By Abubakarr Bah
President Ernest Bai Koroma on Thursday 18 October launched his “Agenda for Prosperity” manifesto at a ceremony at Goderich in the outskirts of Freetown.
The 64-page document highlights the “achievements” of his government and plans for the next five years if re-elected.
The President promises to bolster the economy, expand the distribution of energy, increase jobs and create opportunities for self-employment, improve agriculture and tourism, promote industry and trade, sustain the country’s natural resources, improve health and nutrition and empower women and youth, among others.
He said his government had succeeded with road infrastructure such as the dual carriage way in the West of Freetown and had built several roads in the east, south and north of the country.
The President said that he had implemented his Agenda for Change, and “..invited Sierra Leoneans from all shades, walk of life and regions to come with us to a brighter future.”
He said since he took over in 2007, the country had remained stable and the economy had continued “to show positive signs of growth” adding that his government had transformed Freetown which he said was once described as “the darkest city in Africa” to one that now enjoyed a good supply of electricity.
The president also said that his government succeeded in establishing the Youth Commission thus creating space for main-streaming into the governance and national development of the country, issues affecting the country’s young people.
He said his human rights record was second to none as there had been no executions, “no political prisoners [and] no imprisonment of journalists”.
Key highlights in the manifesto will be published in subsequent editions of Politico.
