In a more serious country, Former Central Bank Governor, Professor. Kelfala M. Kallon , a professor who could not translate his economic theories into practice, with many of his regime should be facing charges, for mismanagement and prioritizing powerful minority interest over the need of the struggling majority.
Despite neglecting essentials like good roads, food, leadership and governance, Prof. Kallon and cohorts – Government – wasted a whopping 68 Million Dollars on political pursuit, under the guise of “redomination of the Leone” – Three zeros off the Leone – and stabilizing the economy.
Looking back at the pedigree of Prof. Kallon, one might have probably thought, Sierra Leone’s Economy was on a pathway to prosperity and productive, after it had improved and grew by 6.06% – post Ebola – and significantly by 20.72% in 2013, under the leader of erstwhile President Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma. But guess what? It turns out to be an economic sabotage against the people of Sierra Leone.
Prof. Kallon inefficacious redomination policy was relatively designed to convince citizens and investors that, hyperinflation had been relegated to the dust-bins of history, and the economy was stable; wasn’t going to affect businesses and homes. In turn, Most people will think prices of goods are cheaper because of the omission of three zeros from the previous currency. Consequently, the value of the Leone has collapsed; extremely rapid increase of prices in food and non – food items, is inevitably forcing citizens to spend monies, as soon as they received it, and that has significantly impacted citizens to loose confidence and hope in the government and its institutions, following the aftermath of an election that raises legitimacy concerns, characterized by lack of transparency in the voting tallying.
Prior to Prof. Kallon and Cohorts political pursuit in the guise of redomination. The nation had recorded the lowest inflation rates at 6.69% amid Ebola. Despite with such crisis ravaging several businesses in the country, the then government was literally able to maintain and control the economy for the majority of its citizens, without any political pursuit.
Between 2018 – 2021 Sierra Leone started to record the highest inflation rates by more than 27% according to World bank. Thereafter with the redomination of the Leone in 2022, the nation’s currency become devalued and inflation rises to more than 44%, putting the country second (2) with the highest inflation rates in Africa behind Zimbabwe.
Undeniably, the suffering and hardship of citizens has no ending point. Local Businesses are collapsing and manufacturing products are becoming increasingly expensive. Interestingly, Prof. Kallon pointless redomination of the Leone has left us with two currencies roaming in the country; unable to phase out the old currency, as a result of inability to print enough new currencies.
Given the current atmosphere characterized by many factors, including not only calls by international partners for transparency in the June 24th General Elections, there is no cause of hope to citizens that, something may change in the Economy without addressing those concerns. Would things be better? We don’t think so, as the exchange rates keep soaring, businesses collapsing and the Leone keeps on devaluing.
Whilst the economy keeps on suffering from rising inflation. Is high time citizens brace up for the unprecedented turbulence coming.
What can you say about the austerity measure the country was during the former government under the leadership of Ernest Bia Koroma?
who is the current bank governor of sierra leone now