Across every sector, we have been hit by unfortunate instances that were underappreciated by citizens across tribes, religions, regions, and levels of literacy.

A little over fifteen years ago, when Late Dr. Minkailu Bah became the Minister of Education, he had a firm resolve to weed out every last ghost teacher on the Government payroll. Not only that some of these ghost teachers untrained and unqualified, but most were paid for doing nothing.

It was an unpopular fight. Though illegal, many households survived on the salaries of these teachers. It meant rendering thousands of Sierra Leoneans jobless and below the poverty index, but he was committed to this singular task. I believe that was his primary or only success story!

Owing to his victory in a fight that made him unpopular and the most hated Minister, he laid a foundation for Dr. Moinina David Sengeh. Certainly, Minkailu Bah had many excesses, but by weeding out ghost teachers, he saved the Government money and made David Sengeh’s job a little bit easier. Today, that same Ministry has Sengeh as another trailblazer. He has recorded tremendous successes and dared to do what nobody did.

Related News

Following this, about a week ago, we witnessed the emergence of another trailblazer – Dr. John Idriss Lahai. The reservoir he wishes to deforest is home to decade-long criminal racketeering. The timbers there are power herbs that sustain the Political life of our two major parties. From face value, this seems to be a more complicated battle, but with a political will, a winnable one.

Undoubtedly, the Free Quality School Education music has been resoundingly loud that the four corners of the earth have danced to its tune. Grants and partnership deals for this sector are like an artist selling millions of records – fans’ appreciation for an excellent job. So far, it has been a success.

However, the revelations made by Dr. John Idriss Lahai might throw a spanner into the works of President Julius Maada Bio. The genuine intention of human capital development as his priority project faces the most significant test in four years. So far, his Inspector General, Clerk of Parliament, and Leader of Government business have all been implicated. Heads of Missions and staff across critical sectors in the civil services have not been left out.

In a nation where integrity is a feather on the cap of every citizen, holders of this honorary degree, fake Bachelor’s and Master’s would have resigned their respective jobs and sued Professor Mohamed Yamba Bangura for defrauding them. Their silence is worrisome! It suggests their knowledge and consent to bearing fake qualifications. If I were a victim, I would not leave TEC behind in my Lawsuit. The task in hand for Dr. Lahai is a trailblazing one, but a possible Lawsuit at a Corporate or Government institution will make history in the corridors of our Courts.

In short, I don’t wish to see the ACC imposing a repayment of all salaries received from employment gained with fake degrees, but I surely want to be alive when the civil and public service gets cleaned. Also, this will force our institutions to go digital and operate with an eagle eye when it comes to verifying credentials. Irrespective of your personal views, this is an ACT that we must support and a fight we must win as a nation. The multiplier effects have far-reaching benefits, and they will tell us how far President Bio can go to improve the human capital of Sierra Leone.

Let’s always embrace and celebrate trailblazers. The rarity of them in our society is terrible; we must motivate them with our unflinching support to keep the fight alive. Continue trailing on John Idriss! History will remember you favorably.