Commitments to Youth Empowerment: 25 Key Questions on the SLPP's 2018 Manifesto
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Commitments to Youth Empowerment: 25 Key Questions on the SLPP’s 2018 Manifesto
By the Sierra Leone Live Team
Welcome to our 25-question survey based on the ‘New Direction’ 2018 Manifesto of Sierra Leone’s SLPP. This survey is designed specifically to engage and empower you, the citizens of Sierra Leone, in assessing the performance of the government over the past five years. Each question focuses on a specific promise made in the 2018 Manifesto, focusing primarily on youth empowerment.
We encourage you to answer these “yes” or “no” type questions based on your knowledge and observation. Your active participation and informed responses will give us all a clearer understanding of the SLPP’s performance against its commitments.
Remember, your participation is not just about holding the government accountable; it’s also about being an active and informed participant in our democracy and shaping the future of our country.
Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)
Manifesto Quote: “The objective of TVET is to provide technical skills to youth in areas relevant to the job market as prescribed under the section on education and training.”
Was the objective of TVET achieved?
Were technical skills provided to the youth?
National Youth Scheme
Manifesto Quote: “Review the current design of the National Youth Service and support its implementation.”
Was the National Youth Service reviewed and supported?
Were internships promoted to enhance the capacity of graduates?
Was a public-private partnership promoted in the redesign and implementation of the scheme?
Economic Empowerment
Manifesto Quote: “Establish a special Youth Empowerment Fund to support youth engaged in small and medium scale entrepreneurial ventures.”
Was a special Youth Empowerment Fund established?
Were youth engagements in agriculture promoted through direct support?
Public Works
Manifesto Quote: “The SLPP Government will increase investment in housing and public works to create jobs for youth.”
Was there an increase in investment in housing and public works?
Were youth trained in using local materials and technology for housing construction?
Was a national programme for housing and urban renewal implemented?
Music and Performing Arts
Manifesto Quote: “Review and enforce the copyright laws.”
Were copyright laws reviewed and enforced?
Were standards for the promotion of music and performing arts established?
Were institutions and training at the vocational and university levels in music, film, and video production established?
Sports
Manifesto Quote: “The SLPP government will review the policy and legal environment for sports development.”
Was the policy and legal environment for sports development reviewed?
Was budgetary support for sporting activities increased?
Was a sports development fund established?
Was a comprehensive capacity-building programme for all sporting disciplines developed and implemented?
Were school and community sporting activities reactivated?
Was national competition for all sporting activities recommenced?
Were sports academies established and facilities for sports development and recreation provided around the country?
Were the administrative, technical, and support services for sports developed?
Were standard stadium facilities built in all regions and Western Rural?
Economy and Private Sector Development
Manifesto Quote: “Everything will be done to improve the competitiveness of the economy and create the enabling environment for the private sector to invest in the country and take part fully in its development.”
Were efforts made to improve the competitiveness of the economy?
Was an enabling environment created for the private sector to invest in the country?
Were initiatives undertaken to facilitate the full participation of the private sector in the country’s development?
We would like to express our deepest gratitude for your involvement in this important exercise. Your time, engagement, and thoughtful responses are valuable and appreciated. Together, we are working towards a better understanding of our government’s performance and fostering a stronger and more accountable democracy. Thank you for taking a step forward in shaping Sierra Leone’s future.
Developing Sierra Leone's Tourism Sector: A Comparative Analysis of the SLPP's 2018 Manifesto and Achievements
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Developing Sierra Leone’s Tourism Sector: A Comparative Analysis of the SLPP’s 2018 Manifesto and Achievements
By the Sierra Leone Live Team
Welcome to our comprehensive comparison and analysis of the efforts made towards developing the Tourism Sector in Sierra Leone. Over the past five years, the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) has been committed to implementing the tourism policies outlined in their 2018 ‘New Direction’ manifesto. This critical analysis aims to evaluate the SLPP’s progress toward achieving its stated objectives in the tourism sector.
To further enrich this discussion and promote civic engagement, Sierra Leone Live has prepared a set of 25 questions related to this analysis. We encourage every citizen to take part and use these questions as a guide to evaluate whether the SLPP has met its 2018 manifesto targets. By exploring these questions, we hope to ignite a dialogue about the advancements in tourism and the areas that may need further attention and improvement.
Improving Policy and the Legal Environment
In the Manifesto:
The SLPP aimed to review and upgrade all tourism-related laws, regulations, and policies for consistency with global best practices.
They planned to create a master plan for the tourism sector and establish a Tourism Information Register (TIR).
Achievements:
The National Heritage Bill was passed, which establishes a commission aimed at enhancing artists and musicians’ participation in the Sierra Leone economy, thus suggesting the review and upgrade of tourism-related laws.
SLPP drafted a New Tourism and Wildlife Policy, which aligns with the manifesto’s goal of a master plan for the tourism sector.
A tourism information office was established in Freetown, which may be a partial fulfillment of the Tourism Information Register plan. However, this isn’t clear and may require further inquiry.
Rehabilitating and Developing Historic and Cultural Sites
In the Manifesto:
SLPP intended to prepare a rehabilitation plan for all strategic historic sites in Sierra Leone and establish public-private partnerships to manage these sites.
Achievements:
The National Heritage Bill indicates the intention to protect, preserve, and restore cultural heritage sites and historic buildings. However, there’s no explicit mention of public-private partnerships or comprehensive rehabilitation plans.
Developing Infrastructure
In the Manifesto:
The SLPP planned to designate tourist attraction areas and provide necessary infrastructure such as water, electricity, and communications.
They also proposed developing tourist infrastructure like beach resorts, eco-villages, and research camps.
They intended to facilitate the construction of a toll bridge to link Freetown and Lungi Airport.
