Truth be told, nationwide the Independence holiday is generally quiet and peaceful. It’s just that the sociocultural atmosphere typical of Sierra Leone Independence Day celebration is unprecedentedly dark and gloomy. And this is something of a concern to a concerned Sierra Leonean.

Surely and rightly, this is enough to tell our political leaders that the people are not happy. No wonder there is a recent international report that ranks Sierra Leone as the most unhappy in the sub-region.* This is for a reason. In Sierra Leone today, things are not the way they used to be. The people are grimly facing the realities of political deception. Five years of engagement — no goodies, no bliss, no hope.

Really, the masses aren’t happy, to be honest. You see, good life brings happiness. Once a government can’t provide a decent life for its citizens, then the Aristotle’s social contract is broken, and the people have the right and the choice to not renew the contract. This is what we the people should look forward to on June 24. Happy Independence Day. May God help Sierra Leone. May God bless Sierra Leone.