By Saio Marrah
After 63 years of Sierra Leone’s independence and the country still struggling with economic growth and provision of basic services, citizens have called for changes in political and educational approach.
The call was made during a panel discussion organised by the Renaissance Movement that focused on the topic “63 years on: Delivering democracy and development- a conversation with Sierra Leoneans” that took place in Freetown on Friday 10th May 2024.
Panellists were drawn from educationalists, global political scientists, development and local political commentators. They had frank discussions on democratic governance system, challenges to service delivery, security and stability pathway to sustainable development, and the collective role of citizens to sustainable development, among others.
A Lecturer and Senior Administrator at the University of Sierra Leone, Fatmata Taqi (Ph.D) was among panellists that called for a change in the approaches to everything ranging from politics, economy and business.
She talked about how almost every student studying politics said they wish to take up politics as a career to make quick money, but pointed out that politics is to serve the citizenry and not otherwise.
Commenting on the economic status of the country, Dr. Taqi expressed her dissatisfaction about how the country still depends on international donors and loans. She said most times, our politicians celebrate with IMF and other financial institutions for approving loans for the country without trying to know the conditions attached.
Speaking on the way forward for economic growth, she said leaders have to set standards and hold to account those responsible for their wrongful act, saying familiarity should be set aside.
She pointed out that the more the loans by a country, the more crippling its economy becomes.
She also called on citizens to take ownership over national development and for citizens to know their responsibilities.
Another Panelist, Ms. Lena Thompson, called for more practical approach as against theory while commenting on economic growth and democratic dispensation in the country.
She also talked about how the country has what she described as dependency economy, relying on external institutions. According to her, the country would not improve when it depends on loans and donations.
While calling for change in the educational system, she said most of the graduands want white collar jobs. “The middle income jobs are there, but we don’t appreciate them,” she said.
She also noted that parents don’t want to see their children doing plumbing or carpentry.
According to Ms. Thompson, there has to be physiological mind set about “where we want to go, in the next 10 years about the political and economic mind set.”
She also pointed out that most Sierra Leoneans want to depend on government to provide all the jobs and that “our dependency on politicians make them to override us”.
She said most Sierra Leoneans do not vote rationally, but on mind set. To the politicians, she said they have been giving lip service to democracy instead of going into the crux of the matter.
A political commentator,Engineer Adrew Keili talked about how the country has not been able to benefit from the rich mineral resources it has, while foreigners have gained a lot from them.
He also noted that 63 years on, the country is still divided and for 16 years, the country is still struggling to change its constitution. He spoke of a mismatch in the private sector and huge youth unemployment as thousands of young people graduate every year from universities
According to him, the reason the country is still struggling with development is because it has failed in infrastructural development and proper management of natural resources. He said over 70 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is from mineral resources, but the country has not been able to gain much.
To him, politicians don’t go into contract for national interest, but for personal interest and political gains.
An Associate Professor of political science and global development, Zubairu Wai, through live streaming from Canada said people don’t care about the kind of government in power, but want to see a change in their living conditions, while making reference to China.
He said the fundamental issue with Sierra Leone’s development is that since independence, the political class remain the same and the same political system of either the All People’s Congress or the Sierra Leone People’s Party.
“We have to look at everything like the education, politics, etc..,”he said.
Professor Wai said there should be consideration about “what change you can bring, not what is in your head.”
He disagreed with Dr. Taqi’s argument that women should be given the chance to rule the country, and believes it should be about the most competent.
During the comments session from the audience, the issue of drawing a line between development and politics. Young people were also called upon stand up and play a great role and stop the wrongful acts.
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