In a Press Release dated 22 August 2022, issued by the Ministry of Health and Sanitation and signed by the Permanent Secretary, Prince E.O. Cole, with the caption: “Salary Increase and Benefits for Health Care Workers” it was stated that the Ministry of Finance has approved the allocation of financial resources to the Ministry of Health and Sanitation for the welfare of Health Care Workers.
Categorically stated was that the Government has increased the salaries of all healthcare workers to make up for the loss of earnings resulting from the removal of COVID 19 allowances amounting to NLe.20.85 million (Old Le.20.85 billion) adding that the new salary structure will take effect on 1 September 2022.
Also mentioned was that an Extra-budgetary allocation of NLe.9.3 million (Old Le.9.3 billion) to cover weekly allocation of 45 Litres of fuel to eligible Health Workers (Grade 9 and above) to cover the period July to December 2022 maintaining how those benefits would be reutilized beyond December 2022.
It was stated that to such an end, the Government has now directly paid fuel to the oil companies and disbursement of fuel to eligible Health Workers would be by actual delivery of fuel with retained evidence of post utilization/ audit verification, preferably by the Electronic Card System.
Highlighted was that all Health Workers with assigned Government and or donor-funded vehicles with the provision of fuel from any official source should not double dip.
The Health Ministry concluded by assuring the public of its commitment to saving lives, alleviating suffering and promoting the health of the people of Sierra Leone.
During a snap ceremony held at State House on the 22nd August 2022, President Julius Maada Bio decorated the newly appointed Inspector General of Police (IGP), William Fayia Sellu, and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Major General Peter Kakowou Lavahun, also congratulating them and emphasizing that their promotions were from God but also impressing on them that the tasks ahead were enormous.
“At a point in time in the world when things are not very steady, we have emerging and overlapping issues. We have to rise to these tasks. The police are at the forefront daily to maintain law and order and keep the peace, while the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) defends the territorial integrity of our nation. This is by no means a menial task,” he said.
President Bio further stated that it was expected of the Police and the military to defend Sierra Leone’s citizens and provide a space for all to be peaceful, adding that the recent event on August 10 had shown that there were people hell-bent on disturbing the peace and harmony of the country.
“Unfortunately, we have our compatriots who are equally determined to break that resolve to keep us safe and united as a nation. They are so determined to even incite the military to take over,” he lamented, adding: “The task on your shoulders is heavy, but it has to be performed with diligence if we are to feel safe and carry on like other decent societies in the world”.
“We must make Sierra Leone safer in the first place because it is in that ecosystem of safety and security that investments and other good things will take place. This is why we are particular about peace and security, and we want to make sure that we can provide the jobs that young people need.
“It takes the collective efforts of every society to create that stable environment, which is why we cannot leave the peace and security of this country in the hands of the Police alone,” he noted and assured the Police of Government’s commitment to investigate the August 10 insurrection that led to the killing of police officers and other civilians.
While administering the oaths to the IGP and CDS, Secretary to the President, Dr Julius Sandy, stated that subject to Section 157, and Section 168 of the 1991 Constitution, Parliament had approved the appointment of William Fayia Sellu and Major General Peter Kakowou Lavahun as suitable to serve as the IGP and the CDS of the Republic of Sierra Leone on Thursday, 4 August 2022.
Having fulfilled the constitutional conditions, the gentlemen were allowed to take the oath of their respective offices, decorated, and proceeded to sign the Government register.
The swearing-in ceremony and the decoration also attracted the decoration of five additional military personnel, including Brigadier General Dauda Fred Alpha, Brigadier General Christian Fahim Marah, Group Captain John Alfred Sahr Gbondo, Group Captain Michael Sorieba Kamara, and Captain Navy Philip Jesbert Juana.
NP- Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) has been rated as a business entity that is highly considered as first in terms of optimizing customer care. As one that deals in various petroleum products, the company has been widely acclaimed for the cordial, smart and efficient manner in how Filling Station Pump Attendants are treating its numerous customers in different parts of the country.
The company has become very endearing simply because its dedicated members of staff are trained to respond to the needs of customers. Giving satisfaction to customers forms a cardinal part of the Mission of NP-SL Ltd and from so far have been learnt it has been maximizing that very well.
It is on record that certain Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations and private institutions have Memoranda of Understanding with the petroleum marketing entity bordering on supplying their vehicles fuel and payment made later. This hire purchase agreement is a true manifestation of how the company is geared towards being customer friendly and it is a business strategy that has resulted into business conveniences.
