Basic Needs Remain Unmet
Over six decades after gaining independence, many Sierra Leoneans continue to grapple with a profound sense of disillusionment regarding the state of governance and politics in the country. In private conversations and public forums alike, citizens frequently ask themselves: “What is the real purpose of politics or governance in Sierra Leone?”
The answer that often emerges in these reflections is simple, yet striking: the fundamental role of governance is to improve the lives of citizens through the implementation of sustainable social projects. These include enhancing the road network, providing quality healthcare services, ensuring food security, and guaranteeing access to clean water and energy. Yet, for many Sierra Leoneans, these basic needs remain unmet.
Despite the optimism that accompanied independence in 1961, there is a prevailing sentiment that the two major political parties that have governed since then have done little to address the key challenges facing the nation. Issues like poor road infrastructure, frequent energy shortages, poverty, hunger, and economic inequality persist, affecting millions of people, especially those in rural areas.
Frustration runs deep. Many citizens argue that they no longer have high expectations from politicians. All they seek is for their lives to improve, as they believe it is their fundamental right as citizens to benefit from the nation’s resources. However, they feel continuously let down, as successive governments have failed to deliver on their promises or implement long-lasting reforms that would uplift the people.
A common refrain among Sierra Leoneans is the recurring failure of politicians to honor their election manifestos. These manifestos, filled with lofty promises, often seem to evaporate once elections are over. Citizens, particularly those in neglected rural communities, say they feel abandoned once the campaign season ends.
One particularly poignant example is the case of the dilapidated Makama Road in the northern region of the country. The road, which serves as a vital artery to a regional hospital and the national social security and insurance entity, remains in terrible condition. Patients, including pregnant women and lactating mothers, are forced to navigate deep potholes and muddy, impassable sections of the road just to access basic healthcare services. This dangerous journey underscores the broader issue of inadequate infrastructure that plagues the country.
For countries with a genuine national development agenda, continuity—the completion of major social projects across successive governments—is a key principle. Yet, in Sierra Leone, many vital projects, like the reconstruction of Makama Road, remain unfinished, trapped in the web of political inaction and short-termism.
The failure of Sierra Leonean politicians to address the country’s core developmental needs has fostered a climate of deep political and social division. Citizens like Abass, a vocal critic of the current state of affairs, have observed that politics in Sierra Leone has devolved into a game of tribalism, regionalism, and exclusion.
“What we are witnessing now is politics of hate, tribalism, and regionalism—which have culminated in what can be described as ‘We vs. Them,’” Abass noted. This divisive brand of politics, he argues, only serves to widen the gap between different communities and regions, leaving the nation further behind in terms of development.
A significant point of contention is the poor road network, which citizens like Abass believe is one of the key drivers of economic stagnation. A good road network, he explains, offers numerous benefits: it facilitates trade, connects people to services, and enhances access to markets, education, and healthcare. Without it, Sierra Leone remains uncompetitive in attracting foreign trade and direct investment.
“Good road infrastructure serves as the backbone for economic and social progress,” Abass said. Yet, in Sierra Leone, the road networks, energy supply, and other essential infrastructure are in a dysfunctional state, hampering the country’s growth potential.
Many Sierra Leoneans are now calling for a shift in focus among political leaders. They want their politicians to see the bigger picture—that is, to prioritize the country’s long-term development over party politics. The current political landscape, with its emphasis on short-term gains and parochial interests, is seen as outdated and unproductive.
For true progress to be made, there needs to be a comprehensive national agenda that prioritizes continuity in development projects, irrespective of which party is in power. Sierra Leoneans are demanding a political system that is not based on tribalism or regionalism, but one that promotes unity, sustainable development, and tangible improvements in the everyday lives of citizens.
As the country reflects on 63 years of independence, the question remains: will the politicians of Sierra Leone rise to the challenge and finally fulfill their promise of a better future, or will the nation continue to languish in unmet needs and broken promises? For the people of Sierra Leone, the answer cannot come soon enough.