RAINY SEASON OF DISCONTENT IN SALONE HEALTH SECTOR
Looks like we are settling into a very familiar pattern now with the attitude of our health workers. Every morning we wake up with noise about health workers going On strike in Kenema, next morning, health workers at King Harman Road hospital have taken to the streets and all that. It's all about money, money and allowance while the issue that should most concern them - protective clothing - is left in the backburner. We do not want to sound critical of our health care workers at a time like this - just as it is not good to criticise soldiers in time of war. But this is up to our necks.
Ok, we understand why such strikes are taking place but what are the rules about health workers going on strike, people? What are they?
With an overstretched health care delivery system, the last thing we want is for nurses, some of whom underperformed even in pre-Ebola days, to be bringing to a halt whatever is left of the system. Don't tell us such strikes don't lead to loss of life even among non-Ebola patients0.
We also plead with the authorities to make sure all health facilities receive allowances and equipment on time. Let's not give any excuses for such media-driven strikes. We thought medical workers were taught to serve humanity first before looking for rewards. Anyway!
THE WASTE LAND IN THE HEART OF FREETOWN CALLED VICTORIA PARK
Not too long ago we asked the Freetown City Council to write a letter to Her Majesty the Queen of the United Kingdom to beg for money to rebuild Victoria Park for obvious reasons. Yes, we became independent many years ago but come on, let's not be ashamed to ask for help from the Queen. Haven't we just gone back to ask for health workers in that country to help us fight Ebola? And didn't we also see British soldiers in action here to break the SOBEL siege on Freetown? So no stress!
Please understand our desperation. Normally, we should expect our elected City Council to prove themselves by taking care of that shame in the heart of our city but we have waited almost two years for Bababode to even say something about the mess left behind by his predecessor but he continues in office as if things are normal. Ahhh we know why - if his predecessor had been from the opposition you can bet!
Anyway, things are definitely not normal. The state of Victoria Park gives a clear picture of what local governance of Freetown looks like from the inside.
We don't know who's busy removing the corrugated iron sheets put around the park. Now everybody can see the disgrace. Are thieves having a field day out there?
We demand that an open meeting of the FCC be held at the Atlantic Hall of the national stadium so that as many Freetown people as possible can go there and ask very good questions not just about Victoria Park. There's a lot about Freetown to talk about. Direct Democracy, People! Direct Democracy.
We plead with Bababode to at least clean up the place and bring his own Morgan Heritage so that on Thursday evening, just before the lockdown, we shall converge there to celebrate with the NO camp in the Scottish referendum by singing Auld Lang Syne. We have to keep in touch with the Great country.
HOW CAN MACKINSTRY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONGO DISGRACE?
The usual knives in the football fraternity in Sierra Leone are out again. This time the man in their sights is Coach Johnny Mackinstry. They are asking for the guy to be sacked because of our very bad performances in the AFCON qualifiers so far. In the first place, we weren't terribly impressed with the decision to appoint the Irishman who came here to work with academy players at the Craig Bellamy Foundation. Maybe that was the best thing to do.
We believe he hasn't done very badly in the job but we know how football works in Salone. When managers are about to be sacked it starts as a rumour on some radio programme and on social network platforms and then a letter is issued. What is wrong with Mackinstry telling Gibrilla Woobay that he is not part of his plans? We are very surprised that Woobay is still there after all these years. Woobay was part of the Leone Stars team that gave Nigeria a bloody nose in Freetown. Finidi George and Kanu Nwankwo were part of that Nigerian team. They retired long ago.
Mackinstry may well be on his last legs as coach of Leone Stars but we believe he is a good man who should be given a bit more time. If he goes, however, Sierra Leone should consider the following people to replace him:
Steven Keshi - He is out of contract in Nigeria and has still not agreed a new one. He is a world class coach who will not come cheap. Even Nigeria is struggling to negotiate his pay. We don't know where his salary will come from.
Kwesi Appiah - The Ghanaian just lost his job and is keen to get a new one. There would be questions about his wage demands too but he is likely to settle for something less than what Keshi is asking for. Appiah needs to prove to his country that he is a star. Let's cash in now!
We can ask Commonwealth Marah for a supplementary budget. If that doesn't happen and we are not able to get those big money coaches, here are two guys we can get easily:
a. Jebbor Sherrington
b. Christian Cole
We are familiar with these guys and they wouldn't ask for too much money. We must also not expect too much. And that includes thinking about anything beyond participating in tournaments in the same way Abou Diaby performs as an Arsenal player.
The knives would quickly come out after a few matches and we will be back at square one. But we can try them. Meanwhile the leadership of the SLFA remains hotly disputed; and amid the idleness young people continue to watch the English Premier League and argue about the salary of James Rodriguez. Why on earth did Real Madrid buy that guy?
NO CONGREGATIONAL PRAYERS THIS WEEKEND
We've been inundated with calls and text messages from people complaining about the fact that the three-day Ebola lockdown has certainly locked down mosques, synagogues and churches for this week. We know that because we are religious people too - Fridays are for Muslims, Saturdays for Adventists and Sundays for other Christian groups.
We find it difficult to complain about this action because we have our minds set on the final goal. That final goal is the defeat of Ebola in Sierra Leone and West Africa. After that we can all return to mosques, synagogues and churches to pray a prayer of thanksgiving for God's mercies.
Some of those who called us suggested that the first three days of the lockdown would have been served well and we wouldn't have had cause to touch our days of worship. Good point but with all the stagnation caused by Ebola, any day without work and economic activity would spell more danger for our development, post-Ebola. Weekends are pretty barren in Sierra Leone, so that should explain why the Ebola committee chose the weekend. We are merely speculating here.
The lockdown is here so let's cooperate and get it over and done with. We shall be back to assess the results of the venture. Long live Sierra Leone.
(C) Politico 16/08/14