Achievements:
A jetty was constructed on Bunce Island, contributing to tourism infrastructure development.
Parliament ratified an agreement to establish a significant tourist destination in the Western Area, demonstrating progress toward designating tourist attraction areas.
However, there is no explicit mention of providing utilities, other infrastructure, or the Freetown-Lungi Airport toll bridge.
Promoting Marketing and Improve the International Image of Sierra Leone
In the Manifesto:
The party proposed developing an improved web portal for tourism promotions, participating in international tourist activities, and collaborating with embassies and missions to showcase the tourist potential of Sierra Leone to the outside world.
They also planned to contract an international PR firm to promote Sierra Leone’s international image and showcase its tourist potential.
Achievements:
Sierra Leone’s image was rebranded, which increased the number of tourists, especially among African Americans retracing their roots.
The successful hosting of the Budapest-Bamako Freetown Finish event helped increase international tourism. However, there’s no mention of an improved web portal or collaborating with embassies or missions.
Developing Skills in Tourism
In the Manifesto:
The SLPP aimed to conduct a Skills Audit of the Tourism Sector, prepare a Manpower Development Plan, upgrade the existing school for hotel management and tourism, introduce higher education programmes for tourism, and promote a public-private partnership for tourism training.
Achievements:
SLPP did not explicitly address this area in the achievement report.
Diversifying Tourism Products
In the Manifesto:
The party planned to promote adventure tours and support local entrepreneurs in tourism-based activities linking rural economies, harvest seasons, wildlife, farming practices, art, culture, and religions.
Achievements:
A New Tourism and Wildlife Policy was drafted to maximize the benefits of unique and interesting wildlife for tourism promotion, which partially aligns with the aim of diversifying tourism products.
There is no explicit mention of supporting local entrepreneurs in tourism-based activities or promoting adventure tours.
The SLPP appears to have made progress in areas outlined in its manifesto, such as improving the policy and legal environment, developing infrastructure, promoting and improving Sierra Leone’s international image, and partially diversifying tourism products. However, it’s not clear if all the objectives were fully achieved, especially in areas like developing skills in tourism, complete rehabilitation and development of historic sites, and specific infrastructure goals such as the toll bridge to link Freetown and Lungi Airport.
Thank you for taking the time to examine our analysis and comparison of the tourism sector’s development based on the SLPP’s 2018 manifesto and their achievements over the past five years. We appreciate your engagement and commitment to staying informed about the progress and direction of our country.
Your voice and opinion matter in shaping the future of Sierra Leone. We invite you to continue this discussion by looking into the survey we have provided in a separate post. We designed these questions to help you delve deeper into the topic and decide whether the SLPP met its 2018 manifesto targets. Your insights and thoughts are vital in this democratic process, and we look forward to your active participation.
25 Critical Questions on the Development of the Tourism Sector as Per the SLPP's 2018 Manifesto
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25 Critical Questions on the Development of the Tourism Sector as Per the SLPP’s 2018 Manifesto
By the Sierra Leone Live Team
We welcome you to an important civic exercise. The growth and development of Sierra Leone’s tourism sector are significant components of our nation’s prosperity. In 2018, the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) outlined their vision for the sector in their ‘New Direction’ manifesto. Today, we have compiled a set of 25 questions designed to provide a thorough assessment of the progress made in achieving these outlined objectives.
These questions, framed around the specific policy actions outlined in the manifesto, offer a unique opportunity for you, the citizens of Sierra Leone, to evaluate the performance of the SLPP. They are categorised into key areas such as Improving Policy and Legal Environment, Developing Historic Sites, Developing Infrastructure, Marketing Promotion and Image Improvement, Skills Development and Diversification of Tourism Product.
As you answer these “yes” or “no” questions, consider the extent to which each of these policy actions has been fulfilled based on your experiences and observations. This process isn’t just about accountability; it’s about shaping a shared vision for our nation’s future.
 Improving Policy and the Legal Environment
Manifesto Quote: “Review and upgrade all tourism-related laws, regulations, and policies to ensure consistency with regional and global best practices.”
Were all tourism-related laws, regulations, and policies reviewed and upgraded?
Was a master plan developed for the tourism sector in line with the revised laws and policies?
Was a Tourism Information Register (TIR) established?
Rehabilitating and Developing Historic and Cultural Sites
Manifesto Quote: “Prepare a rehabilitation plan for all strategic historic sites in Sierra Leone.”
Was a comprehensive rehabilitation plan prepared for all strategic historic sites in Sierra Leone?
Were public-private partnerships established to manage historic sites?
Developing Infrastructure
Manifesto Quote: “Designate tourist attraction areas and provide them with the needed infrastructure, including water, electricity, and communications.”
Were tourist attraction areas designated and provided with the needed infrastructure?
Were specific tourist infrastructures such as beach resorts, eco villages, and research camps developed?
Was the construction of a toll bridge facilitated to link Freetown and Lungi Airport?
Promoting Marketing and Improving International Image
Manifesto Quote: “Develop an improved web portal for tourism promotions.”
Was an improved web portal developed for tourism promotion?
Were international tourist activities participated in by Sierra Leone?
Were collaborations established with embassies and missions to showcase the tourist potential of Sierra Leone in the outside world?
Was an international PR firm contracted to promote the international image and showcase the tourist potential of Sierra Leone?
Developing Skills in Tourism
Manifesto Quote: “Conduct a Skills Audit of the Tourism Sector.”
Was a skills audit of the tourism sector conducted?
Was a manpower development plan prepared for the tourism sector?
Was the existing school for hotel management and tourism upgraded in terms of materials, equipment, and staffing?
Were higher education programmes for tourism introduced?
Was a public-private partnership promoted for tourism training?