Since it was established by 35 Sierra Leoneans, who bought shares from the Government years back, the company has grown from leaps and bounds; weathering storms that would have run it down. But the resolve of its shareholders and Management to succeed has been the centrepiece that has propelled the company to a higher level, equal to none in the sub-region.
Put in other words, the selflessness and commitment of the shareholders have made it possible for the company to empower many Sierra Leoneans and at the same time put it at a vantage position to continue to open more filling stations across the country.
Besides marketing petroleum products such as petrol, diesel, gas and various lubricants, the company is also known for selling affordable NP Gas cookers of various sizes, which have been proven to be safe and very friendly to use. NP Gas cookers could be purchased at NP Filling Stations or from authorized dealers across the country and the very gas is also sold to replenish the one that has been used.
Very mindful that without their cherished customers there will be no NP-SL, the shareholders and Management have made customer care a number one priority which is why the company is synonymous with 1st For Customer Care. In order to give maximum and optimal satisfaction to customers, NP-SL has always ensured that it operates in tandem with international standards and best practices so that after any service delivery customers get the good feeling that they have derived value for money. Most of the company’s affiliated Filling stations are state of the art structures having modern calibrated pumping machines that are transparent and accurate in terms of measurement.
The Pump Attendants are well mannered, always courteous and ready to assist both old and new customers whenever they are in doubt of what to do.
“I always carry my NP Smart Card with me just in case my car’s fuel gauge will show red and I may not exactly have the required amount of money to refill or even if I have it such could have been put aside for another purpose. With my card I can just breeze into any NP Filling Station and by using my card the attendant will pump the quantity of petrol I need,” Felix Sesay, an engineer intimated adding how the card’s security features are unique and could not be easily falsified.
“When I first heard of ‘Your fuel on Smart Card’ I thought it was a joke but only realized its efficacy when I started making use of it,” he furthered saying he is really finding it very convenient in doing so and as such prevent him from withdrawing big cash from his bank account for purchasing fuel adding how it as well help in also saving him time.
NP Gas is now the talk of the day as numerous individuals are everyday coming to the realization that it is very suitable for cooking purposes without posing any serious health risks. Manufactured in different cylinder sizes NP Gas is marketed at all the company’s filling stations and by authorized dealers going at affordable prices. Advantageously, NP Gas can be refilled with gas that the company imports and markets making them simple for customers to continue their use.
Indeed even at this material time when situations at the global stage are negatively impinging the world market price of fuel the NP Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) will continue to make frantic efforts to give utmost satisfaction to its numerous and cherished customers
NP- Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) has been rated as a business entity that is highly considered as first in terms of optimizing customer care. As one that deals in various petroleum products, the company has been widely acclaimed for the cordial, smart and efficient manner in how Filling Station Pump Attendants are treating its numerous customers in different parts of the country.
The company has become very endearing simply because its dedicated members of staff are trained to respond to the needs of customers. Giving satisfaction to customers forms a cardinal part of the Mission of NP-SL Ltd and from so far have been learnt it has been maximizing that very well.
It is on record that certain Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations and private institutions have Memoranda of Understanding with the petroleum marketing entity bordering on supplying their vehicles fuel and payment made later. This hire purchase agreement is a true manifestation of how the company is geared towards being customer friendly and it is a business strategy that has resulted into business conveniences.
Since it was established by 35 Sierra Leoneans, who bought shares from the Government years back, the company has grown from leaps and bounds; weathering storms that would have run it down. But the resolve of its shareholders and Management to succeed has been the centrepiece that has propelled the company to a higher level, equal to none in the sub-region.
Put in other words, the selflessness and commitment of the shareholders have made it possible for the company to empower many Sierra Leoneans and at the same time put it at a vantage position to continue to open more filling stations across the country.
Besides marketing petroleum products such as petrol, diesel, gas and various lubricants, the company is also known for selling affordable NP Gas cookers of various sizes, which have been proven to be safe and very friendly to use. NP Gas cookers could be purchased at NP Filling Stations or from authorized dealers across the country and the very gas is also sold to replenish the one that has been used.
Very mindful that without their cherished customers there will be no NP-SL, the shareholders and Management have made customer care a number one priority which is why the company is synonymous with 1st For Customer Care. In order to give maximum and optimal satisfaction to customers, NP-SL has always ensured that it operates in tandem with international standards and best practices so that after any service delivery customers get the good feeling that they have derived value for money. Most of the company’s affiliated Filling stations are state of the art structures having modern calibrated pumping machines that are transparent and accurate in terms of measurement.
