Re: Re: [Leonenet] Re: [SLPW] '2602' Fw: [SALONEDiscussion] BRAIN DRAIN: A Real Problem in Sierra Leone

icau...@verizon.net

unread,

Jun 17, 2013, 3:24:39 PM6/17/13

to slpoli...@googlegroups.com

John, may I jump in here to say, corruption is rampant in the world not just in Sierra Leone. I am willing to bet we learned about corruption from those who came for our natural resources centuries ago. I do not think our cultures are any more despotic than any other culture of the world. In our case, corruption was made 'state of the art' by Shaki, and subsequent generations and governments know no other way to behave. Indeed, the attitude seems have been 'After all this is Sierra Leone'!!!! Do you remember the jokes about Shaki flying in a plane with some other European head of state and gleefully declaring ' We have just passed Sierra Leone', when he hangs his arm out of the window and his expensive watch is grabbed off his arm? He must have thought it was funny the. I will say, EBK's government is really trying to eradicate this trend. Indeed, it is the most honest effort I have seen since the Shaki days. But it will take a long time to eradicate it completely, and it may mean one or two generations will have to die off before we see a change. But we cannot stop trying to influence those we interact with (often on a one to one basis and by our own example} of straight forward behavior, and about what honesty looks like.

I am still in Sierra Leone and enjoying my stay here. Things are going well in the village

Cheers

Imodadowlenn

On 0eration6/15/13, john leigh<johnern...@yahoo.com> wrote:not just in Sierra Leonuentn d

Mustapha, I have not read the 2011 GoSL Audit Report but won't be surprised to seme a litany of corrupt happenings reported within our Civil Service and so-called parastatals. Corrupt practices are widespread in SL because corrupt practices are ingrained in our various despotic cultures from which our public officials emerged. So whether the APC or SLPP is in power, GoSL audit reports will keep on citing corrupt practices among our public officials. This does not mean that all corruption is the same. They are not. Petite corruption by a government clerk is definitely different from grand corruption by the Head of State/Government either by himself or in collusion with any of his ministers, etc. Where the Head of State/Government is clean as in EBK's APC Admin, there is much hope that corruption by his subordinates will be prosecuted and reduced as is happening today. But when the Junta Chairman is a crook - broke-balancing military purchases, banking stolen public funds in the Channels Islands, duping his batomen, etc. and ably assisted by passport crooks, convicted ombudsmen, fraudulent oil negotiators in collusion with Afro-Lebaneses tomato-paste/vegetable oil importers and other high-powered creeps, then there is no hope whatsoever to reign in corruption during their incumbencies. To equate Petite Corruption with Grand Corruption is to ignore the vast difference between nation-building and nation-wrecking. EBK is building our country day by day despite the menance of rampant petite corruption. Bio and his surrounding henchmen are bona fide grande corrupt nation wreckers.

Regards,

JL

From: mustapha sesay <mse...@yahoo.com>
To: "slpoli...@googlegroups.com" <slpoli...@googlegroups.com>; "johnern...@yahoo.com" <johnern...@yahoo.com>
Cc: "leon...@lists.umbc.edu" <leon...@lists.umbc.edu>
Sent: Friday, June 14, 2013 10:32 AM
Subject: Re: [Leonenet] Re: [SLPW] '2597' Fw: [SALONEDiscussion] BRAIN DRAIN: A Real Problem in Sierra Leone

Ambassador,

Have you read the 2011 audit report. If not, please do. APC is corrupt from top to bottom. It is fair to say almost all SL politicians are corrupt. Corruption is corruption and we cannot scale it as petite or big.

Mustapha

From: "anl...@aol.com" <anl...@aol.com>
To: slpoli...@googlegroups.com; johnern...@yahoo.com
Cc: leon...@lists.umbc.edu
Sent: Thursday, June 13, 2013 7:06 PM
Subject: Re: [Leonenet] Re: [SLPW] '2594' Fw: [SALONEDiscussion] BRAIN DRAIN: A Real Problem in Sierra Leone

Thanks JOHN for your clarification, WE CAN NOT GET a better
clarification than form this. Amb. leigh served most part of the S L
P P government as an insider and participant of the then government,
I believe he knows what he is talking about. No corruption at Earnest
Koroma'S door steps ??????

-----Original Message-----
From: Cecil (CJ) John <c...@virtualdeveloper.com>
To: john leigh <johnern...@yahoo.com>
Cc: leonenet <leon...@lists.umbc.edu>; slpolicywatch
<slpoli...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Thu, Jun 13, 2013 6:22 pm
Subject: Re: [Leonenet] Re: [SLPW] '2593' Fw: [SALONEDiscussion] BRAIN
DRAIN: A Real Problem in Sierra Leone

Thanks once again John, you're response is very encouraging. I must say
that I observed tremendous improvements in the road infrastructure when
I was back home in 2011. I also hear similar reports about the
provinces.

Sincerely,

CJ

On Jun 13, 2013, at 6:13 PM, "john leigh"
<johnern...@yahoo.com> wrote:

CJ, I assume you are inquiring about corruption within APC ("the
existing party") and the SLPP.

As I understand matters, there is one big difference between the two
parties on the corruption issue. SLPP is corrupt from the top to the
bottom, both in its internal management and when in national
governance. Nation-building is not their top priority despite a pledge
to strive for that objective in December 1995 that I participated in.
In my experience, everyone in any leadership position in that party is
or was on the make - using their offices for personal gain. In
selecting leadership candidates, personal gain and tribal hegemony are
dispositive determinants.

In the APC, corruption do exists but it is mostly petite corruption as
defined by Hon. Clair Short, then UK"s Overseas Development Minister.
An attempt at grand corruption was caught late last year and the
alleged perpetrator sidelined in the new government. Neither petite
nor grand corruption has reached EBK's doorsteps and he is making every
effort to diversify the party's support base.

Today, the APC is firmly anchored in the Western Area and its support
is spreading in minority areas in the southeast long dominated by the
majority tribe there that forced its language and customs on
minorities. Some among SE minorities now want liberation. Slpp has no
significant support outside its heartland or main tribe. Of the votes
it secured in the Western Area, 99.9% or therebout came from migrants
into the Western Area from the Southeast. It secured only 48,500 votes
in the North mainly from descendants/relatives of northern
officeholders, some going as far back as Sir Milton.

That's been my take over several years. In fact, I campaigned about
that possible demographic voting pattern determining the 2012
presidential election during the 2011 slpp flag bearer contest but it
did not make much sense to any of the party's money grubbing tribal
functionaries.

Regards,
JL

From: Cecil (CJ) John <c...@virtualdeveloper.com>
To: "<leon...@lists.umbc.edu>" <leon...@lists.umbc.edu>;
john leigh <johnern...@yahoo.com>
Cc: "slpoli...@googlegroups.com"
<slpoli...@googlegroups.com>;
"<leon...@lists.umbc.edu>" <leon...@lists.umbc.edu>
Sent: Thursday, June 13, 2013 5:37 PM
Subject: Re: [Leonenet] Re: [SLPW] '2587' Fw: [SALONEDiscussion] BRAIN
DRAIN: A Real Problem in Sierra Leone

John,

Can we be reasonably certain that members of the existing party aren't
equally or more corrupt than those of the SLPP?

This is an honest question because I don't know the answer. I've never
examined any evidence to the contrary.