Diversifying Tourism Products
Manifesto Quote: “Promote adventure tours such as safaris, jungle tours, and mountain trekking.”
Were adventure tours such as safaris, jungle tours, and mountain trekking promoted?
Was support extended to local entrepreneurs to promote tourism-based activities linked to the rural economy?
Was tourism linked with harvest seasons, wildlife, farming practices, art, culture, and religions?
Was local art promoted as a tourism product?
Were local farming practices highlighted in tourism efforts?
Were efforts made to promote local culture and religion in the tourism sector?
Was wildlife leveraged effectively for tourism?
Were local entrepreneurs supported in their tourism ventures?
These questions provide a comprehensive review of the SLPP’s commitments in their 2018 manifesto and to help the citizens of Sierra Leone assess the progress made.
We want to express our deepest gratitude for your involvement in this exercise. Your participation is vital to our shared democratic process and reflects the strength of our collective commitment to Sierra Leone’s growth and development. By engaging in this evaluation, you contribute significantly to our ongoing conversation about the future of tourism in Sierra Leone. Your voice, your perspective, and your insights truly matter. Thank you for taking the time to engage with these questions and for your continued commitment to our country.
Improving Health Care, 2018-2023: A Comparative Report on the SLPP's 2018 Manifesto Commitments and Achievements
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Improving Health Care, 2018-2023: A Comparative Report on the SLPP’s 2018 Manifesto Commitments and Achievements
By the Sierra Leone Live Team
In a vibrant democratic society like ours, one of the core functions of informed citizenship is to scrutinize and assess the performance of the government against the promises it made during the election. This exercise serves to hold our elected representatives accountable for their words and actions. Today, we embark on this crucial exercise by comparing the stated goals of the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) in its 2018 New Direction manifesto with its achievements after five years in office, focusing specifically on the health sector.
Healthcare is a sector of immense importance to the well-being and prosperity of Sierra Leone. Given its significance, it is vital to review and analyze the steps our government has taken to improve health services across the country, as outlined in their 2018 manifesto, and whether they have successfully delivered on these commitments.
Sierra Leone Live will supplement this analysis with 25 specific questions designed to facilitate a deeper understanding and provoke thought and conversation about these issues. It is our belief that these questions will empower you, the citizens of Sierra Leone, to form an informed perspective on the progress made by the SLPP in healthcare improvement.
Health Governance:
2018 Manifesto: The manifesto highlighted many governance improvements, such as strengthening health planning, introducing a new National Health Policy, promoting public-private partnerships, and improving data collection.
Achievements: There are no direct mentions of improvements in health governance. Progress in this area is not directly reported in the 5-year achievement document.
Health Financing:
2018 Manifesto: A goal was to increase the health budget to 15% and to establish a National Health Insurance Scheme.
Achievements: The budgetary allocation to healthcare increased from 6% to 11.6%, which falls short of the 15% goal.There’s no mention of the National Health Insurance Scheme.
Human Resource Management:
2018 Manifesto: The manifesto proposed strengthening human resource management, improving health workers’ conditions, and offering special incentives for medical doctors in remote areas.
Achievements: The achievements show that 5,000 staff and 8,700 community health workers were trained and posted, and 21 medical doctors received specialized training.However, there’s no specific reference to improving conditions for health workers or incentives for those in remote areas.
Free Health Care:
2018 Manifesto: The goal was to expand free health care to cover school-going children and legislate this program.
Achievements: The achievements do not directly mention an expansion of free health care or legislation related to it.
Disease Prevention, Control, and Surveillance:
2018 Manifesto: There were plans for improving waste management, promoting hygienic practices, and developing better diagnostics and treatment facilities.
Achievements: Achievements include cervical cancer screening at eight facilities and the vaccination of 183,000 girls with the HPV vaccine, alongside a 70% COVID-19 vaccination rate.However, there’s no mention of waste management or introducing hygienic practices.
Service Delivery:
2018 Manifesto: The manifesto planned to increase the number of health facilities, introduce a National Ambulance Service, establish blood transfusion units in all district hospitals, and develop mental health facilities.
Achievements: The achievements report shows that the number of health facilities increased from 1,397 to 1,569. There were hospital-on-wheels services for over 20,000 patients, 220 solar refrigeration units for vaccine storage, and four dialysis stations established.However, there’s no mention of a National Ambulance Service, increased blood transfusion units, or the development of mental health facilities.
Overall, the 5-year achievements show progress in several areas outlined in the New Direction 2018 Manifesto, particularly regarding infrastructure development and human resource training. However, several key areas mentioned in the manifesto, such as increasing budget allocation to 15%, improving health governance, and expanding free healthcare services, don’t appear to have been fully addressed based on the achievements listed.
Thank you for taking the time to review this analysis and comparison of the SLPP’s 2018 manifesto commitments with the achievements reported in five years. We believe informed citizens like you are the bedrock of our democracy. Your efforts to understand and evaluate the performance of the government play a crucial role in maintaining accountability and promoting transparency.
Please remember to refer to the separate post for the accompanying survey. We encourage you to take part and contribute to this important dialogue. Your voice matters, and we hope this analysis will provide you with the information necessary to form an informed opinion about the progress and performance of the SLPP. Together, we can ensure a vibrant and accountable democracy that delivers on its promises to its citizens.
Exploring Progress: 25 Key Questions Assessing the SLPP's Performance in Improving Health Care Since the 2018 Manifesto
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Exploring Progress: 25 Key Questions Assessing the SLPP’s Performance in Improving Health Care Since the 2018 Manifesto
By the Sierra Leone Live Team
Greetings to the citizens of Sierra Leone!
