By Umaru Jah – Germany
Sierra Leoneans have endured years of hardship. For far too long, the daily struggle to survive has been the reality for many across the country. Rising food prices, limited job opportunities, poor access to healthcare and education. These challenges have worn down the hopes of ordinary citizens. The frustration is deepened by the belief that those in power have not done enough, or worse, have not even tried. The promises made in previous campaigns feel far removed from the lives people are living now.
This moment in our history demands serious reflection. The country is crying out for new leadership. The next government must offer more than familiar speeches. It must give the people a reason to believe that change is not only possible, but within reach.
The APC, as the main opposition party, carries a responsibility that goes beyond partisan politics. If it gets the leadership question right, it could offer the country a credible path forward. This requires choosing someone with the strength to lead, the discipline to plan, and the experience to govern.
Dr. Ibrahim Bangura is one of the candidates who brings a clear policy direction to the table. His platform outlines targeted areas for action: training youths in digital and agricultural skills through regional tech hubs, supporting women-led businesses, and expanding access to rural healthcare with new clinics. He also emphasizes the need for better governance in sectors like mining and practical steps toward national healing and institutional reform. These proposals reflect both the urgency of now and a readiness to govern.
Dr. Bangura offers more than just ideas. His goals are built on the kind of work he has already done. Between 2013 and 2016, he served as Security Sector Reform Advisor for a UK-supported program in Sierra Leone and helped develop two national justice strategies. He also worked with ECOWAS on regional policies around women, peace and security, and contributed to Nigeria’s national counter-terrorism planning. These efforts are part of a broader track record that shows he has turned policy into practice before, not theory, not talk, but work that shaped real decisions.
His campaign has not only been about laying out plans. It has included engaging communities during Ramadan visits across the country, supporting public health education like the Mpox awareness campaign, and holding public forums to listen to concerns. These efforts show a candidate who engages with people to better understand the problems they face.
As the APC prepares for its upcoming convention, it must rise to the occasion. The choice of a presidential candidate cannot be reduced to internal loyalty or regional balance. Delegates are not just choosing for the party; they are making a decision that could influence the lives of millions. After years of disappointment, the people deserve leadership that works.
This moment should not be wasted. The APC has a chance to offer Sierra Leone a true alternative, a serious, grounded, and prepared leadership that can begin to fix what has long been broken.