Kindest regards,

CJ

On Jun 13, 2013, at 5:16 PM, "john leigh"
<johnern...@yahoo.com> wrote:

Our people do not think that way, CJ. They go into politics to make
money via stealing public funds, confiscating public assets, taking
bribes and/or extorting money from people needing government assistance
to do business. When some fairly wealthy SLeonean goes into politics,
they view him/her as a target to "eat" his/her money. The people in my
previous party do not care about selecting nation-building candidates.
They concern themselves with supporting those like them who are in
politics to line their pockets. Pathetic!
JL

From: Cecil (CJ) John <c...@virtualdeveloper.com>
To: "<leon...@lists.umbc.edu>" <leon...@lists.umbc.edu>;
john leigh <johnern...@yahoo.com>
Cc: "slpoli...@googlegroups.com"
<slpoli...@googlegroups.com>; "leon...@lists.umbc.edu"
<leon...@lists.umbc.edu>
Sent: Thursday, June 13, 2013 4:22 PM
Subject: Re: [Leonenet] Re: [SLPW] '2587' Fw: [SALONEDiscussion] BRAIN
DRAIN: A Real Problem in Sierra Leone

I have lived in the UK and USA for very long periods of time and
observed that pretty much most if not ALL political candidates tend to
be affluent self made citizens in their own right.

In my opinion, a MAJOR reason we have corruption in our countries is
that typically the reverse is true. It's extremely naive to hope that
our representatives can survive on the meager compensation they receive.

A significant proportion of those in the Diaspora are moving towards
having the healthy income and balance statements that would make them
more suited to avoid the "conflict of interest) that plagues our
leaders.

I don't think the Diaspora should be viewed as "job" or "opportunity"
hunters but probably the most likely candidates to return home purely
for altruistic reasons. Quite simply because they can afford it.

CJ

On Jun 13, 2013, at 4:08 PM, "john leigh"
<johnern...@yahoo.com> wrote:

Mustapha, it has been fully explained by JFSuma in the post I responded
to.
JL

From: mustapha sesay <mse...@yahoo.com>
To: "slpoli...@googlegroups.com"
<slpoli...@googlegroups.com>; "leon...@lists.umbc.edu"
<leon...@lists.umbc.edu>
Sent: Thursday, June 13, 2013 3:45 PM
Subject: Re: [SLPW] '2585' Fw: [SALONEDiscussion] BRAIN DRAIN: A Real
Problem in Sierra Leone

"Finally, please understand this truism: once one is in the midst of a
vortex of corrupt ways, it is
easier and smarter to join them than fight them. Ask me!"

The above quote is from Ambassador Leigh. Could you please expand on
your above statement, for I am confused on how we go about breaking
this cycle of blatant corruption.

Regards,
Mustapha

From: "anl...@aol.com" <anl...@aol.com>
To: slpoli...@googlegroups.com; leon...@lists.umbc.edu
Sent: Thursday, June 13, 2013 12:34 PM
Subject: Re: [SLPW] '2584' Fw: [SALONEDiscussion] BRAIN DRAIN: A Real
Problem in Sierra Leone

Jes-med I feel sorry for all the effort you and others are putting
towards Sa Lone Policy watch.The policy makers are not even paying
attention to our inputs.i see it as a mere waste of our valuable time.
I had a Personal conversation with Madieu Williams who is trying Help
in different ways, and his experience is horrible and shameful. he was
ashamed oh him self taking Americans to sierra Leone in the name of
helping. he confided that it is not encouraging to take any venture
whether business or non- profit, his Lessons are bitter, ask Issiah
Washington he may have the same experience if not worst.

Mohamed L Bah

-----Original Message-----
From: john leigh <johnern...@yahoo.com>
To: leonenet <leon...@lists.umbc.edu>; slpolicywatch
<slpoli...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Thu, Jun 13, 2013 11:53 am
Subject: Re: [SLPW] '2580' Fw: [SALONEDiscussion] BRAIN DRAIN: A Real
Problem in Sierra Leone

The problem of obtaining the type of simple information that JFSuma has
highlighted are the type of problems that need not exist in any
serious-minded country - but Rome was not built in a day! The desired
information ought to be readily available in published sources
including readily available government publications and in the
internet. When basic information needed to do business in a particular
country or essential for a country to be favored as a destination for
direct investments are difficult to obtain, opportunities for freelance
corruption abound as well as foretell a propensity for needless
difficulties ahead in that society.

On the other hand, where there are problems, there are opportunities!
Thus an entrepreneur could search out these types of hard-to-get info
and market them at a profit. The government cannot be expected to do
everything to perfection overnight. Finally, please understand this
truism: once one is in the midst of a vortex of corrupt ways, it is
easier and smarter to join them than fight them. Ask me!

Regards,
JL

From: JFSuma <suma...@yahoo.com>
To: Salone Policy Group <slpoli...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, June 13, 2013 10:57 AM
Subject: [SLPW] '2579' Fw: [SALONEDiscussion] BRAIN DRAIN: A Real
Problem in Sierra Leone

Amadu et all,
I believe Granville Jones said it best and to buttress his point, I can
deal with the black out, deal with the bad roads, lack of pipe borne
water and many other setbacks that most have noted so far, but what I
cannot deal with is the lack of accountability, corruption and the
break in the rule of law.
I know I would not be able to stomach nor would I have the temperament
for someone to deliberately and endlessly delay the processing of my
papers in any govt depart. after I have followed all official
requirements and made all necessary payments because they want to force
me to bribe them. I just would not afford to be silent about it. I
would write about it and I would go after not only the head of
department but also the President for heading a govt that still does
business like we still live in the middle ages. So you see why it would
be difficult for me to function in SL.
It is even more disappointing that when some of our colleagues are
given the opportunity to run certain agencies they turn out to be worst
than the folks on the ground. Even though one my argue that most of
them are just political appointments by which square pegs are placed in
round holes but as young men I would expect them to take advantage of
such opportunities and make a difference for themselves and the
country.
For instance, I have a client who has a prospect in China to supply
Cassava Chips to China he asked me to find out about the process of
exporting from Sierra Leone particularly the port charges for him to
send out a reasonable quote. Since I know the GM at port Authority I
was quick to tell him that it was easy. I sent an email to Abu Bangura
and copied the client asking for these information. You would be
surprised that for months Abu a man I know very well could not send us
the info about port charges. Instead after several months he referred
the matter to guy called Kofi Addai probably a Ghanaian who was not
helpful either. This gave me the curiosity to check on what difference
he has made since he took over the ports authority....to my surprise
the port is not only stinking with the same corrupt practices that we
all know has always hunted this vital department it is even worst.
I also had another client who wanted to find out about custom duty
charges to bring in large solar panels from Sweden I had to turn them
down because I have no way to finding that out from the Department of
Customs. I suggested to Abu please try to get a website for Ports
Authority that would give visitors a complete breakdown of vital
information such as current fees and charges for dockage, wharfage,
demurrage including other Cargo facility charges and services for the
port.
But I later learnt that govt agencies are usually reluctant to provide
such information because it makes it easier to charge different rates
to different people in an effort to make extra money in the process. I
am not accusing Abu of such but I am disappointed that of all people he
does not seem to know the economic benefit of making it easier for
people to process shipments through the ports particularly for
exporting. If I where in Sierra Leone I would go straight to State
House for the answers since the GM at the port cannot provide the
answers.
Until we get the right folks who are determined and committed to help
the president transform the country otherwise change the govt we would
not see any difference five years from now. He is in audience perhaps
he would find time to respond to this disappointing experience.
The truth is we are not there yet.
Jesmed F Suma