Your participation and active involvement in the transformation of the health sector are paramount. As per the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP’s) 2018 New Direction Manifesto, a series of commitments were made to enhance the healthcare services in our country. Today, we present a series of questions based on the manifesto’s pledges, aiming to objectively assess how well these promises have been delivered. These questions are specifically designed to help us better understand the progress made toward achieving the strategic objectives outlined in the manifesto.
The following 25 questions cover six crucial areas: – Health Governance, Health Financing, Human Resource Management, Expanding and Improving Free Health Care Management, Disease Prevention, Control and Surveillance, and Service Delivery. Each question corresponds to a commitment made in the manifesto, and your response will help to analyze the progress made.
We request that you kindly take some time to respond to these questions with a simple “yes” or “no.”. Your responses will aid in creating a constructive dialogue around healthcare improvement in Sierra Leone, and collectively, we can strive toward a healthier future for all.
Health Governance
Manifesto Quote: “The New Direction’s strategic objective in the health sector is to transform the under-resourced, ill-equipped, dysfunctional, and inadequate health infrastructure and healthcare delivery system to make them high-quality, efficient, reliable, cost-effective, affordable, and sustainable, capable of responding to epidemics such as cholera and Ebola virus disease.”
Questions:
Was the capacity for health planning, management, monitoring, and coordination enhanced?
Was a new National Health Policy and Action Plan developed?
Was a robust policy and legal framework for Public-Private-Partnership in the health sector developed?
Was a new NGO/donor coordination policy developed?
Was a blood bank policy implemented to ensure that blood is available in facilities at critical moments?
Were laws and policies relating to regulatory bodies reviewed and made more functional?
Was the Health Management and Information System (HMIS) strengthened to support informed strategic decision-making?
Health Financing
Manifesto Quote: “Increase budgetary allocation to health and sanitation from its current level of less than 10% to 15% and ensure timely disbursement of allocated resources.”
Questions:
Was the budgetary allocation to health and sanitation increased to 15% as required by the Abuja Declaration?
Was the National Health Insurance Scheme reviewed and implemented to provide universal access to health care?
Were interventions by the government and donors, including NGOs, better coordinated?
Was the management of all resources allocated to the health sector strengthened?
Human Resource Management
Manifesto Quote: “Improve on the conditions of health workers for all categories to attract and retain them.”
Questions:
Was the Health Service Commission made functional and a comprehensive Human Development Plan developed?
Were the conditions of health workers in all categories improved?
Expanding and Improving Free Health Care Management
Manifesto Quote: “Expand coverage for free health care to cover not only children under five years, pregnant women and lactating mothers but to include all school going children.”
Questions:
Was the coverage for free health care expanded to include all school-going children?
Was the free health care program legislated?
Were national, district, and community-based monitoring of free healthcare drugs and services strengthened?
Disease Prevention, Control, and Surveillance
Manifesto Quote: “Improve waste management in growing urban communities.”
Questions:
Were measures taken to improve waste management in urban communities?
Were campaigns against diseases intensified and hygienic practices promoted?
Were maternal and child immunisation programs scaled up and sustained?
Service Delivery
Manifesto Quote: “Increase the number of health facilities to ensure that every citizen can access health facilities within 3 mile radius.”
Questions:
Was the number of health facilities increased to ensure every citizen can access health care within a 3-mile radius?
Was a National Ambulance Service introduced?
Were blood transfusion units established in all district hospitals?
Was a National Tele-medicine Programme introduced?
Was a flagship programme for sexual and reproductive health for adolescents launched to reduce teenage pregnancy and maternal mortality?
Were modern Infectious and Tropical Disease Control Centres established in Freetown and in the regional capitals?
Thank you so much for your time and involvement. We deeply appreciate your willingness to take part in this critical assessment. Your responses will contribute significantly to our understanding of the healthcare situation in Sierra Leone and will help guide the way forward. Together, we can ensure that our healthcare system serves us better and creates a healthier Sierra Leone for us all. Your voice matters; thank you for making it heard.
25 Pertinent Questions on the SLPP's 2018 Manifesto Pledges for Improving the Management of Mineral Resources
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25 Pertinent Questions on the SLPP’s 2018 Manifesto Pledges for Improving the Management of Mineral Resources
Dear Citizens of Sierra Leone:
As active members of our society, your opinion and your voice are essential in shaping the future of our nation. We’re reaching out to you today with a set of 25 questions that revolve around an essential subject of our national interest: Improving the Management of Mineral Resources.
The Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) outlined a detailed strategy for reforming this vital sector in their “New Direction 2018 Manifesto.” Now, five years later, it is time for us, as the people of Sierra Leone, to evaluate the extent to which they fulfilled these promises.
The questions, divided into distinct categories, will require just a simple “yes” or “no” response. We designed them to be concise and straightforward, focusing on the key points made in the 2018 manifesto. We hope these questions will aid in gaining a clearer understanding of how well the promises align with the realities of the past five years.
Your answers are extremely valuable. They will not only offer insights into the performance of our leaders but also serve as a guide for future actions. Remember, your participation directly contributes to our shared aim of enhancing transparency, accountability, and progress in our beloved nation.
 Legal and Policy Framework
Manifesto Quote: “Review the Mines and Minerals Act 2009 to realign with the Mining Policy and be consistent with international best practices.”
Was the Mines and Minerals Act 2009 reviewed and realigned with the Mining Policy?
Were the revisions to the Mines and Minerals Act of 2009 consistent with international best practices?
Natural Resources Management
Manifesto Quote: “Review the relevant law to allow for the establishment of a Natural Resources Account for all revenues generated from extractives.”
Was the relevant law reviewed to allow for the establishment of a Natural Resources Account for revenues from extractives?
Revenue Decentralization
Manifesto Quote: “Decentralize the mining revenue collection and utilization in line with the increased national decentralization programme under the New Direction.”
