By Alvin Lansana Kargbo
Former Chief Minister and academic, Professor David J. Francis, has launched his latest book titled :“Governing a Poor Country: Perspectives from the Former Chief Minister of Sierra Leone,” a publication that examines governance challenges facing developing nations and offers insights drawn from his experience at the center of Government. The book provides a reflective account of governance, leadership and development issues, drawing from Professor David J. Francis’s time in public service and his academic engagement with policy and state administration.
The book was officially launched on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at the Centre of Excellence of the Institute of Public Administration and Management in Freetown. The publication marks Professor David J. Francis’s 13th academic and policy-oriented book and brings together reflections on governance, public administration and development challenges in Sierra Leone and other developing countries.
Speaking during the launch, Professor David J. Francis described the occasion as a significant moment that brings together national governance practice, policy development and academic scholarship. Professor David J. Francis explained that the discussions generated by the book would enrich students’ understanding of how Government functions in practice and how complex policy decisions are shaped within state institutions. Professor David J. Francis noted that the book focuses on governance challenges confronting poor and underdeveloped countries, particularly across Africa and draws lessons from his tenure as Chief Minister of Sierra Leone.
Professor David J. Francis stated that the publication is structured around three central themes. The first theme interrogates why Sierra Leone has remained poor and poorly governed for decades despite the country’s abundant natural resources. The second theme provides insights into the complexity of managing a modern state, based on Professor David J. Francis’s experience in Government, noting that many aspiring political leaders often underestimate the realities and pressures associated with governing. The third theme documents Professor David J. Francis’s stewardship as Chief Minister, a position he described as the second of its kind in Sierra Leone’s history and the first to operate within the country’s republican era under President Julius Maada Bio.
He further explained that the book examines the governance architecture introduced under the New Direction administration and reflects on the achievements, successes and challenges encountered within that framework. Professor David J. Francis noted that the work also analyzes the establishment and operation of the Office of the Chief Minister, including its role in coordinating policy strategy, monitoring Government performance and overseeing service delivery across Sierra Leone’s twenty-eight Ministries.
Discussing the choice of the book’s title, Professor David J. Francis said the phrase ,“Governing a Poor Country”, was deliberately chosen to provoke discussion and reflection. While Sierra Leone is frequently described as a poor country, Professor David J. Francis argued that the nation is in fact richly endowed with minerals, natural resources, human capital and historical assets. According to him, the title seeks to draw attention to governance failures that have produced poor development outcomes despite the country’s considerable wealth.
Professor David J. Francis highlighted the scale of Sierra Leone’s mineral resources, noting that a recently verified national mineral deposit map confirmed that the iron ore deposit in Tonkolili stands at approximately 12.8 billion tons. Using an estimated market price of 105 United States dollars per ton in August 2025, he stated that the deposit alone could be valued at about 1.344 trillion United States dollars, illustrating the country’s vast natural resource potential.
Reflecting on global development comparisons, Professor David J. Francis observed that earlier development projections once suggested that Sierra Leone had stronger prospects than countries such as South Korea. However, while South Korea has since become a high-income economy and the world’s twelfth-largest economy, Sierra Leone remains among the poorest and least developed countries. He argued that decades of corruption, weak governance, leadership failures among political elites and broader societal complicity have contributed to this situation.
Professor David J. Francis further contended that Sierra Leone’s political culture has historically been characterized by rent-seeking and patrimonial resource extraction rather than effective service delivery. He noted that the book presents candid reflections on those issues based on his direct experience while serving in Government.
Addressing debates surrounding the Office of the Chief Minister, Professor David J. Francis explained that the role is often misunderstood. He clarified that the office is not equivalent to the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit in the United Kingdom but functions as a coordinating institution responsible for supervision, monitoring, follow-up and performance management across government ministries. Professor David J. Francis added that the powers of the Chief Minister derive from presidential delegation under Sections 40, 53 and 56 of the 1991 Constitution and are designed to ease the governance burden on the President and Vice President.
He also reflected on institutional developments that occurred during his tenure as Chief Minister. Professor David J. Francis said he oversaw the establishment of two key national institutions, namely the National Disaster Management Agency and the Independent Commission for Peace and National Security. He explained that the Office of the Chief Minister also played a central role in coordinating cabinet retreats and aligning Government priorities with the Mid-Term National Development Plan covering the period from 2019 to 2023.
Professor David J. Francis emphasized that leadership in Government requires humility, discipline and professional competence, as well as the courage to provide honest assessments to the President. He also added that an effective Chief Minister must enjoy the trust of the President, enforce decisions and timelines, and coordinate ministers to ensure the implementation of national priorities.
Reviewing the book at the launch event, historian and academic Professor Joe A. D. Alie described the publication as a significant contribution to governance debates in Sierra Leone. Professor Joe A. D. Alie stated that the work offers more than a political narrative, presenting a thoughtful reflection grounded in the author’s experience at the center of national decision-making.
Professor Joe A. D. Alie explained that the book is organized into six chapters that explore the realities of governance in Sierra Leone. He noted that the first chapter examines why the country remains poor despite its natural assets, focusing on domestic politics, institutions and development outcomes. According to him the second chapter analyzes the creation and rationale of the Office of the Chief Minister as a coordination hub within Sierra Leone’s presidential system of governance.
The celebrated historian added that the third chapter discusses policy coordination tools such as cabinet retreats and ministerial performance management mechanisms designed to strengthen accountability and implementation.
Professor Joe A. D. Alie furthered how the fourth chapter focuses on strengthening state institutions and policy planning, emphasizing that sustainable development requires capable ministries, departments and agencies.
In his estimation , the fifth chapter highlights Professor David J. Francis’s international engagements aimed at strengthening Sierra Leone’s global partnerships and diplomatic presence. The Professor further explained that the sixth chapter reflects on lessons in statecraft and examines the politics surrounding the role of the Chief Minister, including its achievements, problems and challenges. He noted that throughout the book, Professor David J. Francis emphasizes that effective governance depends on coherent institutions, disciplined performance management and consistent implementation of national policies.
Professor Joe A. D. Alie observed that the publication blends academic analysis with a personal account of public service, offering readers valuable insights into the practical realities of governing a country. He maintained how the work demonstrates that national development requires patience, coordination and long-term planning rather than short-term political debate.
Professor Joe A. D. Alie concluded that the publication encourages political leaders and citizens alike to focus on strengthening institutions and ensuring that national resources are managed in the public interest. He also maintained that the book provides important lessons on leadership, accountability and the responsibilities involved in governing a nation.
Copies of the book can be purchased through major international online retailers including Amazon and other global bookstores. The publication can also be ordered directly from the publisher, Adonis & Abbey Publishers. The book is available in both hardcover and paperback editions and carries the ISBN numbers 9781913976750 for the hardcover edition and 9781913976743 for the paperback edition. Written in English, the publication targets a broad audience including policymakers, academics, diplomats, journalists and students interested in African politics, governance and development studies.
