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Lawyer and governance specialist Ibrahim Yusuf Bangura has questioned the slow pace of Sierra Leone’s national development, arguing that the country’s ability to deliver rapid improvements during preparations for the ECOWAS Summit demonstrates that greater progress could be achieved with stronger commitment and coordination.
Speaking on Liberty Online TV, Bangura described Sierra Leone’s current development situation as a concern, noting that the speed at which infrastructure upgrades, beautification efforts, and other improvements were completed ahead of the regional summit showed what the country is capable of achieving when there is urgency and focused action.
He pointed to the transformation witnessed within a short period during the summit preparations, including major cleaning exercises and public infrastructure improvements, as evidence that the nation has the capacity to accelerate development.
“There were so many things that changed quickly during the ECOWAS Summit,” Bangura said, questioning why similar levels of urgency and commitment are not consistently applied to broader national development challenges.
“The question then becomes, why are we where we are now?” he asked.
According to Bangura, Sierra Leone’s development challenges are not only about resources but also about the effectiveness of institutions responsible for driving national progress.
He argued that strong institutions should be able to function efficiently without requiring extraordinary interventions or special occasions to deliver results.
“Systems and institutions should function automatically,” Bangura stated, stressing the need for governance structures that consistently produce results.
To further illustrate his argument, Bangura referenced the recent 14-hour parliamentary debate on the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Amendment) Bill, 2025, where he observed a high level of attendance and participation from Members of Parliament.
He noted that the full attendance during the constitutional debate demonstrated that lawmakers can show commitment when they consider an issue a priority, raising questions about why similar dedication is not always reflected in other national matters.
Bangura concluded that Sierra Leone has already demonstrated its ability to achieve rapid progress, urging leaders and institutions to apply the same level of urgency, accountability, and commitment to the country’s long-term development agenda.
He maintained that sustained national transformation requires moving beyond short-term responses and building systems capable of delivering consistent results for citizens.
