OPINION > One Thing & Another Assets Declaration! Mr. President Must Take The Lead Posted by on Jan 22, 2008, 18:30

Political statements by politicians, leaders and presidents are considered as commitment and point of reference in making a thorough assessment of these people. A politician is as good as his words and as good as his performance. Although, Hegel, a political Philosopher once said that there is no morality in politics, that doesn’t mean a politician should not keep to his promises.

It is based on most of these promises that votes are cast and political victory achieved, but when these promises are not fulfilled or adhered to, the obvious conclusion is that politicians are a group of liars who are out to take from the people and give them nothing in return. It is against such background that politicians should be honest to the people. For gone are those days, according to John Locke when the people are living in a world of shadows, for it is not only a world full of deceptions, but one that is non-existent.

The real world is packed full of actions, surprises, shocks and many others, where one is not sandwiched by caves with light depicting human shadows. The government of President Ernest Koroma is not one that is tied or sandwiched in caves, but one made up of men and women with visible identities. That is why, in the estimation of the people who voted, the government in power should be able to keep to its promises in the interest of transparency and accountability.

When a government or organization operates in an opaque situation, disaster becomes imminent as the resources of the people are converted to the benefit of the politicians or organization. The expectation of the people is not to witness a government that employs fraudulent methods to take from the people. It should be borne in the minds of the politicians that they are servants of the people and not masters; therefore they should be able to make known to them what their assets are prior to their entrance into governance.

In view of this, the President should take the lead in declaring his assets to the people whose mandate to rule he now enjoys. Effective governance cannot be accomplished when the President refuses or euphemistically put, “forget to declare his assets”.

It would be recalled that sometime ago, the then Commissioner of the Anti Corruption Commission, Mr. Val Collier demanded from Cabinet Ministers and Members of Parliament a declaration exercise of their assets. The mere pronouncement of this exercise put the officials in a state of jittery and developed hatred from them of the then Commissioner. The unfortunate episode was that he did not take the lead in declaring his assets, prior to the pronouncement.

However, the current situation may be different in the sense that Mr. Abdul Tejan Cole has already washed his hands off from his private practice and law firm. This is giving a semblance of serious business in the making. It is a known fact that Mr. Abdul Tejan Cole is not a rich man but somebody very content with the little resources he was able to accumulate all these years. Certainly, Members of Parliament, Ministers, Commissioners and Heads of Parastatals are looking forward to see an example from the President who should come out and tell the people, especially the masses that while he was an Insurance executive whether he was able to acquire a house(s) and a number of other properties.

His financial background one would not wish to comment, but the fact remains undisputable that much is expected to be displayed by the President to satisfy the demands of the people.

If the President can boldly take the lead to break the myth and declare his assets; it would go down on record as the first President to declare his assets, but if on the other hand he decides to follow the footsteps of his predecessors, it would be a continuation of the bad precedent already set by leaders of this nation.

Morally, President Koroma would have no foundation or legitimate right to request from his juniors to declare their assets when he has not done so himself. He should be the pace setter this time round so that Sierra Leone would be a country where transparency and accountability takes premium and not a nation-state where the activities continue to be shrouded in secrecy and doubt.

The age of doubt and secrecy are long gone. The 21^st century demands an open book, which everyone can read and make assessment of those in authority. Officials of the last government did ugly things such as enriching and acquiring so much wealth at the expense of the poor tax payers. Some operated and maintained up to this day foreign bank accounts, and other assets leaving the people in abject poverty. This government should operate in a more transparent manner for the benefit of the people and not the governors.

Politics should not be perceived as an avenue of money making or accumulation of property, but the right to serve the people and change their living standards. Mr. President, the earlier the better for you to declare your assets before time runs out, political promises must be fulfilled. Take the lead now for the benefit of your people and maintain your credibility.