Impressive democratic credentials – Sierra Leone’s Head of State Ernest Koroma gives a master class in good governance
29th July 2010 · 1 Comment · By Ahmed M Kamara
The West African state of Sierra Leone has seen a dramatic upgrade of its stature around the world as a result of the democratic credentials of its Head of State. Three years ago, the country was still struggling to find its feet on the world’s political stage. It was viewed with apprehension as a country coming out of the ravages of war after decades of economic mismanagement of its abundant resources. At one point in its political history, Sierra Leone was the envy of Africa. The economy was stable and the currency was of equal value with the pound sterling. Inept and corrupt leaders squandered the state resources. An act that left the country on its knees and begging for survival.
Sierra Leone as a country has suffered in ways not even fully documented. Some of the atrocities that took place during the country’s 10-year civil war will make unpleasant reading for many. But it seems all that was not sufficient to instigate and employ a conscience politics approach to solving the country’s problem by those who have held the mantle of leadership in the past. History will surely not be kind to those who had the opportunity to turn the country’s fortunes around but failed miserably to do so.
But things have changed in Sierra Leone. Change that was brought about not only by necessity but by compassion and values upheld by its current leadership. The country’s political framework has shifted from one that didn’t know accountability as a standard in governance to one where foreign NGO’s have been invited to have a hands on as to how the country’s economy is managed. The country is now not only the recipient of direct financial assistance from major organisations like the UN; but that assistance has been dramatically raised as the world begins to recognise that the Head of State, Ernest Bai Koroma, is a man that they can not only do business with, but a man they can trust. Investors from Asia, the UK and US are queuing to engage the country’s potential and harness its productivity. An unprecedented investment in the country’s mining sector has taken off. Company’s like African Minerals, Anadarko, and London Mining have all shown faith in the new corrupt-free environment that the new Head of state is slowly implementing to restore the country’s dignity once more.
What is happening in Sierra Leone will define African politics for good. It is becoming apparent that the country will soon become a model state and a standard for many other African countries – as to how a country can recover from the worst political and economic circumstances. President Ernest Koroma has shown that it is possible for an African country to successfully challenge its economic and political difficulties and turn around its fortunes when prudence and good governance is employed. Africa’s problems are not insurmountable when leaders show compassion and commitment to their people’s plight. Yes the nature of the continent’s problems are complex, but when leaders are up to the task of freeing their people from the poverty-environment structure they find themselves after years of economic embezzlement, there is certainly a way to overcome such complexities as the international community will definitely assist any African government that endeavours to implement positive change that will bring results . Sierra Leone is enjoying the confidence of those who define global policy, as its leadership has not only earned the trust of the west, it has attracted a massive inflow of assistance from major world organisations.
The success of this small West African state did not come about by accident. What is being witnessed is the spurning of the vision of its president, Dr Ernest Bai Koroma, who on assuming office two and a half years ago made it his priority to run the country like a business. During the elections that brought him to power, he told the BBC correspondent in the country that he promised to run the country like a business. There were doubts then as to what he really meant. But one can now see clearly that running a country like a business means you are concerned about success, and you recognize that for your business to be successful, you have to be committed to managing its resources with a result-oriented approach. And that is exactly what President Koroma has done.
Sierra Leone is no more looked at as a failed state. The record of achievement of its current leadership is a testimony that the country is heading towards prosperity. Credit must be given to the (DFID), the British Department for international development, for standing by Sierra Leone during its most difficult times. The United Nations have played a significant role in the country’s rehabilitation. Along with the European Union, the World Bank and the IMF, the UN has embarked on restructuring and redesigning the country’s infrastructure and administrative machinery to ensure a more productive and efficient system. Former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair’s African Governance initiative is having a hands-on in the country’s development efforts as the country moves from one that is dependent on foreign aid for its sustenance, to one that cannot only feed itself but become a role-model for other African states.
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© 2010, Ahmed M Kamara. All rights reserved.
Tags: AGI, DFID, E.U., good governance, President Ernest Bai Koroma, Sierra Leone, U.N.
thanx for this detail information!