The Pump Attendants are well mannered, always courteous and ready to assist both old and new customers whenever they are in doubt of what to do.
“I always carry my NP Smart Card with me just in case my car’s fuel gauge will show red and I may not exactly have the required amount of money to refill or even if I have it such could have been put aside for another purpose. With my card I can just breeze into any NP Filling Station and by using my card the attendant will pump the quantity of petrol I need,” Felix Sesay, an engineer intimated adding how the card’s security features are unique and could not be easily falsified.
“When I first heard of ‘Your fuel on Smart Card’ I thought it was a joke but only realized its efficacy when I started making use of it,” he furthered saying he is really finding it very convenient in doing so and as such prevent him from withdrawing big cash from his bank account for purchasing fuel adding how it as well help in also saving him time.
NP Gas is now the talk of the day as numerous individuals are everyday coming to the realization that it is very suitable for cooking purposes without posing any serious health risks. Manufactured in different cylinder sizes NP Gas is marketed at all the company’s filling stations and by authorized dealers going at affordable prices. Advantageously, NP Gas can be refilled with gas that the company imports and markets making them simple for customers to continue their use.
Indeed even at this material time when situations at the global stage are negatively impinging the world market price of fuel the NP Sierra Leone Limited (NP-SL Ltd) will continue to make frantic efforts to give utmost satisfaction to its numerous and cherished customers
GTBank Unveils GT World SL App & “Kip Fo D Bambia”
By Foday Moriba Conteh
As part of their efforts geared towards creating a platform that allows users/customers to conveniently access their bank accounts and conduct transactions using mobile phones and to put smiles on the faces of their customers, Guaranty Trust Bank Sierra Leone Limited (GTB-SL) has on Monday 22nd August, 2022 unveiled its GT World SL Mobile App and “Kip Fo D Bambai” Promotion at a ceremony that was held at its Head Office on Wilberforce Street in Freetown.
In his statement, the Managing Director of GTB, Ade Adebiyi, described the occasion as an important milestone in the development of products in the bank.
He maintained that it is no coincidence that the bank is in the process of testing the national switch with the Central Bank (Bank of Sierra Leone) revealing how, over the years, the Bank of Sierra Leone has been telling financial stakeholders in the banking sector about Financial Inclusion, noting that they are at the tail end of actualizing Financial Inclusion.
“In the sense that wherever you are in the country without going into the banking hall, you are able to do your transactions on your computer, on your phone, on laptop or even by going to an agent,” he said.
He continued that in ensuring that they align with the Financial Inclusion objective of the regulator, they are launching the GT World to market their customers.
Ade Adebiyi assured that it is a simple product that can be used without encountering difficulties referencing how 2 years ago they launched their USSD project which, he said, is similar to the GT World.
“Today, it is very significant that as the price of data in the industry crashes, we now need a product whereby you can do similar things using the internet. And, GT World is a product that is similar to the USSD but uses the internet and can do virtually everything. And with the National Switch coming on, you will also be able to transfer money to other banks instantly,” he explained.
He reiterated that with this app, the bank policy of the Central Bank is coming to play as there will be no need to be carrying plenty of cash.
The Managing Director applauded the Bank of Sierra Leone for pushing the agenda for Financial Inclusion.
Giving an update on the ‘Kip Fo D Bambai’ promo, Head of SME Banking, Kelwina Martyn explained that the promotion will last for a three-month period starting from August to October of this year.
She furthered that during the three months period, they are encouraging their customers to save with the bank and maintain their balances in their accounts.
“We have three (3) different qualifying categories which are the Silver, Gold and Platinum. For the Silver, a fresh deposit of account balance must be Three Thousand Leones (Le3000) which is Three Million Leones (Le3, 000,000) in the Old Leones, the sum of Five Thousand Leones (Le5000) which is Five Million Leones (Le5, 000,000) in the Old Leones for the Gold and Ten Thousand Leones (Le10, 000) which is Ten Million Leones (Le10, 000,000) in the Old Leones for the Platinum,” she stated.
Kelwina Martyn added that during the period of the promotion, customers who are qualified in the various categories will stand a chance to win attractive prizes.
