates that the individual would have achieved a lot through his or her career but when you look at Sierra Leone and compare her to a 63-year-old man you will not that it is just getting started.
As we celebrate these days, the question that keeps coming is if there is anything to celebrate as a country when those who labor for the development of the human race are treated as second class citizens, when the politician whose lifestyle changes as a result of the hard work of the poor taxpayer looks at the ordinary man as unserious.
The normal activities that usually characterized the country’s independence were cancelled to call for national prayers across the country. This brings us to the fact that the country is in serious crises needing divine intervention.
The problem Sierra Leone faces as a country are myriad and will continue to remain with the citizens as long as leaders see themselves as superiors to the citizens and the situation is just getting serious in a situation where political patronage is placed above qualification.
So that is why some citizens do believe that instead of celebrating, government should rather hold a conference of reflection where they along with opposition voices proffer workable solutions to the country’s numerous problems.
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