Was mining revenue collection and utilization decentralized?
National Minerals Agency
Manifesto Quote: “Strengthen the National Minerals Agency (NMA).”
Was the National Minerals Agency (NMA) strengthened?
Revenue Allocation
Manifesto Quote: “Allocate percentages of revenue from the mining sector to education, health, and the general development of mining communities.”
Were percentages of revenue from the mining sector allocated to education?
Were percentages of revenue from the mining sector allocated to health?
Were percentages of revenue from the mining sector allocated to the general development of mining communities?
Transparency
Manifesto Quote: “Ensure full transparency in the sector through complying with the EITI standards, make all contracts public, and provide updated and validated information on tax and other contributions from the mining sector to the government.”
Was full transparency ensured in the mining sector?
Were all contracts in the sector made public?
Were updated and validated information on tax and other contributions from the mining sector provided to the government?
Local Procurement
Manifesto Quote: “Require mining companies to increase procurement of goods and services from Sierra Leone to strengthen trickle-down effects from the mining sector.”
Were mining companies required to increase their procurement of goods and services from Sierra Leone?
Fair Transactions
Manifesto Quote: “Require transactions between mining companies and their affiliates to be made upon arms-length terms (including pricing), and requiring such transactions to be accompanied by contemporaneous documentation. The government should have the right to review the terms of all such transactions.”
Were transactions between mining companies and their affiliates made on arms-length terms?
Were contemporaneous documents required to be present with such transactions?
Was the government granted the right to review the terms of all such transactions?
Taxation
Manifesto Quote: “Discourage advance taxation except under exceptional circumstances. In such cases, this will be made public and will be within the framework of the national budget.”
Was advance taxation discouraged except under exceptional circumstances?
Were such cases made public within the framework of the national budget?
Employment and Training
Manifesto Quote: “Ensure that companies provide meaningful employment for Sierra Leoneans, especially in management positions, and carry out requisite training.”
Were companies required to provide meaningful employment for Sierra Leoneans?
Were companies required to carry out the requisite training?
Value Addition
Manifesto Quote: “Put in place policies and mechanisms to support value additions to our mineral resources with a view to generating jobs and additional income to Sierra Leoneans.”
Were policies and mechanisms put in place to support value additions to mineral resources?
Local Content Policy
Manifesto Quote: “Ensure that all mining companies comply with the local content policy.”
Were all mining companies required to comply with the local content policy?
In conclusion, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to each of you for taking the time to take part in this important exercise. Your willingness to get involved and your invaluable input reaffirm the strength of our democracy.
We appreciate your active engagement in this process. Your voice and your perspective matter as we strive to improve our shared future. Thank you once again for your participation, and here’s to a brighter Sierra Leone, fostered through collective responsibility and action.
We eagerly await your responses and look forward to the insightful discussions they will generate.
Management of Mineral Resources: Evaluating Progress as Per the 2018 SLPP Manifesto
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Management of Mineral Resources: Evaluating Progress as Per the 2018 SLPP Manifesto
By the Sierra Leone Live Team
In the ever-evolving realm of political stewardship, it is of utmost importance to evaluate the strides taken by our leaders in meeting the promises they set out to achieve. A key component of such an analysis in our nation pertains to the crucial sector of Mineral Resources Management.
In 2018, the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) laid out a detailed plan in their manifesto titled “New Direction.” This blueprint sets the course for reforming and enhancing the management of our mineral resources to foster socio-economic development. Now, after five years, it’s crucial that we assess the progress made against the goals that were set.
Sierra Leone Live is committed to providing a comprehensive, fact-based analysis of the SLPP’s achievements vis-Ã -vis the 2018 manifesto’s targets. In this context, we have prepared a detailed comparative study of the stated goals and the documented accomplishments in the realm of Mineral Resources Management.
To facilitate an even more interactive and engaging analysis, Sierra Leone Live will also provide a set of 25 carefully crafted questions. These questions will serve as a guide to help you, the citizens, decide whether the SLPP met its 2018 manifesto targets. Your responses will add significant value to the discussion and lead us toward a more informed consensus.
Review the Mines and Minerals Act 2009 to realign with the Mining Policy and be consistent with international best practices. The achievement document mentions that the 2009 Mines and Minerals Act was reviewed and a new act, the Mines and Mineral Development Act of 2022, was enacted. This shows that the SLPP fulfilled its manifesto promise to review the legislation.
Review the relevant law to allow for the establishment of a Natural Resources Account for all revenues generated from extractives. There is no specific mention of a Natural Resources Account in the achievements document, so it’s unclear if this goal has been accomplished.
Decentralize mining revenue collection and utilization in line with the increased national decentralization programme under the New Direction. Introducing a royalty to district mining development funds and the DACDF shows decentralizing mining revenues, which aligns with this manifesto promise.
Strengthen the National Minerals Agency (NMA). This point is not directly addressed in the achievements document, making it unclear whether the NMA was strengthened, as per the manifesto.
Allocate percentages of revenue from the mining sector to education, health, and the general development of mining communities. There’s no direct mention of funds allocated to education, health, or the general development of mining communities. The document mentions allocations to district mining development funds and the DACDF, but it doesn’t specify the sectors these funds support.
Ensure full transparency in the sector through complying with the EITI standards, make all contracts public, and provide updated and validated information on tax and other contributions from the mining sector to the government. According to the achievements document, the SLPP government has complied with EITI standards and has introduced tools like the MCAS and the GoSL Online Repository to improve financial transparency, which aligns with this manifesto point.
Require mining companies to increase procurement of goods and services from Sierra Leone to strengthen trickle-down effects from the mining sector. This point is not directly addressed in the achievements document.