From: "granvil...@verizon.net"
<granvil...@verizon.net>
To: SALONEDi...@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, 12 June 2013, 16:41
Subject: Re: Re: [SALONEDiscussion] Re: [Leonenet] Re:
[SierraLeoneNetwork] BRAIN DRAIN: A Real Problem in Sierra Leone

Amadu et al.,

I have been following the discussion about the brain drain problem in
Sierra Leone and stayed a "peeper" for the longest time. The other
participants already addressed some of the major issues such as
electricity, pipe-borne clean water, transparency, less corruption,
etc. I was in Freetown in February after a very long absence, and I am
currently doing a write-up of my experiences and observations, coupled
with some thoughts on what could be done. Whatever we do, there has to
be the will to address some of the underlying problems that are
responsible for the brain drain problem. Many people would like to go
back and contribute to the development of the nation but, life in
Sierra Leone right now appears to be a needless and constant struggle.
When you talk to people, they blame it on the Rebel War. That may very
well be the case but, if we are going to blame the current state of our
nation on the Rebel War, we might as well blame everything that has
happened since Independence on the Rebel War. We must be true to
ourselves and identify the real causes of all our problems, which are
inter-related; lawlessness, corruption, nepotism, lack of
accountability, etc. Not too many people have the fortitude to put up
with that struggle day-in and day-out, so, they opt to go where they do
not have to deal with that whenever they can. The politicians in Sierra
Leone know what needs to be done to get the country back on track, but
whether they are willing to do it is the billion dollar question. There
was a time in Sierra Leone when electricity, pipe-borne water, the rule
of law and accountability were taken for granted. Many of us lived
through it. So, where did we go off track and how do we begin to fix
it? We probably could determine where we went wrong by looking at some
of my thoughts on fixing it. These same thoughts have ben shared by
others over the years.

Where do we begin?
A good place would be the rule of law. Without a very strong rule of
law, nothing else will work. No one should be in doubt about the rule
of law or the consequences for breaking it. I got the sense that anyone
could do whatever they please as long as they have the right
connections. That should never be allowed to happen. The reason
developed countries are far more advanced than we are is because they
have a strong rule of law. When there is a strong rule of law it offers
protection to the most vulnerable. Everyone knows the consequences of
breaking the law, irrespective of political connections.
Accountability, or lack thereof, also has a lot to do with the current
state of our nation. If someone is being paid to perform a certain
function, how do we make sure he or she is? During the two weeks I was
in Freetown (and, I understand, for several weeks before I got there)
there was a sink-hole at the intersection of Kingharman Road and
Brookfields Motor Road. If the government is paying for maintenance of
roads, you cannot convince me the people responsible for the
maintenance of roads did not know about this hole in the middle of
what, by all indications, would be considered a major thoroughfare in
the capital. A couple of days before I left, someone had placed a used
tire and a broken chair in the hole as a caution to drivers. Where is
the accountability?
In order to be able to control any activity, you must be able to
measure it. Measurement appears to be lacking and more important than
ever in Sierra Leone right now. Government services should be provided
within well-defined timeframes, of measurable quality and at
well-defined costs to the public. Performance measurements could be
used as tools to eradicate corruption and waste. The private sector
will function efficiently where there is competition and the rule of
law is enforced equally across the board. Competitive markets will also
address some of the price-distortions that are detrimental to the
average Sierra Leonean. If I could produce and sell something of equal
quality and quantity for a lot less than someone else, why should I
have to jump through hoops by bribing the people in charge to even get
started? If my prices and the quality of my products are not
competitive enough, the market will force me out. The playing field
should be level for all competitors.
Livable wages appear to be non-existent for the average Sierra Leonean.
The wage level needs to be raised to a point where average Sierra
Leoneans could afford the basic necessities without resorting to
corruption. In the public sector, the government could start by pricing
the services it provides correctly, taking into account livable wages
for public servants and making sure some people don’t use the
government’s treasury as their personal bank accounts, directly or
indirectly. We need to recognize that when money that should go to the
treasury goes into the pockets of government officials, this leaves
less money to pay the average public servants for what they do. The
penalty for such action should be severe and should be imposed without
fear or favor. Traditional banking was done when people saved part of
their wages in banks and the banks used those savings to make loans
(without getting into the intricacies of how the calculations are done
to determine what percentage could be used to make loans). The average
Sierra Leonean could barely afford to make ends meet, let alone save
any excess in the banks. It is no surprise to me that banks are
charging about thirty percent, I understand, for business loans. We
need not talk about the other “demands” from the bankers for people
needing business loans. I shiver to think about anyone doing business
under such conditions without putting up one hundred percent of the
capital. Not too many people can do that, hence the lack of competition.

Once people feel comfortable enough that these underlying problems are
being addressed based on verifiable evidence, not rhetoric, a lot of us
will be willing to make that sacrifice. As John Adams once said,
“Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our
inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the
state of facts and evidence.” That's my take.

On 06/12/13, Amadu Massally<salon...@gmail.com> wrote:
On Wed, Jun 12, 2013 at 4:50 PM, john leigh
<johnern...@yahoo.com> wrote:
Gentlemen:

The GoSL needs to come up with a practical approach to attract, train,
equip and mentor/supervise entrepreneurs from all sources, all levels
and all genders, and not just from the Diaspora or of 'top' class.

With what Ambassador Leigh is saying, need I say more then?

Amadu Massally

On Wed, Jun 12, 2013 at 4:50 PM, john leigh
<johnern...@yahoo.com> wrote:
Gentlemen:

The GoSL needs to come up with a practical approach to attract, train,
equip and mentor/supervise entrepreneurs from all sources, all levels
and all genders, and not just from the Diaspora or of 'top' class.
Some 'entrepreneurs' I have encountered in SL are mere cowboys oriented
more towards (i) quickie kapu-kapu, (ii) ostentatious consumption as
well as (iii) the acquisition of more and more wives.

Many of these entrepreneur are as empty of positive values as the
despotic villages from which they've emerged.

Creating a productive class of innovative and hardworking group of
business leaders with morals and respect for ethical dealings can be
done but it won't be easy in our easily corruptible society. And if
such is accomplished, SL will be an altogether different place.

Regards,
JL

From: Cecil (CJ) John <c...@virtualdeveloper.com>

To: "<SALONEDi...@yahoogroups.com>"
<SALONEDi...@yahoogroups.com>
Cc: "SALONEDi...@yahoogroups.com"
<SALONEDi...@yahoogroups.com>; john leigh
<johnern...@yahoo.com>; "leon...@lists.umbc.edu"
<leon...@lists.umbc.edu>;
"<SierraLeo...@yahoogroups.com>"
<SierraLeo...@yahoogroups.com>; FOIS
<fo...@yahoogroups.co.uk>; "apc-wo...@googlegroups.com"
<APC-Wo...@googlegroups.com>; Karamoh Kabba
<kkar...@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 12, 2013 8:05 AM
Subject: Re: [SALONEDiscussion] Re: [Leonenet] Re: [SierraLeoneNetwork]
BRAIN DRAIN: A Real Problem in Sierra Leone

One more point I would like to make is that I'm emphasizing members of
the Diaspora as opposed to foreign direct capital because you would
hope that they would season their capitalistic drive with a dash of
patriotism.

Amadu, you also made a good point about the pleasure you derive from
helping your country. This I think echoes my previous statement about
the joys of self actualization.

