OPINION > Something To Think About Political Slogans In Sierra Leone: From Green Revolution To Food Security Now Attitudinal Change Posted by on Apr 30, 2008, 09:11

In most cases, because of intellectual curiosity and concerns, debates of various natures are developed. Some debates are focused on the economy of the state, global and regional. Others are purely political. In this article political statements of our past leaders are re-examined, analyzed and reasons suggested as to why some of their statements either failed to achieve the desired results or made no impact on the lives and living standards of the people.

Sierra Leoneans can vividly recalled several political pronouncements made by our previous leaders that directly affect the people; unfortunately, they remained as ordinary political pronouncements which resultantly haunt the leaders and are made mockery of them, by the electorate as well their colleague politicians. Critical assessment of some of these pronouncements, some of the time point to the enthusiasm of our leaders to transmit their thoughts, intentions and actions into concrete realities for the benefit of their people or called it the governed.

Single-handedly, the leaders cannot transform their thoughts, intentions or any programme into reality without the full cooperation of the general public, including cabinet ministers. It is on that note that leaders and presidents usually called on the general public to put all hands on deck for the purpose of nation building and the improvement of humanity. Sadly, most of the time their thoughts and intentions are betrayed by the governed as a result of several factors which include but not limited to self-centeredness, greed and above all; unpatriotism. Candidly, if most of the programmes initiated by our leaders are pursued nationalistically, by this time round Sierra Leone would have since transformed herself from a begging state to that of a Good Samaritan, philanthropist and a nation of producers not consumers.

It is true that the global economy is not favourable to any state or region, let alone Sierra Leone, that notwithstanding; if early preparation had been made, probably this unfavourable condition would not have befallen the world.

The war waged by America against terrorists has contributed immensely to the present global predicament. Also, the rise of the euro against the dollars so short a time has left the economies of most countries devastating. One would not like to say; in a state of shamble, but the situation if allowed to continue may not be different from the real meaning of the word.

In 1985, when the late Joseph Saidu Momoh assumed the mantle of leadership of this nation, among his agendas was to re-visit the production capacity of the country. His dream was to see how Sierra Leone can be self- reliant, a nation he envisaged to be productive.

The late Joseph Saidu Momoh devised a programme that he called collectively with his Cabinet Ministers “Green Revolution”. The concept, no doubt was a very good initiative if it was grasped, pursued and implemented to the fullest. Funds and relevant logistics to fast track the programmes and give meaning to it were provided by the international community and other sympathetic nations in the world. The rational for revisiting history is not for the purpose of fantasy but to bring to focus and jogged the memories of Sierra Leoneans that programmes for food production and self sufficiency had long been  initiated by one or all of our past leaders, who probably  had peeped into the future.

After the failure of the Green Revolution project and the demise of the APC government in 1992, following the NPRC coup , Alhaji Ahmad Tejan Kabbah took over the reins of government in 1996 after the four-year rule of the NPRC. In a different style, Alhaji Ahmad Tejan Kabbah revisited the Green Revolution programme and called it “Food Security”. Again, huge funds and logistics were provided under the administration of the Ministry of Agriculture. One would not say categorically that the food security programme failed miserably like the previous Green Revolution. Certain percentage of success story was realized but not to the appreciation of the general public.

The contribution of the public in the realization of presidential dreams play significant role in national development and the good of the nation. The failures of most development and national projects are as a result of the behaviour of the people who are the direct beneficiaries. This reminds me of the recently launched Attitudinal and Behavioural project launched by the current President, Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma at State House. The project is the brain child of the present leadership. Having studied, though not a social scientist, but his up bringing and long stay in the country has proved to him that the failures of projects in the country whether initiated by leaders or organizations are principally as a result of the attitude and behaviour of the implementers and the beneficiaries. The fact remains undisputedly true that human behavioural patterns are unpredictable, and because of that reason, the current leadership is soliciting a change from negative to positive for the development of the country. One could describe him as a selfless and unassuming leader, if he were not; he could have held on to the notion that all Sierra Leoneans are patriotic. But what is evident is the fact that our attitudes and behaviours have negatively impacted on us and the nation as a whole.

Since 1961 to date, Sierra Leoneans have distanced themselves from the realities of developments. When will our sense of patriotism and nationalism lead us to the right path? This is the question we should be asking ourselves as we move with the 21^st Century. The attitudinal and behavioural change project is a programme of self consciousness. It was designed to awaken us from our world of shadows to realize that Sierra Leone is the only country that belongs to us where we can live in peace but not in pieces. Whatever development efforts we make will always stay in the country and not be transported in parts or bulk to another country. This should be the period of real reflection and sober thinking. This particular project embraces all past and new projects to be undertaking in the interest of the country. As Christ spoke to his disciples in parables so the president has done few days back. He has told us clearly that as Sierra Leoneans, we refuse to think, work and behave positively we shall continue to retrogress. This is a challenge to every one of us, journalists, civil servants, traders, engineers you name it; that it is time to know that development in any form cannot take place when the minds are negative.