Require transactions between mining companies and their affiliates to be made upon arms-length terms (including pricing). There’s no direct evidence in the achievements document that this point has been addressed.
Discourage advance taxation except under exceptional circumstances. They do not address this point in the achievements document.
Ensure that companies provide meaningful employment for Sierra Leoneans, especially in management positions, and carry out requisite training. The total number of mining sector jobs has increased by 73%, and over 200 Engineering and Geology graduates were supported with advanced training, showing progress in this area.
Put in place policies and mechanisms to support value additions to our mineral resources. There’s no explicit mention of value additions in the achievements document.
Ensure that all mining companies comply with the local content policy. While this point is not addressed directly, the increase in large and small-scale mining companies may suggest some level of local content policy compliance.
Enforce corporate social responsibility in all mining activities. This point is not directly addressed in the achievements document.
While some significant strides seem to have been made to the mining sector policy and legislation, transparency, and job creation, there are several areas where the achievements document doesn’t provide explicit information to confirm if the goals outlined in the 2018 manifesto have been met. It would require further information or data to complete a comprehensive comparison.
As stewards of our beloved Sierra Leone, our collective efforts in examining our leaders’ accomplishments will only strengthen our nation’s democratic foundation. A vibrant democracy thrives on the active participation of its citizens, and your input is invaluable in this process.
Thank you for taking the time to delve into this critical analysis and for contributing to our national discourse. Your contribution will not only help us understand the current state of affairs better but also shape the path for the future.
Please note that the survey, comprising the aforementioned 25 questions, will be provided in a separate post. We eagerly look forward to your insightful responses, as we all continue to work together for a better and brighter Sierra Leone.
Thank you once again, and may we continue to seek, together, the prosperity of our nation.
APC LEADERSHIP SUCCESSION: A POLITICAL RISK SCENARIO
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APC LEADERSHIP SUCCESSION: A POLITICAL RISK SCENARIO
By Mahmud Tim Kargbo
Potentially, stakeholders in Sierra Leone active in one of the biggest political parties ruled by an authoritarian ruler like former President Ernest Bai Koroma should gain a thorough understanding of potential “succession dilemmas” in order to be geared up to react to a variety of political risk scenarios that could affect their interests.
This article explores why former President Koroma’s regime type continues to make the All People’s Congress political party more exposed to succession risks and lines out the continuous negative impact that succession struggles may have on the All People’s Congress with Ernest Bai Koroma orchestrating the actions behind the scenes.
The former APC-led government of President Koroma is one political party where succession issues have been venomous and continue to pose a serious political risk soon, just as they did during his era. The country’s importance derives from its wealth in natural resources, notably iron ore, diamonds, gold, rutile, timber, bauxite, titanium, ilmenite, and recently oil and gas, etc., and its critical financial role in the West’s engagement in supporting regimes that are making it easy for them to loot our wealth successfully in collaboration with rogue rulers.
Ernest Bai Koroma is still playing politics as a one-man show.
For ten years and two weeks, Ernest Bai Koroma firmly ruled Sierra Leone in an authoritarian manner by narrowing the political landscape and making himself bigger.
The history of the “After You, Na You,” “More Time,” and “Chairman and Leader for Life” campaigns clearly exemplified the political risks that succession issues in fake democratic systems might entail. Already in 2015, then-President Koroma, through his irresponsible APC Youth Wing, attempted to extend his democratic mandate and thus contributed to a hostile climate in the country. Later, his handpicked successor, Mr. Samura Mathew Wilson Kamara, faced a violent internal uprising caused by popular discontent because of nepotism and corruption and was successfully sabotaged by former President Koroma himself as he ensured all critical political players within the party that had the knowledge and experience required for the APC’s victory in the 2018 general elections were fired or sidelined before and during the campaign process.
Fast forward to the 2023 presidential elections, and Ernest Bai Koroma again repeated his past actions and reimposed his 2018 presidential flagship aspirant as the APC presidential flagship aspirant. This time he did so after allowing his preferred presidential flagship aspirant to campaign throughout the country for five years, despite a press release from his party that restricted all interested party members eying for the All People’s Congress presidential flagship aspirant position to stop their campaigns until the party gets a presidential flagship aspirant in their convention. This means Ernest Bai Koroma’s preferred presidential flagship aspirant was given an unmerited political advantage to campaign, while others eying for the same position strictly could not engage in any political activities to sell their mandate within and beyond their party.
If we are to understand the implications of the succession issue for the political future of our country, it is crucial to look at what really characterises Ernest Bai Koroma’s regime type, namely authoritarian power mechanisms. Despite some formal legal, rational, and bureaucratic structures, all power was and still is derived directly from former President Koroma.
This is a political ruler who earned his legitimacy not from ideology and even less from democratic processes, but from a patriarchic cult of personality and effective patronage networks. In his patronage networks, then President Koroma exercised power by appointing people close to him, family and friends, to official positions in key ministries, state companies, agencies, or sovereign wealth funds, typically surrounding the rutile, discovered oil, diamond, iron ore, or bauxite industries, which they then used to advance his interests at the expense of the nation. Nepotism, corruption, sycophancy, bootlicking, and massive poverty were pervasive in his regime.
In exchange, privileged elite groupings supported his presidency, often by securing votes in their constituency as foundations and support groups and opposing anyone who threatened the president’s authority. Administrative and economic structures were built on the loyalty and dependencies of personal networks woven around former President Koroma.
As the contraption ruler, he used greed and rivalry within the elites to play different groups off against each other to strengthen his own position.
Former President Koroma was a proven master of balancing the interests of different elite groups in the country. The balance of power within his regime was extremely precarious, given that it hinged on the vitality and survival of a single ruler. This continues to make the question of succession to the then-autocratic ruler in his pseudo-democratic regime such a fundamental issue.