CJ

On Jun 12, 2013, at 8:01 AM, "Cecil (CJ) John"
<c...@virtualdeveloper.com> wrote:

Amadu,

It IS the top talent pool of entrepreneurs that will make economic
change that is significant. Sierra Leone has lost most of its own breed
of Bill Gates, Steve Jobs to use a few metaphors from the IT domain.

I don't agree that "many" of the returning diaspora participants gave
up a lot financially abroad in sacrifice for their country. Do you have
any statistics to support this? As I mentioned in my post, MOST of
those who did go back failed to make a decent living or career and SL
seemed like their next best bet. Those that I know of personally are
great minds but for reasons other than lack of talent could not succeed
in the West.

In fact ironically, the most successful people on the ground are by far
the ones that never left or returned a VERY long time ago soon after
completing their studies.

Lastly the statement imploring people to give up their comfortable
lives abroad where they can certainly support their family is not an
incentive. That smacks to me of altruism which is a mindset best
reserved for the voluntary sector of non profits, charities etc.,
Altruism is not the mindset that builds great nations. Lets get serious
and realistic about this.

Sierra Leone does need aid, ngo's to help out people meet their basic
needs so there is always a place for Mother Theresa. What will build
our economy however is the entrepreneurial genius that will gladly take
a calculated risk in hope of profit and reward.

The talent in the diaspora (if we agree they are essential) need to be
wooed and made an offer they can't refuse.

Sincerely,

CJ

On Jun 12, 2013, at 4:04 AM, "Amadu Massally"
<salon...@gmail.com> wrote:

I agree with CJ that GoSL has to be creative in luring diaporans
back home as Mohamed Dumbuya stated a few days ago. However, I am not
too comfortable with the "top talent" isolation or category.

As regards certainty to making any difference then you night as well
forget it. Many of the diaspora returnees are hard working citizens
who gave up a lot to return and make their contributions here as
opposed to there. I am still grossly underpaid relatively to what I
used to or could earn in the US. But the high of contributing is
elsewhere and not in my pay!

I also agree that there seems not to be many contracts going to Sierra
Leone companies. But we may only know one side of the picture. The
other side shows that many times Sierra Leoneans companies by
themselves find it challenging to fund some of these large projects and
believe it or not, the banks (individually at least) who don't have
enough cannot loan them enough to make stronger bids. Other bids from
local content are just plain lousy and not worth a dime. But overall,
both GoSL and the Sierra Leonean private sector should find a happy
medium.he

That is why I continue to copy Minister Karamoh Kabba as the Diaspora
mandate happens to fall in his sphere these days.

Regards,

Amadu Massally

On Mon, Jun 10, 2013 at 8:58 PM, Cecil (CJ) John
<c...@virtualdeveloper.com> wrote:

Thanks John :-)

You make excellent points.

I think the government has to be creative in attracting top talent from
the diaspora. As I mentioned Self Actualization can be highly
fulfilling and a powerful incentive.

I think many of us currently in "economic exile" would really consider
an opportunity to give back to the mother land if we were reasonably
certain we would have the necessary authority to make a difference.

The country should not have to wait until we are ready to retire.

In addition, if the government wants to attract entrepreneurial talent,
the current practice of almost favoring foreigners for the award of
development contracts needs to be reconsidered. Many on the ground in
SL actually complain that even other West Africans stand a better
chance of winning government bids. "A prophet is without honor in his
own land.....".

Warm regards,

CJ

On Jun 10, 2013, at 3:14 PM, "john leigh"
<johnern...@yahoo.com> wrote:

Dear CJ:

My apologies for this delayed response - was simply tied up elsewhere.

I do agree with you that mere economic prosperity at home, without
more, will be insufficient to make a dent on SL (and Africa's) brain
drain issues. But I believe that increased prosperity will definitely
attract more and more members of the SL Diaspora to return home. Those
in the diaspora who have settled well to life abroad and are doing well
socially and economically in the Diaspora are unlikely to give up
everything merely to risk partaking of the improvements at home. And
no matter the improvements at home, they will not get close to the
opportunities and quality of life here for the vast majority of
diasporans. The most many people in the diaspora would do is keep one
foot here while exploring with the other foot how best one may relink
with and get involved in home activities.

To me, lifestyle preferences coupled with economic and social
opportunities gained or to be gained are the key as to where a person
chooses to domicile.
Best regards,
JL

From: Cecil (CJ) John <c...@virtualdeveloper.com>

To: "leon...@lists.umbc.edu" <leon...@lists.umbc.edu>; john
leigh <johnern...@yahoo.com>;
"<SierraLeo...@yahoogroups.com>"
<SierraLeo...@yahoogroups.com>
Cc: salone discussion group <SALONEDi...@yahoogroups.com>;
FOIS <fo...@yahoogroups.co.uk>; "apc-wo...@googlegroups.com"
<APC-Wo...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 5, 2013 1:15 PM
Subject: RE: [Leonenet] Re: [SierraLeoneNetwork] BRAIN DRAIN: A Real
Problem in Sierra Leone [1 Attachment]

Thanks John for your response. I hope this email finds you in great
health and spirits.

I have often thought about what it would take for talented members of
the diaspora to return home. There does seem to be a lot of movement
around Sierra Leoneons going back to Sierra Leone for work or business
opportunities. I am sorry to say though that my observation (and I am
not claiming that it is statistically sound) is that the vast majority
of returnees represent those who for some reason or other were unable
to meet their basic economic needs in their adopted home. So its hard
to conclude that those diasporans that are back on the ground represent
the "best of human capital".

Even in America, there is currently an Exodus of African Americans
seeking the "American Dream" in South Africa. It is not that they are
unable to meet their basic needs in the US but rather they seek a
higher need defined by Maslow as Self Actualization. I feel for example
that if I was to return, I could make a contribution to the development
of the country on a macroeconomic level which I would never have the
opportunity to do in the US. The opportunity to impact a large number
of lives at the scale possible in Sierra Leone (if you are well
connected) is surely an incentive.

Whenever I have thought about relocating back to Sierra Leone, is has
been during a time of economic frustration and shortly after a recent
trip. Sierra Leone can be very seductive with its hot weather and
abundance of low cost labor to help alleviate the physical and mental
toll in running a home and business.

I think the hope of prosperity in Sierra Leone is one part of the
equation and many would return home even if they ended up earning
substantially less in income and assets than they would abroad. Here
are some of the other issues that I believe are formidable obstacles to
reversing the brain drain:

(1) Economic xenophobia from Sierra Leoneons currently living and
working on the ground.
I was amazed during a series of frequent trips during the years
2008-2011 when I was seriously thinking about returning home to start
an IT/Architecture business. My experience was that my professional and
entrepreneurial colleagues viewed me with distruct and as potential
detriment and competitor, so it wasvery hard to network and form the
business relationships necessary to succeed.

(2) Corruption: I have often been awarded contracts from the US
government and private sector entirely via an electronic negotiation
process without ever even meeting the "client". Payment is made on
contract fulfillment directly to my bank account via EFT. My point is
that in the US, I have not had to bribe to win a contract or lucrative
employment and I certainly do not have to bribe to get paid.

(3) Basic utilities and infrastructure:
Whenever I am in Sierra Leone, I don't have a problem with experiencing
"prosperity". The things that make living in the country almost
unbearable are problems with basic electricity, gas and of course
water. I watched my father with great pain having to constantly monitor
the water pipes servicing his home due to justifiable anxiety that they
would be dug up and stolen. When I was last there in April 2011 during
the 50th anniversary celebrations, I literally had to restrict my
vehicle usage because I wanted to avoid running out of petrol or having
to join ridiculously long lines at the gas station.

