By Rev. Donald Osman
The greatest wealth of any nation is not its mineral resources, its roads, or its infrastructure. It is its people. When a nation truly values human life, protecting, developing, and improving the lives of its citizens becomes its highest priority.
The uncomfortable truth is that many of our attitudes and actions suggest that we do not value human life as much as we claim. We speak passionately about development, patriotism, and national progress, but our everyday choices often tell a different story.
If we truly value human life, we would never overload buses, poda-podas, taxis, ferries, pampams, or trucks with passengers simply to make a little more money. Every overloaded vehicle is a human disaster waiting to happen.
If we value human life, we would insist on safer roads, responsible driving, and strict enforcement of traffic laws. We would stop overspeeding, dangerous overtaking, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and using mobile phones while driving. Every life lost on our roads represents a family whose future has been changed forever.
If we value human life, our hospitals and clinics would not be allowed to function without essential medicines, equipment, trained personnel, electricity, and clean water. Healthcare is not a luxury; it is a basic human necessity.
If we value human life, we would refuse to accept an educational system that leaves many children unable to read or write properly, think critically, or compete in today’s competitive world. Education is one of the greatest investments a nation can make in preserving and improving human life.
If we value human life, we would not tolerate blocked gutters, piles of garbage, animal and human faecal deposits, urinating in public spaces and poor sanitation in our communities. These conditions spread disease, especially among children and the elderly, and they rob families of good health and dignity.
If we value human life, we would never permit buildings to be built on wetlands, riverbeds, steep hillsides, or other dangerous locations. Every rainy season reminds us that ignoring environmental laws costs lives through floods, landslides, and the destruction of properties.
If we value human life, we would enforce building standards instead of allowing unsafe structures that put people’s lives at risk.
If we value human life, we would provide safe drinking water, reliable electricity, and effective emergency services, because these are not luxuries, they are essential to the preservation of life.
If we value human life, corruption would be seen not merely as stealing resources, but as stealing opportunities, healthcare, education, and, in many cases, human lives. Every Leone diverted from public services can mean fewer medicines in hospitals, fewer desks in classrooms, poorer roads, and weaker emergency response systems.
If we value human life, we would not sell expired food or counterfeit medicines. We would not ignore unsafe working conditions. We would not exploit children by using them as beggars in public spaces or neglect the elderly and providing for people living with disabilities.
If we value human life, employers would pay workers fairly and on time. Families would not be destitute because of unnecessary delays in salaries or pensions.
If we value human life, we would resolve disagreements peacefully instead of resorting to violence, tribal hatred, political intimidation, or destructive language. Every Sierra Leonean deserves dignity regardless of tribe, religion, political affiliation, gender, age, or social status.
If we value human life, we would not stand by silently when women and girls suffer abuse, when children are neglected, or when young people fall prey to drug addiction without intervention and support.
If we value human life, we would make our markets, schools, workplaces, and public spaces safer, cleaner, less congested and more accessible for everyone.
The list could continue ad finitum because the value we place on human life influences every decision we make as individuals and as a nation.
It is no coincidence that countries with the highest regard for human life consistently invest in healthcare, education, sanitation, environmental protection, public safety, and social welfare. Their progress begins with a simple conviction: people come first.
The challenge before Sierra Leone is not merely political, economic, or technological. It is deeply moral. It is a question of values. Each of us should pause and ask:
● How much do I value the life of another person?
● Does my behaviour make someone else’s life easier, safer or more difficult?
● Do my decisions protect life or endanger it?
● Am I contributing to the flourishing of my community or to its decline?
National transformation begins with personal transformation. Governments certainly have a tremendous responsibility, but citizens also shape the character of a nation. Every driver, teacher, doctor, nurse, trader, civil servant, religious leader, parent, student, and business owner makes decisions every day that either affirm or diminish the value of human life.
When we truly believe that every life is sacred, our priorities will change. Our policies will change. Our communities will change. And ultimately, our nation will change.
If Sierra Leone is to fulfil its God-given potential, we must place the dignity, welfare, and development of every human being at the very centre of our national agenda. That is not simply good governance; it is our moral responsibility.
The measure of our nation should never be about how much wealth we possess, but how faithful we are to protect, nurture, and honour every human life. The Bible categorically affirms that every life matters because each of us is made in the image of God.
If we truly value human life, Christian leaders would reject the false teaching of prosperity theology that measures God’s blessing primarily by personal wealth and material possessions. Instead of encouraging the pursuit of wealth while people around us suffer from hunger, poor healthcare, inadequate education, and preventable diseases, we would proclaim the whole counsel of God; which is a gospel that transforms lives, promotes justice, demonstrates compassion, and serves those in need.
We would also exercise faithful stewardship of God’s resources, refusing to spend enormous sums on projects that primarily display wealth or prestige while pressing human needs remain neglected.
The Church exists not merely to build impressive structures, but to build impressive people whose lives glorify God, restore human dignity, care for the vulnerable, and reflect the love of Christ in practical ways.
Christian leaders who truly love God will demonstrate that love by the way they value people and address their needs.