With no democratic institutions and established rules in place to secure a transparent and accountable transition of power from one elected government leader to the next, the risk of violent revolution or elite power struggles was always present in his pseudo-democratic regime.
THE APC “SUCCESSION DILEMMA”
Former President Koroma, as an authoritarian leader, was to a certain extent aware that his way of ruling within the APC Party and the country at large was based on favours and fear and that when fear is gone, there might be repercussions. Today, many believe one important goal for him was to secure favourable terms for himself and his relatives.
A very obvious succession strategy was the clear designation of a hand-picked successor by himself, which he repeated in the 2023 general elections. But others are saying this is not a very popular strategy either. So he allegedly made a safe deal with the then-main opposition SLPP Party leader.
One reason for the then-President’s reluctance to ensure his party succeeded him in governance might be what Robbins Burling called the “succession dilemma” in his 1974 book Passage of Power.
According to this concept, an authoritarian ruler will be reluctant to nominate a successor while he is still fit enough to rule because if he does, this would weaken his own position.
Elites would start responding to the second man, anticipating the imminent end of the incumbent. Political enemies of the incumbent would rally around the second in command, hoping to oust the former.
The leader in waiting might see his chance come to shorten the wait.
APC ELITES NEGOTIATIONS AND INFIGHTING
It is always the case that when an autocratic president leaves the stage and there is no clearly designated successor or the incumbent picks someone who is unacceptable to powerful forces within the elites, particularly if they believe that the new leader will not honour the established patronage arrangements, there will be negotiations about a successor between the different elite groupings.
In these negotiations, elite factions rally around potential successors, hoping to end up on the winning side. Negotiations can appear to be successful openly, but inwardly they are not, and they gave clean opportunities for the very deceitful and autocratic former President Koroma to succeed in his dangerous mission of dishonesty against political party comrades.
Sometimes, however, existing political cleavages between elite groups bear the risk of future infighting.
In the APC currently, the cleavage runs right between the family and friends of former President Koroma.
A faction of the rogue beneficiaries from the most important elite faction within the APC family surrounding Ernest Bai Koroma’s deceitful actions, others, mainly represent the new idea of reforming the party to meet the test of time, while long-time friends of Ernest Bai Koroma make up the old guard, mostly found in high administration offices during his corrupt regime.
The latter is supported by other groups, particularly the rationally minded youth and the oppressed majority during his regime, who favour genuine political party reforms from outside Ernest Bai Koroma and his family.
These two main elite factions have differing views on the APC’s future. While the business elite favours further economic and, hence, the political opening of the country to win genuine investors and move the country forward concretely, the old guard supports a more cautious approach.
Succession struggles threaten foreign stakeholders in two ways. Elite infighting after a ruler causes political volatility and unpredictability and bears the risk of violent clashes between the supporters of opposing factions.
Succession may cause new leadership that often goes hand in hand with a transformation of the overall elite structure. Foreign stakeholders must be careful not to become entangled in the succession struggle and be prepared to face a new leadership.
Stakeholders with a good relationship with the former ruler, for instance, or those suspected of having supported the losing side in the struggle, might be subject to reprisals.
A thorough analysis of our political landscape can help us make informed decisions based on various succession scenarios.
POLITICIANS SIERRA LEONEANS WANT PEACEFUL ELECTIONS
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POLITICIANS SIERRA LEONEANS WANT PEACEFUL ELECTIONS
By Mahmud Tim Kargbo
Foremost, God, our creator, is very interested in the welfare of his children. Our politicians must not pretend they have the people’s interests at heart more than the creator of the universe.
He says in Jeremiah 29:11: For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans of welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. (RVS)
Do you believe this? Well, that is reality. Let those aspiring for power and control get some new education. No political party or politician is worth dying for because the welfare, the future, and the hope of Sierra Leone ultimately do not lie in their hands but in the hands of God. They must realise that they’re only stewards or managers of the state’s resources.
Public office is not an avenue for theft and ill-gotten wealth creation, as some have shown in Sierra Leone. It’s about selfless service to your nation and people. It’s an oath you make to God and man to be upright and diligent in managing the resources efficiently and effectively for maximum national benefit. Understanding this basic spiritual principle is the most important foundation to lie on before embarking on seeking the mandate of the people through peaceful elections.
Why and how must we ensure peaceful elections?
We must ensure peaceful elections because peace is God’s idea and forms the basis for national development. Peace secures the future and destinies of nations. Peace builds unity and togetherness. The opposite is true. Disruptive elections destroy lives and properties. Disruptive elections impoverish not just a people but many generations to come. It leads to an uncertain future for children and youth. Trained and productive human capital is lost, and many more setbacks ensue.
How can we ensure peaceful elections?
Peaceful elections are not dependent on just one group alone working to ensure peace but on a multiplicity of bodies, structures, and individuals working diligently to ensure a peaceful process before, during, and after the elections. However, it will take the action or inaction of just one body, group, or individual to disrupt the elections.
To the politicians and their political parties
Election to public office should not be a do-or-die affair, nor is it about winning power at any cost. It is not about character assassination or inciting one group against another. It is not about using hate speech or indecent language. It is a battle of ideas. The battle of winning the hearts and minds of the electorate. The selling of genuine programmes and policies for bettering the lives of citizens.
Elections are about credibility, integrity, and trust in the candidates and teams with the requisite competencies to manage resources efficiently for most people. In ensuring peaceful elections, the conduct of politicians and party members is crucial to a successful election. Candidates declaring themselves winners before the official announcement by the electoral officer can be a dangerous path to take. The Ivory Coast is a good example of how entrenched positions taken by politicians after results are announced can plunge a beautiful country into anarchy. We believe our politicians have learned valuable lessons from the Ivory Coast.