What I am trying to say is that though the hopes of economic prosperity
would help reverse the brain drain, I am not sure this is a major part
of the equation. If it was, we would not have problems with foreign
direct investors with deep capital pockets investing in the country.

Warmest regards,

CJ
From: leonene...@lists.umbc.edu [leonene...@lists.umbc.edu] on
behalf of john leigh [johnern...@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, June 05, 2013 11:14 AM
To: leon...@lists.umbc.edu;
<SierraLeo...@yahoogroups.com>; Cecil (CJ) John
Cc: salone discussion group; FOIS; apc-wo...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: [Leonenet] Re: [SierraLeoneNetwork] BRAIN DRAIN: A Real
Problem in Sierra Leone [1 Attachment]

Messrs. CJ & Amadu:

People migrate to where they believe (i) economic opportunities are;
(ii) they have contacts and (iii) where they believe they are likely to
be happy. You can see the same problem inside the country. Apart from
Bo, Kenema, Kaffu Bullom and the new mining areas, the migration from
provincial towns to the Western Area is fantastic. Many of those
towns, once vibrant, e.g. Segbewema, Blama, Sumbuya are today mostly
moribund. In the 2011 slpp flag bearer contest, I estimated that 98%
of that party's Western Area voting delegates were migrants from the
Southeast.

If one travels extensively in the South, he or she will come to towns
and villages with virtually no young people resident there. Many young
people in Freetown will readily tell you that they've fled from
provincial despotism especially in "woman palava" conflicts.

Democracy and nationwide prosperity are the keys to containing our
brain drain and even reversing it. Prosperity to the average citizen is
gainful employment generating a living wage in a community with quality
of life amenities. Poor and delayed wages and an obsolete
infrastructure, coupled with vast opportunities abroad, are the
principal causes behind the brain drain in the medical sector.

Regards,
JL

From: Cecil (CJ) John <c...@virtualdeveloper.com>
To: "<SierraLeo...@yahoogroups.com>"
<SierraLeo...@yahoogroups.com>
Cc: salone discussion group <SALONEDi...@yahoogroups.com>;
"leon...@lists.umbc.edu" <leon...@lists.umbc.edu>; Sierra Leone
Network <SierraLeo...@yahoogroups.com>; FOIS
<fo...@yahoogroups.co.uk>; "apc-wo...@googlegroups.com"
<APC-Wo...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 5, 2013 9:46 AM
Subject: [Leonenet] Re: [SierraLeoneNetwork] BRAIN DRAIN: A Real
Problem in Sierra Leone [1 Attachment]

Thanks Amadu,

Do you have data that highlights where people are emigrating to? I
wonder what percentage are relocating to neighboring sub Saharan
African countries.

CJ

On Jun 5, 2013, at 7:14 AM, "Amadu Massally"
<salon...@gmail.com> wrote:

[Attachment(s) from Amadu Massally included below] The information
below is derived from the research that we have been doing re: the
constraints analysis. While the report is not ready for distribution
yet one feels obliged to share some of the research material as they
impact our daily existence as Sierra Leoneans both within and without
the country. This one happens to speak to the serious deficiency in
human capital our country enjoys, for want of a better term.

Please consult the attachment if the charts do not show in the email...
and if you care to consult them.
=====================================================

In the 2012 – 2013 Global competitiveness report, Sierra Leone records
the lowest score among it comparators when it comes to the country’s
ability to retain and attract talented people. This is shown in figure
7.16 where Sierra Leone records a score of 2.3 out of a maximum of 7,
leaving it some way behind its comparators. This is reinforced by the
fact that between 1990 and 2010 the trend shows that the rate at which
tertiary educated Sierra Leoneans left the country permanently to
settle in another country was one of the highest as seen in figure
7.17. So, what the evidence shows clearly is that Sierra Leone has been
suffering from ‘brain drain’ disproportionally when compared with some
of its peers though Liberia for example, also experiences a similar
fate.

Figure 7.16 Brain Drain, 2012

Source: WEF, Global Competitiveness Report, 2012-2013[1]

Figure 7.17 Rate of Emigration from Sierra Leone, 2012

Source: World Bank, WDI

Figure 7.18 Net Migrations, 2012

Source: World Bank, WDI
[1]Does your country retain and attract talented people? (1 = no, the
best and the brightest normally leave to pursue opportunities in other
countries; 7 = yes, there are many opportunities for talented people
within the country);

Regards,
--
Amadu Massally

------ Well, I will act as the spokesperson for all those who vainly
seek a forum in [SL] from which to make themselves heard. ~ Thomas
Sankara

--
Amadu Massally

------ Well, I will act as the spokesperson for all those who vainly
seek a forum in [SL] from which to make themselves heard. ~ Thomas
Sankara

--
Amadu Massally

------Well, I will act as the spokesperson for all those who vainly
seek a forum in [SL] from which to make themselves heard. ~ Thomas
Sankara

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Amadu Massally

unread,

Jun 19, 2013, 2:53:57 PM6/19/13

to slpoli...@googlegroups.com, salone discussion group

On Mon, Jun 17, 2013 at 8:24 PM, <icau...@verizon.net> wrote:
I will say, EBK's government is really trying to eradicate this trend. Indeed, it is the most honest effort I have seen since the Shaki days.

Imodadowlenn,

I also agree with you that this GoSL under the leadership of President Koroma has impressed some of us with regard to attempting to eradicate corruption even thought we know it still exists in just every fabric of our society. I want to, however, posit what credible international organizations are saying about corruption in Sierra Leone so we can get rid off the pro and con biases.

Transparency International's Corruption Perception Index (CPI) has shown that Sierra Leone has been improving in the annual scoring of countries' perception of corruption.
The World Governance Indicators under their control of corruption indicator has sown a similar trend that the attempt to stomp corruption has increased and shows in their reports in recent years.
Finally, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) has control of corruption as one of its most serious indicators in the twenty they measure every year. In fact, even if you are passing 19 out of twenty and do not pass the control of corruption indicator, the organization will not engage you. But that we are now passing 12 out of twenty and the corruption indicator, especially, speaks volumes with regard to where we are with not only "corruption" but the overall governance of our country. Clearly good things are happening!

After being an advocate for the people with a flavor of civil society those who know know, I threw myself into the governance realm of President Koroma and thereby his party that he leads because I know, like you, Imodadowlenn, that his is the most honest effort that I have also seen (over and beyond just corruption) since the days of President Stevens. No doubt! And therefore when I see other international organizations touting the horn of this government and thereby creating more opportunities for development (like the MCC does) one feels vindicated that this is not merely blind or biased support, but that one is sane in making the move to contribute to an effort that is geared towards ending the long-suffering of our kinfolk.

In conclusion, I believe that this country is on the verge of a positive change and shock or no shock, we are committed to see and make it happen.

Regards,

Amadu Massally

On Mon, Jun 17, 2013 at 8:24 PM, <icau...@verizon.net> wrote:

John, may I jump in here to say, corruption is rampant in the world not just in Sierra Leone. I am willing to bet we learned about corruption from those who came for our natural resources centuries ago. I do not think our cultures are any more despotic than any other culture of the world. In our case, corruption was made 'state of the art' by Shaki, and subsequent generations and governments know no other way to behave. Indeed, the attitude seems have been 'After all this is Sierra Leone'!!!! Do you remember the jokes about Shaki flying in a plane with some other European head of state and gleefully declaring ' We have just passed Sierra Leone', when he hangs his arm out of the window and his expensive watch is grabbed off his arm? He must have thought it was funny the. I will say, EBK's government is really trying to eradicate this trend. Indeed, it is the most honest effort I have seen since the Shaki days. But it will take a long time to eradicate it completely, and it may mean one or two generations will have to die off before we see a change. But we cannot stop trying to influence those we interact with (often on a one to one basis and by our own example} of straight forward behavior, and about what honesty looks like.