She disclosed that customers stand the chance to win air conditioners, microwaves, blender, electric iron, rice cooker in the silver category; smartphones, gas cooker or refrigerator in the gold category and musical set, deep freezer and smartphone in the platinum category.
The Head of SME Banking called on their customers as well as those who are not banking with the bank to take advantage of the opportunity by joining the bank and meet the threshold for qualification.
In her presentation, the Corporate Affairs Officer of GTB, Victoria Wright explained that the GT World App gives access to customers to carry-out their transactions using their Smartphones no matter their location.
She furthered that through the GT World SL App one will be able to open an account using the app, do transfer, buy airtime, check balance, a finder to locate the nearest branch or ATM, payment of bills, customer care among other facilities.
Victoria pointed out that they have three (3) categories of targeted customers for the app, which are the young generation, the middle age and the aged.
In a bid to provide a national platform for academics, researchers, managers, policymakers and students to share their research findings with national and international experts, the Economic Association of Sierra Leone (EASL) has on Friday 19th August 2022 held its 1st Quarterly Brown Bag Seminar 2022 on the theme: “Developing a Culture of Discussing and Implementing Research Findings in Sierra Leone” during an event that took place at LACS Villa on King Harman Road in Freetown.
Speaking to Pressmen, the President of Economic Association of Sierra Leone, Dr. Brima IB Kargbo gave a brief statement of the association of which he said it is a non-profit making oriented and apolitical professional association, without nationalistic bias ,charged with the responsibility of unearthing solutions to social and economic problems using economic tools.
He added that the mission of the association is to actively engage in economic and social research leading to the general advancement of the Sierra Leonean economy with a vision to become the national centre of excellence in research provoking informed judgment on the ups and downs of the Sierra Leonean Economy.
Dr. Brima IB Kargbo pointed out that early this year the association invited Researchers and Policymakers to submit research papers for their inaugural Quarterly Brown Bag Seminar relating to any area of economics, including theoretical, empirical and conceptual papers.
He maintained that the Quarterly Brown Bag Seminar is geared towards providing a national platform for academics, researchers, managers, policymakers and students to share their research findings with national and international experts.
The President revealed that after they have shared theses of research findings with national and international experts the association is not only to leave them in the form of papers but rather intend to disseminate the information to the Monitoring Policy Authority at the Central Bank and the Physical Policy Authority at the Ministry of Finance for implementation.
During the event, four researchers presented papers and they include, Ezekiel K. Duramany Lakkoh, Department of Management Science, Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM) who presented a paper on the: “A Granger Causality Test on the Impact of Public Debt on the Economic Growth of Sierra Leone”.
Alpha Umaru Bah presented a paper on: “Supply Chains under Covid-19 Disruptions: Literature Review and Research Agenda.”
Dr. Brima IB Kargbo, the President of Economic Association of Sierra Leone, also presented a paper on the : “Dropping the Zeros: Between Hope and Reality for Sierra Leone: A Critical Review of the Literature”.
After each presentation, members from the audience had the opportunity to ask questions followed by an evaluation based on originality, technical and/or research depth, accuracy and relevance by Alieu Sesay, former Commissioner General of the National Revenue Authority.
All the four presenters were given Cheques and Certificates by the Economic Society of Sierra Leone.
In a bid to provide a national platform for academics, researchers, managers, policymakers and students to share their research findings with national and international experts, the Economic Association of Sierra Leone (EASL) has on Friday 19th August 2022 held its 1st Quarterly Brown Bag Seminar 2022 on the theme: “Developing a Culture of Discussing and Implementing Research Findings in Sierra Leone” during an event that took place at LACS Villa on King Harman Road in Freetown.
Speaking to Pressmen, the President of Economic Association of Sierra Leone, Dr. Brima IB Kargbo gave a brief statement of the association of which he said it is a non-profit making oriented and apolitical professional association, without nationalistic bias ,charged with the responsibility of unearthing solutions to social and economic problems using economic tools.
He added that the mission of the association is to actively engage in economic and social research leading to the general advancement of the Sierra Leonean economy with a vision to become the national centre of excellence in research provoking informed judgment on the ups and downs of the Sierra Leonean Economy.
Dr. Brima IB Kargbo pointed out that early this year the association invited Researchers and Policymakers to submit research papers for their inaugural Quarterly Brown Bag Seminar relating to any area of economics, including theoretical, empirical and conceptual papers.
He maintained that the Quarterly Brown Bag Seminar is geared towards providing a national platform for academics, researchers, managers, policymakers and students to share their research findings with national and international experts.