For every competition, there are rules. Let those with the mandate of declaring results be the sole body to do so. Accept the results as announced; don’t make trouble because they’re not in your favour. This is where true leadership and respect for the rule of law come in. Opposing groups taking entrenched positions, especially the losing sides, do not augur well for national peace.
The Citizenry
This includes all legal members of the state. Registered voters, especially, must be responsible. We must obey the rules as they pertain to nationhood and elections. Voters must know all the processes involved in voting and all that is expected of them, checking and cross-checking for their vital personal information to ensure that everything has been captured.
Exercise your franchise, leave the scene peacefully, and go home to await the results later. Voting grounds are not the place for spreading rumour, campaigning, or arguing. When all comport themselves, a peaceful election is the ultimate result.
Observer Missions/Election Watchers
Observing the processes and reporting the facts is the purpose of this body. With a football game, we may describe them as the match commissioners. These officials watch every aspect of the game and submit a report to the proper authorities.
Some election watchers may have quite a lot of experience from other countries that they can bring to bear in elections. Their positive advice and direction can also help the overall electioneering process.
Ensuring peaceful elections is everyone’s business. The peace we all seek must be worked at carefully and diligently. The consequences of not having a peaceful election are very negative for Sierra Leone.
For individuals and parties seeking political leadership, elections are not a do-or-die affair. The nation needs to stay intact even after a very competitive process. The atmosphere will be competitive but must remain peaceful. Whether winners or non-winners, the nation remains one nation, one people, and one country with a common destiny.
Peace is possible when God and man work hand in hand.
25 Key Questions on Transforming Agriculture and Boosting Food Security; SLPP's 2018 Manifesto Promises
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25 Key Questions on Transforming Agriculture and Boosting Food Security; SLPP’s 2018 Manifesto Promises
By the Sierra Leone Live Team
Welcome to our in-depth comparison of Transforming Agriculture and Boosting Food Security. Following the SLPP’s 2018 manifesto, “New Direction,” Sierra Leone has been on a journey to improve agricultural practices and increase food security over the past five years. It is crucial for us as responsible citizens to evaluate how far we’ve come and whether the promises laid out in this roadmap have been met.
Sierra Leone Live has taken the initiative to aid this important reflection process. We will provide 25 key questions based on the manifesto’s objectives and the achievements reported over the past five years. These questions aim to stimulate thought, trigger conversations, and ultimately help you, the citizens of Sierra Leone, make an informed judgment on whether the SLPP has met its 2018 manifesto targets in the areas of agriculture and food security.
Increasing investment in agriculture:
Manifesto quote: “Increase budgetary allocation to the agriculture sector to 10% in line with the Maputo Accord.”
Was the budgetary allocation to the agriculture sector increased to 10%?
Were schemes implemented that compelled people seeking political office to invest in agriculture?
Were mining firms encouraged to invest in agriculture as part of their resettlement plans?
Were local banks incentivized to lend to the private sector for agricultural purposes?
Was the policy and legal framework on land tenure revisited to make agriculture attractive to foreign investors?
Increasing Food Crop Production
Manifesto quote: “Improve the seed bank system through rejuvenating the seed multiplication centres to attract reliable private sector players in seed multiplication.”
Was the seed bank system improved?
Was mechanized commercial farming developed and implemented?
Were non-traditional crops introduced to diversify crop production?
Was the input and output market system reviewed?
Were duty-free supports provided to local industries engaged in the fabrication of farm tools?
Increasing Cash Crop Production
Manifesto quote: “Adopt the use of improved varieties of cocoa, coffee, cashew, oil palm, and non-traditional cash crops.”
Were improved varieties of cash crops adopted?
Were cash crop cooperatives established and training provided for cash crop processing?
Was the capacity of the Standard Bureau upgraded to effectively monitor the quality of cash crops?
Increasing Livestock Production
Manifesto quote: “Revive livestock research stations, notably the Teko Livestock Research Centre and the Musaia Livestock Station.”
Were livestock research stations revived?
Were veterinary clinics reestablished in all districts?
Was support provided to establish and expand hatcheries?
Improving Water Management
Manifesto quote: “Develop productive in-land valley swamps (IVS) and waterways to increase productivity.”
Was a national soil conservation and management program developed?
Was a national irrigation and drainage program developed to reduce dependence on rain-fed agriculture?
Improving Land Management
Manifesto quote: “Improve mechanisms of land leases for bio-fuel for the benefit of food production with less or no social conflict.”
Were the mechanisms of land leases for biofuel improved?
Were clear policies and laws relating to the leasing of land developed?
Improving Governance and Research in the Agricultural Sector
Manifesto quote: “Develop a robust policy framework and action plan to guide the planning and development of the sector.”
Were a robust policy framework and action plan developed for the agricultural sector?
Was agricultural research promoted through the establishment and strengthening of research institutions?
Was the capacity of the Ministry of Agriculture at all levels strengthened?
Re-introduction of cooperatives Manifesto quote: “Re-introduction of co-operatives to improve value addition and marketing of food crops, cash crops, and livestock products.”
Were cooperatives reintroduced to improve value addition and marketing of agricultural products?
Were land agreements made public?
As we conclude this comparison, we want to express our gratitude for your interest and participation. Citizen engagement is vital to holding our government accountable, stimulating progress, and ensuring that Sierra Leone continues to thrive. We thank you for taking the time to critically evaluate our nation’s journey in transforming agriculture and boosting food security. Remember, every perspective counts, and your voice is a critical element of our national narrative. Thank you for being part of this survey and for your continued commitment to the betterment of our beloved Sierra Leone.
Take the Survey
https://sierraleonelive.com/survey/e424b0e4-6490-4dd2-a99c-8a95ddc4fc70/