I am still in Sierra Leone and enjoying my stay here. Things are going well in the village
Cheers
Imodadowlenn

On 0eration6/15/13, john leigh<johnern...@yahoo.com> wrote:not just in Sierra Leonuentn d

Mustapha, I have not read the 2011 GoSL Audit Report but won't be surprised to see a litany of corrupt happenings reported within our Civil Service and so-called parastatals. Corrupt practices are widespread in SL because corrupt practices are ingrained in our various despotic cultures from which our public officials emerged. So whether the APC or SLPP is in power, GoSL audit reports will keep on citing corrupt practices among our public officials. This does not mean that all corruption is the same. They are not. Petite corruption by a government clerk is definitely different from grand corruption by the Head of State/Government either by himself or in collusion with any of his ministers, etc. Where the Head of State/Government is clean as in EBK's APC Admin, there is much hope that corruption by his subordinates will be prosecuted and reduced as is happening today. But when the Junta Chairman is a crook - broke-balancing military purchases, banking stolen public funds in the Channels Islands, duping his batomen, etc. and ably assisted by passport crooks, convicted ombudsmen, fraudulent oil negotiators in collusion with Afro-Lebaneses tomato-paste/vegetable oil importers and other high-powered creeps, then there is no hope whatsoever to reign in corruption during their incumbencies. To equate Petite Corruption with Grand Corruption is to ignore the vast difference between nation-building and nation-wrecking. EBK is building our country day by day despite the menance of rampant petite corruption. Bio and his surrounding henchmen are bona fide grande corrupt nation wreckers.

john leigh

unread,

Jun 21, 2013, 1:12:57 PM6/21/13

to slpoli...@googlegroups.com, salone discussion group

Hello Imy, glad to hear from you.

True, corruption is worldwide but the devastating impact of corruption is felt more in threadbare places like SL that simply can't afford it and whose people had suffered tremendously from years of corruption mindlessly perpetrated by our leaders and their followers. In this regard, I truly believe that devastating corruption began, not with Pa Sheki but with Albert Margai who rushed to upset the civil service apple cart by overpopulating it with new recruits that had emerged from remote villages and who did not understand the true role of public services in a modern state. Those newcomers did it the way they conduct business in their despotic communities - kapu-kapu, favorism, nepotism, deceit, irrational, instant gratification, etc.

Like you have correctly pointed out, EBK is the one president who is making a sustained, systematic effort at controlling/containing the incidence of corruption in SL. Some successes have been achieved since 2008 but the road ahead is still long and difficult. The key problem is that incomes of public servants and other wage earners, though improved are still tiny while their decision-making clout is substantial and where their social responsibilities are large and keep on expanding.

Last time I looked, the average age of a Sierra Leonean was 17 years. It might have deteriorated to below 16 years by now given the population explosion that is on-going in our country. This rapid decline in our population's average age means that our poorly paid wage earners are under heavier pressure to help their dependent extended families. According to a Canadian NGO study I read a few years back, the average Sierra Leone wage earner has an extended dependent family of 60 persons.

Despite recent new employment in the mines, in agriculture and in street trading, I do not believe that the 'dependent population ratio' has improved to less than 1:60. In fact it might be much worse, say 1:75. This may translate into an increased propensity to choose corrupt means to 'meet-up' for whatever their individual station in life may require.

Hence the donor nations'/multilateral organizations' embracement of EBK's regime, coupled with it's gains in improving the control and containment of corruption as reported by Transparency International (thanks Mr. Amadu Massalay), clearly demonstrate that EBK is doing a lot on a systematic basis to address the corruption issue than regimes going all the way back to Sir Albert's. Again, the road ahead is long and difficult!

And please forget about eradicating corrupt. It is not going to happen.

As for the issue of despotism, I will disagree with you forever that our cultures are no more despotic than any other culture of the world. My own view is that any culture that brazenly produces a small junta boy of unimaginable wickedness, thieving and wall-to-wall lies - and surrounded by pathetic crooks - as its much beloved and respected Great Hope for our country to unseat a proven nation builder struggling against massive odds in a war-wrecked, poverty-stricken country can be nothing short of been absolutely despotic. The cultures of many, many democratic countries around the world will never subscribe to the tribal despotic rationale that put their willing people in that hopeless situation.

With all good wishes,
JL

From: Amadu Massally <salon...@gmail.com>
To: slpoli...@googlegroups.com
Cc: salone discussion group <SALONEDi...@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, June 19, 2013 2:53 PM
Subject: Re: Re: [Leonenet] Re: [SLPW] '2626' Fw: [SALONEDiscussion] BRAIN DRAIN: A Real Problem in Sierra Leone

ken kallon

unread,

Jun 21, 2013, 6:30:39 PM6/21/13

to slpoli...@googlegroups.com

JEL,

Before we lay all the blame for whatever ails Sierra Leone at the feet of Sir Albert, let us remember that he was Prime Minister from 1964 to 1967, barely three years; and in my opinion not sufficient time to be completely responsible for the chaos that has befallen Sierra Leone. I also disagree that he rushed "to upset the civil service apple cart by overpopulating it with new recruits that had emerged from remote villages" as you have repeated ad infinitum. The likes of P.L. Tucker were not the country bumkins that you fantasize. They were highly educated and experienced administrators who in fact ran the civil service quite competently. Besides many of them were already in place when Sir Albert became PM in April 1964. Your persistencve in this fallacy therefore is more witness to your own inner condition than a representation of facts.

Let me also share with you another take on the transition that took place in the civil service which actually started in 1957 when Sierra Leone assumed internal rule and Sir Milton became Prime Minister. Hitherto he was Chief Minister. For most of Sierra Leone's history Krios ran the civil service and ran it very well. By 1957 through 1961 however many Krio administrators were nearing retirement age. Second, with the assumption of internal rule British administrators were returned home which opened up more vacancies across the civil service. It also happened to be a time when many young men from the provinces were graduating from colleges in Europe and at FBC as well and returning home. It was only natural that they would be appointed to fill some of these vacancies. Their largest numbers by far were assigned as District Officers and Assistant District Officers in the provinces. So early in the game Permernent Secretaries and other Senior Civil Servants in Freetown continued to be predominantly Krio. In due course of course as the Krio servants retired, now experienced people from the provinces filled some of the vacancies that their retirements created.

I further disagree that the scourge of corruption in Sierra Leone is a moral or character issue. I believe it is a management issue. Capricious agencies like the ACC are not the answer and are in fact potentially more dangerous than helpful. While I am not very familiar with details of procedures by the ACC, I am not surprised by accusations that some of its targeting has been politically inspired. In a country where the rule of law is not valued commondity and the indepences of the judiciary is dubius at best, the ACC is a perfect setup to go after real or imagined political 'enemies' by any government that is determined to hold on at all costs.

Sensible management structures in my opinion offer the best opportunities for abating rampart corruption in Sierra Leone. We must re-institute credible budgetary, measurement, and control procedures and reduce the role of state house as the sole abiter on public funds. But such procedures too can never succeed unless we restore appropriate checks and balances into our political procedures. Sierra Leone is in such dire sraits that it is going to take at the minimum, a thorough restructuring of the entire body politic itself if things are to change for the better. I invite you to give up your pursuit of getting even and lend your considerable experience and knowledge to efforts that address the real issues.

