By Alieu Masaysay, Office of the Presidential Spokesman
Sierra Leone’s history is filled with moments of great promise and painful setbacks. In the early years before independence, our country was often described as the “Athens of West Africa,” admired for its quality education, governance structures, and infrastructure. But after independence, the shift from colonial administration to self-rule ushered in a system that, while empowering Sierra Leoneans, also gave rise to deep-rooted challenges.
Instead of nurturing unity, successive governments and politicians exploited tribalism, nepotism, and regional rivalries. These divisions eroded national cohesion and derailed the development path laid down in the early years. For over six decades, political competition became less about service to the people and more about capturing power by any means.
The consequence was tragic. The seeds of division and exclusion were among the root causes of the brutal eleven-year civil war, a conflict that devastated our people, leaving thousands dead, communities displaced, and many innocent Sierra Leoneans maimed for life. Even in peacetime, opposition parties often undermine the efforts of ruling governments, prioritizing political gains over national progress. The result has been instability, mistrust, and cycles of underdevelopment.
Yet Sierra Leone today is not the Sierra Leone of the past. Globalization, technology, and the rising awareness of our youth have created a new consciousness. The younger generation is increasingly demanding accountable leadership, fairness, and genuine inclusion. They are less willing to be manipulated by divisive politics and more eager to see Sierra Leone reclaim its place as a model nation in Africa.
Against this backdrop, President Julius Maada Bio has positioned himself as a leader with both the vision and courage to address the structural problems that have long undermined our progress. Through his “Five Big Game Changers” – Feed Salone, Human Capital Development, Youth Empowerment, Foreign Investment, and Digital Transformation – Sierra Leone has begun to witness encouraging signs of progress.
• Feed Salone has boosted agricultural production and gradually reduced reliance on expensive rice imports.
• Human Capital Development through the flagship Free Quality Education initiative has dramatically increased school enrollment, especially for girls, laying the foundation for an empowered future workforce.
• Youth Empowerment and job creation are being fostered through investment in new industries and factories, offering hope to thousands of young people.
• Internationally, Sierra Leone’s leadership under President Bio has been recognized. His election as Chairman of the UN Security Council and as Chair of ECOWAS, surpassing regional heavyweights like Ghana and Senegal, signals respect and confidence in his governance.
But perhaps President Bio’s most transformative initiative is his recent call for political inclusion through a Proportional Representation (PR) system and broader reforms to make governance more inclusive. For the first time in our history, there is a concrete proposal to end the destructive “winner-takes-all” politics that has divided us since independence.
Under PR and inclusive governance, every region, every political party, and every ethnic group would have a fair voice in decision-making. This system discourages tribalism and promotes collaboration, ensuring that no Sierra Leonean feels excluded from the governance process. It offers a chance to build a state where national interest outweighs partisan interest, where unity replaces division, and where sustainable development becomes truly possible.
Some politicians resist this change, fearing it will diminish their personal power. But the truth is clear: Sierra Leone cannot progress under a system that rewards division and exclusion. We must embrace reform, not for the benefit of one party or one leader, but for the survival and prosperity of our nation.
Conclusion
Sierra Leoneans at home and abroad must rise above tribal and partisan loyalties. The politics of exclusion has failed us for over sixty years, yielding corruption, poverty, and stagnation. The time has come for us to support a new model – one that puts inclusion, fairness, and collective progress at its heart.
If implemented with sincerity, President Bio’s proposal for proportional representation and political inclusion could mark the beginning of Sierra Leone’s rebirth. It could finally restore our lost glory and dignity as the true “Athens of West Africa.”