Media and political analyst, Thomas Dixon, has cast doubt on the effectiveness of Sierra Leone’s rebranding efforts stating they are in vain unless the lives of its citizens are significantly improved.

Speaking on AYV Good Morning Show, Dixon emphasized the importance of addressing local issues while the country holds a seat at the United Nations Security Council. He highlighted Sierra Leone’s high maternal mortality rate as a stark contrast to the government’s spending priorities, citing the underutilization of the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) hospital in Lumley.

Dixon questioned the government’s allocation of $28 million to travel expenses while the health sector grapples with challenges. He argued that true rebranding should be reflected in the lives of ordinary citizens.

Responding to Dixon’s claims, State House Press Secretary, Yusuf Keketoma Sandi, acknowledged the significance of the maternal mortality rate but pointed out that other countries in the sub-region have higher rates.

He emphasized the historic nature of Sierra Leone’s presidency of the Security Council and the positive image it projects internationally. Sandi stressed the need to separate domestic issues from the country’s global standing.

“Nobody is saying that price of commodities in the market is not important nor the lives of sierra Leoneans but the two issues should be separated.

“The fact is that for the first time in history of the security council an Africa president to be chair and we have a president that is projecting the country to international communities and that this kind of accomplishment can’t just occur like that, it takes a lot of work.”