The Responsibility for Sierra Leone’s Backwardness: Citizens or Politicians?

Sierra Leone, a country blessed with abundant natural resources and rich cultural heritage, remains in a state of stagnation and underdevelopment.

While the political elite often bear the brunt of the blame, it is essential to acknowledge that the root cause of the nation’s backwardness lies not only with the politicians but also with the citizens themselves.

The question we must ask ourselves is: who is more responsible for the situation we find ourselves in—our politicians or us, the ordinary Sierra Leoneans?

The political landscape in Sierra Leone is deeply polarized, with regional and party affiliations heavily influencing the mind-set of the citizenry. This division not only hampers national unity but also clouds the collective vision for the future of the country. Citizens vote in their leaders, but their choices often reflect personal, regional, or party interests rather than a genuine commitment to the country’s long-term development. The blame game begins here. Politicians may be responsible for policies and governance, but the people who choose them and give them power must also take responsibility for the outcome of their decisions.

It is easy to criticize politicians for the dilapidated state of the country’s infrastructure, poor public services, and on-going poverty. However, it is often the case that citizens themselves contribute to the problems. For example, street lights and pedestrian barriers installed by the government to ensure safety are often vandalized or stolen, leaving the streets unprotected. Is this the fault of the politicians who initiated the projects, or is it the citizens who destroy what is meant to improve their lives? Similarly, when the government announces a decrease in transportation prices, Keke and Okada riders decide to set their own prices, disregarding the government’s directive. Passengers continue to suffer from high transportation costs, and yet the citizens refuse to obey the law, further exacerbating the situation. Can we blame politicians for these actions?

Public holidays in Sierra Leone are another example of how citizens contribute to the country’s challenges. While these days are meant to honor the nation’s history or promote unity, many market vendors seize the opportunity to double commodity prices, taking advantage of people’s need to celebrate or purchase essential items. In this way, the actions of citizens, not politicians, are responsible for making life more difficult for the average Sierra Leonean. The government may not always be perfect, but it cannot control the greed and exploitation that is often exhibited at the grassroots level.

The electricity crisis in Sierra Leone is another area where citizens share the blame. The government has invested in providing electricity through power stations and transformers across the country. Yet, decades of power outages and unreliable supply persist. However, we cannot ignore the fact that the theft of these critical infrastructures and the lack of maintenance by citizens is a major contributor to this issue. Is this the fault of politicians, or is it the failure of the citizens to protect and value state assets?

The healthcare sector, which has received significant investment from successive governments, is another glaring example. The government has spent considerable resources on providing medical facilities, equipment, and drugs. Yet, the healthcare system is still underperforming due to widespread corruption. Medical supplies are stolen, and doctors often refer patients to their private practices. This corruption at every level of the healthcare system undermines the government’s efforts to provide adequate services for the people. However, it is not only the politicians who are responsible for this failure. Citizens, including healthcare workers, must take responsibility for perpetuating these corrupt practices. If we, as a society, allowed accountability, fairness, and integrity to reign, our healthcare system could be a model for other nations.

The civil service, where many government employees enjoy job security, is another area of concern. Too often, civil servants arrive late, leave early, and fail to be responsive to the needs of the public. They treat their jobs with indifference, showing no urgency or commitment to serving the nation. This lack of professionalism, responsibility, and pride in public service weakens the effectiveness of the government and diminishes the trust of the citizens. But the citizens must also be honest with themselves—why is this happening? Is it not because they have, for decades, allowed this culture of inefficiency to fester without holding individuals accountable?

We, as citizens, must recognize that we are not mere victims of the political system. We are contributors to the country’s challenges. Over the past 60 years, Sierra Leone has faced numerous setbacks, and while politicians are undeniably responsible for their actions, we cannot absolve ourselves of the blame. The tendency to destroy what is meant to benefit us, the refusal to obey lawful directives, the willingness to exploit each other for personal gain—these actions collectively contribute to the underdevelopment and stagnation of the nation.

It is time for Sierra Leoneans to change their mind-set. We must take collective responsibility for the state of our country. The blame game has gone on for too long. Our love for Sierra Leone must transcend political, ethnic, and regional divides. Our allegiance should not be to political parties but to the prosperity of our nation. When we cast our votes, we must do so with the understanding that we are choosing leaders who will guide the nation toward development—not for personal gain, but for the collective good.

We must value and protect the assets of our country. Whether it’s a street light, a transformer, or a public facility, we must act as stewards of the nation’s resources. We must abandon the culture of greed and corruption and embrace accountability, hard work, and patriotism.

The path to a prosperous Sierra Leone lies in the hands of both our leaders and us. We must stop waiting for the politicians to change; we must change ourselves. Sierra Leone’s future depends on each citizen’s willingness to contribute positively to the country’s growth and development. If we continue to blame politicians without reflecting on our own role, we risk condemning our nation to perpetual underdevelopment. It is time for a new beginning—one where both citizens and politicians work together for the common good.

Sierra Leone’s future is hanging by a thread. Will we rise above our divisions and take responsibility for our actions? Or will we continue down the path of self-destruction? The choice is ours.