Tcho Kenah
The Bible says:
“Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.” — Proverbs 14:34
The Qur’an gives us a similar message:
“If only the people of the towns had believed and been mindful of Allah, We would certainly have opened up for them blessings from the heavens and the earth.” — Qur’an 7:96
Two Holy Books widely respected in Sierra Leone point us toward one important truth: the moral character of a people matters to the well-being of their country.
We are a religious nation. Our churches and mosques are full; we pray at public functions, and God is present in our everyday conversations. However, righteousness must go beyond what we profess.
For me, righteousness in this context is morality in practice: honesty, fairness, justice, compassion, integrity, and love.
Moreover, none of this means we must be perfect.
We have all been wrong before, and we will be wrong again. So when correcting someone, do it as though you were the one being corrected. Speak against wrong without destroying the person. Condemn in love. Compete in love. Contest in love.
Our morality must also be consistent.
We cannot condemn corruption, abuse of power, tribalism, or injustice when we are in opposition, and find excuses for the same things when our own people are in office. Wrong should remain wrong, whether it benefits our party, tribe, region, religion, family, or friends.
Moreover, morality is not only about government.
If someone pays for a full cup of rice, give them a full cup. Do not knowingly sell expired goods. Make a fair profit without taking advantage of another struggling Sierra Leonean.
The Qur’an says:
“Give full measure, and cause no loss to others. Weigh with an even balance.” — Qur’an 26:181–182
The Bible similarly says:
“The LORD detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him.” — Proverbs 11:1
That is righteousness too.
Leadership carries an even greater responsibility. Jesus taught that whoever wants to be great should become a servant (Matthew 20:26), while the Qur’an commands those entrusted with responsibility to honor their trusts and judge people fairly (Qur’an 4:58).
That should speak to everyone who leads—politicians, public servants, pastors, imams, chiefs, teachers, businesspeople, journalists and community leaders.
Part of the skepticism we see toward leadership, including religious leadership, comes when what people hear from the pulpit or podium does not resemble what they see in practice. Leadership must be reflected in conduct, not merely words.
However, ordinary citizens cannot demand from leaders what we refuse to practice ourselves.
Character is what we do even when nobody is watching.
The teacher must teach and grade students genuinely. The contractor must deliver what was paid for. The civil servant must serve without demanding something under the table. The journalist must respect the truth even when it is inconvenient. Employers must treat workers fairly, and workers must work honestly.
When opportunities come, give Joe what is Joe’s and Sallay what is Sallay’s.
A person’s surname, tribe, region, religion, or political connection should not determine whether they receive a job, scholarship, contract, promotion, or justice.
We must confront nepotism, sectionalism, corruption and every practice that makes Sierra Leoneans feel like strangers in their own country.
Above everything, we need more love in our public life.
Politics will come and go. Governments will change. Elections will be won and lost. We will disagree, sometimes strongly. However, when everything is over, we still have to live together as Sierra Leoneans.
So criticize without hatred. Correct without humiliation. Oppose without dehumanizing. Moreover, when somebody is wrong, remember that tomorrow it could be you.
Our churches and mosques can teach righteousness, but we must carry it into our markets, offices, classrooms, institutions, businesses, politics, and homes.
We do not have to belong to the same party, tribe, or religion. We do not even have to agree.
We have to remember that Sierra Leone belongs to all of us.
Let us correct one another with the same grace we would want for ourselves.
Condemn in love. Compete in love. Contest in love.
Above all, let us live together as one big Sierra Leonean family.
Righteousness will exalt Sierra Leone when righteousness becomes the everyday responsibility of Sierra Leoneans.