By Sallieu S. Kanu
Freetown, June 9, 2026: Kasho Joseph Holland-Cole, Chairman of the Western Area Rural District Council, has launched a scathing critique of the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP), accusing the government of failing to deliver on its promises and declaring that the opposition All People’s Congress (APC) is preparing to reclaim power in the 2028 elections.
In a statement posted on his official Facebook page, Holland-Cole said, ” even a child who struggles to call their mother’s name can see that the SLPP government has broken its promise to lead this country toward a better future.” He added that Sierra Leoneans are weary of hardship, excuses, and unfulfilled pledges, insisting that the verdict will be delivered at the ballot box in 2028.
“The APC is preparing to present a leader who fits the demands of the times, leadership that understands the harsh realities confronting our people and the urgent need for a different direction,” Holland-Cole wrote, predicting a decisive defeat for the SLPP.
His remarks come amid growing scrutiny of the government’s international reputation. He said that in the early days of President Julius Maada Bio’s administration, a U.S.-based PR firm, Weintraub Communications, was reportedly hired to carry out an “image and reputational cleansing” campaign, adding that the initiative was intended to restore Sierra Leone’s standing after claims that the previous APC regime had damaged the country’s global image.
“Yet, if one looks at where we are, one is left wondering whether that PR achieved its intended purpose or was just another gimmick aimed at fattening the pockets of the popular few,” he claimed.
“Today, Sierra Leone’s name increasingly appears in discussions linked to some of the world’s most upsetting indicators. Most recently, reports suggest that members of the European Parliament have called for a review of assistance to Sierra Leone over allegations that the country is hosting one of Europe’s most wanted drug traffickers,” he said.
He noted that, If these reports are accurate, they raise serious questions about the success of the much-publicized image- and reputational-cleansing campaign.
Holland-Cole said, “After all, a country’s reputation is not built by public relations contracts alone. It is shaped by actions, institutions, accountability, and the perception created by events on the ground.”