From: john leigh <johnern...@yahoo.com>
To: "slpoli...@googlegroups.com" <slpoli...@googlegroups.com>
Cc: salone discussion group <SALONEDi...@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Friday, June 21, 2013 1:12 PM
Subject: Re: Re: [Leonenet] Re: [SLPW] '2641' Fw: [SALONEDiscussion] BRAIN DRAIN: A Real Problem in Sierra Leone

Hello Imy, glad to hear from you.

True, corruption is worldwide but the devastating impact of corruption is felt more in threadbare places like SL that simply can't afford it and whose people had suffered tremendously from years of corruption mindlessly perpetrated by our leaders and their followers. In this regard, I truly believe that devastating corruption began, not with Pa Sheki but with Albert Margai who rushed to upset the civil service apple cart by overpopulating it with new recruits that had emerged from remote villages and who did not understand the true role of public services in a modern state. Those newcomers did it the way they conduct business in their despotic communities - kapu-kapu, favorism, nepotism, deceit, irrational, instant gratification, etc.

Like you have correctly pointed out, EBK is the one president who is making a sustained, systematic effort at controlling/containing the incidence of corruption in SL. Some successes have been achieved since 2008 but the road ahead is still long and difficult. The key problem is that incomes of public servants and other wage earners, though improved are still tiny while their decision-making clout is substantial and where their social responsibilities are large and keep on expanding.

Last time I looked, the average age of a Sierra Leonean was 17 years. It might have deteriorated to below 16 years by now given the population explosion that is on-going in our country. This rapid decline in our population's average age means that our poorly paid wage earners are under heavier pressure to help their dependent extended families. According to a Canadian NGO study I read a few years back, the average Sierra Leone wage earner has an extended dependent family of 60 persons.

Despite recent new employment in the mines, in agriculture and in street trading, I do not believe that the 'dependent population ratio' has improved to less than 1:60. In fact it might be much worse, say 1:75. This may translate into an increased propensity to choose corrupt means to 'meet-up' for whatever their individual station in life may require.

Hence the donor nations'/multilateral organizations' embracement of EBK's regime, coupled with it's gains in improving the control and containment of corruption as reported by Transparency International (thanks Mr. Amadu Massalay), clearly demonstrate that EBK is doing a lot on a systematic basis to address the corruption issue than regimes going all the way back to Sir Albert's. Again, the road ahead is long and difficult!

And please forget about eradicating corrupt. It is not going to happen.

As for the issue of despotism, I will disagree with you forever that our cultures are no more despotic than any other culture of the world. My own view is that any culture that brazenly produces a small junta boy of unimaginable wickedness, thieving and wall-to-wall lies - and surrounded by pathetic crooks - as its much beloved and respected Great Hope for our country to unseat a proven nation builder struggling against massive odds in a war-wrecked, poverty-stricken country can be nothing short of been absolutely despotic. The cultures of many, many democratic countries around the world will never subscribe to the tribal despotic rationale that put their willing people in that hopeless situation.

With all good wishes,
JL

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------

Well, I will act as the spokesperson for all those who vainly seek a forum in [SL] from which to make themselves heard. ~ Thomas Sankara

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john leigh

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Jun 22, 2013, 1:32:13 PM6/22/13

to slpoli...@googlegroups.com

Hello, Ken. Where have you been all these years? Delighted to hear from you. I am glad that this initiative by JSuma and others finally flushed you out of your secret hiding place. Regarding your rebuttal, my response follows.

No one is blaming Sir Albert Margai for all that ails SL. All I posited was that he took certain steps that began our country's downward slide. And I may now add, Sir Albert also initiated steps that began slpp's downward slide as well.

Please don't kid yourself. Three years is a long time to do mischief in Sierra Leone. The NPRC junta began executing people and massively steal money within days and months of their coup. Please understand that at all relevant times, most of our people were poor, gullible, pre-literate and possessed childlike tribal loyalties. So they invariable follow the top man.

Sir Albert initiated the original split of slpp with his establishing separate PNP (Peoples National Party - as in Jamaica - or Pikin Nah Pikin in the Southeast) with other slpp dissidents including your oldest brother, Uncle Migore. That initiative was replicated in 2005 by Margai's first-born son, Charles, with his own one-manic PMDC (as in Zimbabwe's MDC).

Next, I have recently completed reading Dr. John Karefa-Smart's memoirs, Rainbow Happenings. You should read how he reported on Margai's ticks that ended JK-S's slpp membership and a whole northern exodus to the APC. Later, upon becoming prime minister, his despotic excesses caused our country to suffer many backwardnesses, so to speak. As slpp flagbearer, he frequently insisted on ignoring local wishes and imposing his personal favorites as slpp candidates upon the party. The result was more parliamentary seats for APC, especially in 1966.

I deeply believe that Margai set the ball rolling in the degradation of our public services. He was all for favoritism, nepotism and tribal preferences. Like a powerful despot whatever he fancied, he got - until Western Area voters abandoned his party and Creoles MPs began to side with Pa Sheki to stop Margai.

In my experience, the key incident that turned many Western and Northern voters away from Margai was his re-engineering of the civil service in circa 1965 in an attempt to impose untoward Mende tribal hegemony.

Margai had his slpp-controlled parliament pass a law that reduced the civil service retirement age from 55 to 40 years and immediately proceeded to retire senior Creoles civil servants steeped in civil service culture and the English Common law, replacing them with neophyte college graduates emerging from southeast communities under despotic rule - with zero civil service culture and no English Common Law background other than the superficial few they picked up at FBC. The newcomers brought into the services their language and traditional values into play in their new, exalted positions. And when a Northerner or Westerner would show up at government offices to conduct legitimate business, they would frequently overhear the language of the southeast spoken by neophyte senior civil servants with big clouts over their heads.

It was a very foolish thing to do. Yet, Sir Albert became very popular in the southeast and, not surprisingly, unpopular elsewhere in the country.

As for corruption, Sir Albert's nickname was degraded by Freetown secondary school children from Apata to Acarta with stones frequently thrown after his official limousines should he pass school children on the way to or from school. This was the setting for the 1966 general elections.

And so began the political polarization in our country. True, Sir Albert was not alone doing mal-governance. Other leaders that followed him also added to our country's descent to last place in the UNDP Human Development Index. EBK is the first elected president to embark upon a consistent effort to reverse the downward slide initiated by Sir Albert.

Now slpp members need leaders who would take the party to where Sir Milton left it. This is not going to be an easy thing to do especially with the party's now ingrained money-eating culture of deceit, the conflict between the generations and the presence of cussing, violence-prone ex-combatants.

Have a great weekend.

Regards,

JL

From: ken kallon <kka...@yahoo.com>
To: "slpoli...@googlegroups.com" <slpoli...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Friday, June 21, 2013 6:30 PM
Subject: Re: Re: [Leonenet] Re: [SLPW] '2646' Fw: [SALONEDiscussion] BRAIN DRAIN: A Real Problem in Sierra Leone

Jesmed Suma

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Jun 22, 2013, 4:53:18 PM6/22/13

to slpoli...@googlegroups.com

AMb Leigh, I agree with most of what you said but you left out the 1957 agreement that Siaka Stevens as Minister of Mines signed with the British owned SLST mining company to mine our diamonds giving them exclusive rights to our mines and requiring the Govt of SL to pay SLST ONE MILLION POUNDS each year. I am still puzzled at how an agreement would give exclusive mining rights to a foreign company and in addition require us to pay them a million pounds each year.