The President revealed that after they have shared theses of research findings with national and international experts the association is not only to leave them in the form of papers but rather intend to disseminate the information to the Monitoring Policy Authority at the Central Bank and the Physical Policy Authority at the Ministry of Finance for implementation.
During the event, four researchers presented papers and they include, Ezekiel K. Duramany Lakkoh, Department of Management Science, Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM) who presented a paper on the: “A Granger Causality Test on the Impact of Public Debt on the Economic Growth of Sierra Leone”.
Alpha Umaru Bah presented a paper on: “Supply Chains under Covid-19 Disruptions: Literature Review and Research Agenda.”
Dr. Brima IB Kargbo, the President of Economic Association of Sierra Leone, also presented a paper on the : “Dropping the Zeros: Between Hope and Reality for Sierra Leone: A Critical Review of the Literature”.
After each presentation, members from the audience had the opportunity to ask questions followed by an evaluation based on originality, technical and/or research depth, accuracy and relevance by Alieu Sesay, former Commissioner General of the National Revenue Authority.
All the four presenters were given Cheques and Certificates by the Economic Society of Sierra Leone.
Following the riotous conduct and public disorder, which occurred on Wednesday the 10th August 2022, it was reported that Musa Kalokoh of 3 Old Road, Rokel Freetown in the Western part of Sierra Leone.
Musa was a youth leader affiliated with the opposition All People Congress (APC) Party allegedly involved in printing out T-Shirts and Placards which was used by opposition party supporters and youth groups, who are not in favor of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) Government. for an unlawful demonstration which was staged in Freetown and the Northern Part of Sierra Leone on Wednesday 10th August 2022, resulting to the death of six (6) Police Officers and scores of ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) Supporters and scores innocent civilians dead.
It was alleged that Musa Kalokoh of 3 Old Road, Rokel Freetown in the Western Area of the Republic of Sierra Leone, youth leader affiliated with the opposition All People Congress (APC) Party, have been involving himself in an anti-government campaigns and he was widely known as a critic of the ruling government. That before Wednesday 10th August 2022, intelligence was gathered that the latter (Musa Kalokoh) was seen printing thousands of T-Shirts, Banners and Placards with the inscription “We want peace, Freedom and Justice, Maada must go” in his Internet Café.
That on Wednesday 10th August 2022, about 10: am, Musa Kalokoh conspired together with other people and incited youths to demonstrate unlawfully thereby causing riots and mayhem in the Eastern part of Freetown and in Northern Province of the Republic of Sierra Leone. Which resulted in the death of six (6) Police Officers and scores of innocent civilians dead and many others injured.
In the evening hours of the same date in question, Police and Army Personnel backed up by the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) supporters who were helping the Police in pointing out all the Perpetrators involved in the aftermath of the August 10th unlawful demonstration, raided the house of Musa Kalokoh who was then arrested by the Police and was taken to an isolated confinement in the outskirt of Freetown where he was detained for thirteen (13) days.
Whilst in this solitary confinement, on the 24th August 2022, Musa Kalokoh managed to escape from the Guards and ran away to an unknown destination. Few days later, the Police received information that suspect Musa Kalokoh is seeking refuge to one of his friends at Waterloo in the outskirt of the capital Freetown. The Police acted at once and raided the premise at Waterloo but unfortunately the suspect Musa Kalokoh and his so-called friend were nowhere to be found.
Due to the fact that the suspect Musa Kalokoh is on the run and is yet to be found, a Warrant of Arrest was put in force to arrest the suspect but to no avail.
Due to that, the Police declared suspect Musa Kalokoh WANTED for questioning and face trial in respect of the offence he had committed.
There were nationwide protests by the Trade and Labour union as well as students in 1977 over bad State governance and deteriorating socio-economic conditions in the country that further rapidly deteriorated after the country hosted the ill-advised 1980 OAU Summit.
The FBC Students’ riots and the ensuing RUF war of the 1990s that engulfed a country where the majority are poor and marginalized cannot be peaceful for long. From what was seen from the latest protests, shared economic prosperity holds the key to a peaceful society. What is economic prosperity and how does it relate to peace and security?
Economic prosperity refers to a country’s economic growth and how important that is distributed because a country can be economically prosperous with a vast majority of the population living in poverty.
