Former Minister of Information and senior member of the All People’s Congress (APC), Hon. Ibrahim Ben Kargbo, has come forward to strongly defend the legacy of the former APC government, insisting that it did not subject Sierra Leoneans to hardship during its decade in power.

Hon. Kargbo maintained that under APC rule, no journalist was ever arrested or sent to Pademba Road Prison, emphasizing the party’s respect for press freedom and democratic values.

Responding to questions on why the APC was voted out after ten years in power, Hon. Kargbo argued that the decision was not necessarily based on public frustration. Rather, he believes it was the natural desire of citizens to see new leadership after a long stretch of governance.

“There was no austerity until Ebola hit,” he explained. “At one point, we were declared the fastest-growing economy in the world. But the outbreak of Ebola destroyed that progress. It shattered the entire country and forced us to declare an austerity, which was never hidden from the public.”

He added that unlike others, the APC does not pretend when faced with national challenges. “When we have difficulty, we say it out. We don’t pretend like everything is okay,” he said.

His remarks come at a time when discussions about governance, economic hardship, and legacy continue to dominate national discourse as Sierra Leone navigates its path toward recovery and development.