Now that we all seem to be well informed about where we went wrong and know those who were responsible for this downward regression, I would like us to now focus on what we need to do to get us out. I agree with you that the President is certainly doing well when compared to his predecessors that is exactly what most of you are doing. Compare backwards....not necessarily look forward and dream of what we as a nation could be or should be doing in relation to our means and potential. I evaluate the President not in comparison to where were but in relation to the extent of our potential as a nation. Some may be OK with a child who is considered to be the best in his or her class and the best in this case rated at D or should I say 40%. Considered the best because all others in class are either F or below F yet this child has the God giving natural potential to be an A+ child. In my case I would not be satisfied nor would I rate my child in comparison with those who failed but in relation to his potential. Therefore the president is certainly a success story when compared to the Momohs, the Stevens, the Bios and the Tejan Kabbas but he is far below the great potential of our nation and that is what is more relevant to me. I wish he could do better because there are others if given the opportunity would certainly do better.

I was an ardent advocate for EBK because compared to the alternative we were presented with at the time it would have been suicidal of the nation, if the people had made the mistake of making the wrong choice at the last election. The second reason I argued in favour of his re-election was because I had hopes that at his second term he would be strong and bold enough to clean the system and ride the nation of all the unscrupulous scumbags within his Govt., lift the protection over the sacred cows and holy goats that are the main threat to his highly anticipated legacy he claims he want to build for himself.

Unfortunately, I am so far dismayed by his choice of team, lack of clarity on his vision for the nation if any, and the continued blatant corruption in every fabric of society in SL at every level, even though he is said to be doing a great job. Yes a great job compared to his predecessors. But as I said earlier he could do better. To do better he needs the right team and each team member should get a clear vision of where he wants to take the nation, a clear vision of what legacy he want to leave for posterity and most importantly each team member should get a clear understanding that they are indispensable. When anyone becomes a threat to the vision he would be and should be sacrificed. The agenda, his vision and his legacy should be above all else. Who best to provide such leadership than a transformational leader. Unfortunately the President has always been and is still a transactional leader. Challenging times as we face today needs the right leadership, tough, decisive and visionary he needs to rethink his style and his approach otherwise his legacy would be mockery of his presidency. I personally do not want that to happen, I want him to succeed, because if he succeeds the nation succeeds, everyone succeeds. So I shall continue to fearlessly point out his flaws until he becomes the better leader I wish him to be.

Thank you,

Jesmed F Suma

Executive Director
Sierra Leone Policy Watch Inc.

www.SLPW.Org

Email:Jesme...@slpw.org

Tel 908-759-4332

www.PolicyWatchJournal.com

“The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort & convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge & controversy”

~ Martin Luther King, Jr

Our Mission Statement

“Sierra Leone Policy Watch Inc. is an independent policy Think Tank and Civic Engagement organization that provides research-based public policy proposals for policy makers in Sierra Leone to support transformational development”

john leigh

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Jun 23, 2013, 3:33:52 PM6/23/13

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Mr. Jesmed Suma, thanks most kindly for agreeing with some of my stuff and please be assured that I am in your corner on some key matters.

Regarding Mr. Siaka Stevens' ministerial work in 1957, I don't have the facts like you've posited. What I do know is that SL was a British colony at the time and thus the apprentice SLPP Government then was under UK supervision, direction and control. And as you know, I have limited my intervention in SL forums to post-Independence Sierra Leone issues. Simply put, I can't help you here. Sorry oh!

Your recommendation that we now focus on the future is a good one but I won't be able to contribute to discussions involving hypotheticals, suppositions or guesswork. Give me a concrete situation and I may share my views with you if it falls within the purview of the 'defend and counter-attack' niche some of us are carving out in this and other forums. A good place for you to start then - if you desire my participation - would be the APC's 2012 Agenda for Prosperity. In other words and since I don't have time to do everything, I will limit my role in these discussions to explaining the successes of the present APC regime to those opponents and rivals who don't understand or appear confused or nitpicking while counter-attacking all relevant detractors, pa-o-pa liars as well as any other other dysfunctional type.

Having said the above, we can't ignore the past. Remember the old Freetown adage: "if u nor sabee oosie u commot, u nor go sabee oosie to get for go."

With all my very best,

JL

From: Jesmed Suma <jesme...@slpw.org>
To: slpoli...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Saturday, June 22, 2013 4:53 PM
Subject: Re: Re: [Leonenet] Re: [SLPW] '2653' Fw: [SALONEDiscussion] BRAIN DRAIN: A Real Problem in Sierra Leone

mustapha sesay

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Jun 24, 2013, 2:03:12 PM6/24/13

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SIERRA LEONE POLICE

PRESS RELEASE

TAX REVENUE FRAUD AND GRAND COMPLEX FINANCIAL NETWORK FRAUD INVESTIGATIONS

Police Headquarters’ attention has been drawn with total dismay to the recently detected networks of complex financial fraud driven by aggressive heartless grand conspiracy by certain unpatriotic individuals, groups of persons , institutions, business enterprises and fraudsters focusing on defrauding the Government of Sierra Leone of tax revenue, financial impropriety, embezzlement, larceny servant etc. with a view of undermining the growth of the national economy, integrity of the officially established banking institutions and the general growing confidence of investors in the country.

Currently, thirteen (13) persons have been arrested undergoing investigations and charged to court on Friday 21st June 2013 for Tax Revenue Fraud from the Ecobank, National Revenue Authority (NRA), the Sierra Leone Shipping Company Limited and other institutions. They are; Sharka Kpannabum, Isata Osayo Kamara, Ishmail Dainkeh, Momoh Turay, Emmanuel Sesay and Catherine Betty Katta all of the Ecobank (S/L Ltd). Abraham Bockarie Lavaley, Solomon Michael Hindolo Katta, Bakie Minah, Felix Jusu, Milton Alpha and Inah James all of the National Revenue Authority (NRA) and Abdul Mutalid Kamara of the Sierra Leone Shipping Company Limited. All are now remanded at the Pademba Road Prisons.

Also arrested is Simeon Kabba Khalu for alleged complex suspicious financial transactions underpinned by serious fraud in collusion with a network of financial institutions and some suspected criminal networks.

From the inception of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the Sierra Leone Police established and maintained a harmonious and mutually beneficial collaborative working relationship up-to-date. Hence, the current ongoing investigations are jointly conducted by the SLP and the ACC.

The general public is now informed of this sad trend and network of financial criminal activities and entreated to assist the ongoing joint SLP/ACC investigations by giving vital information on the suspects, their associates/affiliates, assets, bank accounts and any uncovered related suspicious criminal transactions within and outside Sierra Leone to the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Francis Alieu Munu on 076-615-516, the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Mr. Richard Moigbe on 076-601-871, the Director Crime Services, Mr. Morie Lengor on 076-442-478 and the Head of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), Mr. Ibrahim Koroma on 076-607-384. All information will be treated with strict confidentiality.

Signed: Dated: 22nd June 2013

Richard Moigbe

Acting Inspector General

From: john leigh <johnern...@yahoo.com>
To: "slpoli...@googlegroups.com" <slpoli...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Saturday, June 22, 2013 1:32 PM
Subject: Re: Re: [Leonenet] Re: [SLPW] '2651' Fw: [SALONEDiscussion] BRAIN DRAIN: A Real Problem in Sierra Leone