Thus, shared economic prosperity is what determines the standard of living of a people and the level of peace and security they enjoy. Without economic prosperity, there cannot be the revenue to address many social issues and needs that are caused by inequality and falling living standards that failed conservative economic development policies have created in poor developing countries like Sierra Leone since the 1970s.
Thus, the dependence on foreign aid and loans continues because we simply, Government after Government, failed to realize that we lack the knowledge, institutions, infrastructure, and work ethic and culture to adopt these Western prescribed development models into our society. In which regard, many are of the opinion that to achieve shared economic prosperity, we have to first and foremost de-colonize our minds, adopt a “we can do” with available resources, and work conscientiously as a Government and people like the Chinese have done for the past fifty years to get to the level of economic development and shared prosperity that keeps their society peaceful.
The Independent Media Commission (IMC) on Monday 22nd August 2022, held a consultative meeting with newspaper Editors, radio and television Station Managers on ethical broadcast and publications at the Commission’s Conference Hall in Freetown.
In his welcome statement, The IMC Executive Secretary, Khalil Kallon, in his welcome statement, disclosed that the engagement was convened as a result of the Commission’s concern over unethical broadcasts and publications by certain media houses during and after the August 10th violent demonstration.
He added that the business of the Commission is to see that sanity prevails in the media landscape in the country and as such, the IMC sets parameters for registration and licences of media institutions and ensures that the media operates in a well-regulated manner in line with the IMC Act 2020 and Media Code of Practice.
IMC Chairman, Dr. Victor Massaquoi, on his part, called on media practitioners to be mindful and responsible in the discharge of their duties as journalists. He cautioned journalists to be mindful of their tones in reporting as well as in their manner of writing in their newspapers. The IMC Chairman appealed to them to avoid hate speech, incitement and negative tribal messages in the media, noting that Sierra Leone ‘is the only country we have as our home and the peace of the nation should be paramount to everyone irrespective of status’.
He warned Managers and Editors to operate their media houses on guiding principles such as Accuracy, Balance, Fairness and Credibility, which he said must be observed by all media practitioners during their education, information and entertainment programmes. Chairman Massaquoi cautioned them to “WATCH”—their words, their actions, their thoughts, their character and their habits; noting that Sierra Leone cannot afford to go down the road of Rwanda which tragic event was caused by a particular radio station.
Dr Massaquoi informed his audience that the Commission is investigating some newspapers, radios and television stations prior to, during and immediately after the 10th August 2022 event. He stressed that the provisions of the IMC Act and Media shall be invoked on any media institution found to be in breach of the laws as necessary.
The engagement was climaxed by five key resolutions: Managers/Editors to uphold and respect the provisions of the IMC Act 2020 and Media Code of Practice; Managers/Editors denounce promotion of hate speech/messages in the media; IMC to distinguish publications considered to be tribal, political, inciting and hate speeches; IMC to ensure that the media have more ethical reporting standards training across the country; IMC to advocate to Government and other advertisers for payment of advert monies owed to media houses.
Since the 1980s, Sierra Leone’s Main Challenge has been Economic Prosperity
By Ranger
There were nationwide protests by the Trade and Labour union as well as students in 1977 over bad State governance and deteriorating socio-economic conditions in the country that further rapidly deteriorated after the country hosted the ill-advised 1980 OAU Summit.
The FBC Students’ riots and the ensuing RUF war of the 1990s that engulfed a country where the majority are poor and marginalized cannot be peaceful for long. From what was seen from the latest protests, shared economic prosperity holds the key to a peaceful society. What is economic prosperity and how does it relate to peace and security?
Economic prosperity refers to a country’s economic growth and how important that is distributed because a country can be economically prosperous with a vast majority of the population living in poverty.
Thus, shared economic prosperity is what determines the standard of living of a people and the level of peace and security they enjoy. Without economic prosperity, there cannot be the revenue to address many social issues and needs that are caused by inequality and falling living standards that failed conservative economic development policies have created in poor developing countries like Sierra Leone since the 1970s.
Thus, the dependence on foreign aid and loans continues because we simply, Government after Government, failed to realize that we lack the knowledge, institutions, infrastructure, and work ethic and culture to adopt these Western prescribed development models into our society. In which regard, many are of the opinion that to achieve shared economic prosperity, we have to first and foremost de-colonize our minds, adopt a “we can do” with available resources, and work conscientiously as a Government and people like the Chinese have done for the past fifty years to get to the level of economic development and shared prosperity that keeps their society peaceful.