Skip to main content

The moment of Truth: Information Minister decentralizing the decentralization process


By: Ibrahim Jalloh – (Jallomy)
The myth of exclusively colonizing government Press Conferences in the air conditioned offices in Freetown, was aggressively overthrown by the current Minister of Information and Communication, Mohamed Rahman Swarray.

Evidently, Minister Swarray has proven to be one of the most efficient and effective minister in the current regime of President Bio. Swarray has a diplomatic and professional way of relating with the public in articulating government policy direction and the overall processes of state governance. That said, Minister Swarray has a characteristic way of being brutal and ruthless with the truth.

The second decentralized Press Conference since president Bio came to power was held in Makeni yesterday at the averagely furnished Makeni City Council hall. The key objective was to relay government actions, processes and corresponding challenges. A window of opportunity was opened for direct feedback from functionaries in the media.

The thematic areas discussed by the ministers are compelling realities of the moment:
1. The GSM and government engagement on improved customer service and due diligence.
2. The nefarious Limkokwing deal and the government's position.
3. The high level of preparedness in responding to the Corona Virus with a resounding political will.
4. The massive direct cash transfers to local councils.

It was revealing and, by implication, Indicting to those local councils, including Makeni City Council, who received these colossal sums of money but yet misinform the citizens that central government is not doing well with councils. It was an unmasking moment. Members of the fourth estate in attendance was spell bound, in awe, in disbelief with a rabid conclusion of strategic betrayal of government support to Councils.

If local councils cannot reflect the good will and strategic support of central government then the situation is not only one of development threat but a real strategic dilemma to the spirit and intent of decentralization.

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Senegal, first African team to beat England, but not first to score three goals

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson Claim: Soccer World HQ, in a Facebook post , claimed that Senegal is the first African team to beat England and the first to score three goals against them. Verdict: Partly True! Senegal is the first African team to beat England, but not the first to score three goals against them. Full Text The England senior men’s national football team, nicknamed the “Three Lions,” played their first match against Scotland in 1872. That match ended goalless but marked the beginning of an intense soccer rivalry between both nations, dubbed the “Auld Enemy.” Since 1872-2025, the England national team has achieved its 1000-game milestone in November 2019 when they played Montenegro at the Wembley Stadium. England's all-time head-to-head record shows that they’ve played a whopping 1072 matches against 100 countries, won 615 games, drew 255, and lost 200. Senegal, on the other hand, is one of Africa’s most famous football nations, nicknamed the “Lions of Teranga.” In 2002, ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Makeni Medical Mission Brings Hope and Healing to Bombali District

By: Alusine Rehme Wilson Residents of the Asker Amputee Camp in Makeni City, including various war victims, are rejoicing over the inauguration of the Makeni Medical Mission health facility, established by philanthropist, author, and pastor Mr. Bambay Sawaneh, alongside his partners in the United States. This newly launched medical facility, comprising 11 treatment rooms, was developed with the support of Southeastern Medical International (SMI) and the Concord Christian Church. Their mission is to deliver compassionate healthcare and a range of medical services to the people of Bombali District and surrounding areas, with a particular focus on war victims and vulnerable families living in the Asker Amputee Camp at Robureh. At the official opening ceremony in Makeni city, a team of 10 medical missionaries from Southeastern Medical International, including Sheila Yates, a seasoned medical missionary with two decades of experience in the US, provided free medical care to 100 individuals,...
Post a Comment
Read more

Sierra Leone, Two other Nations disqualified from AFCON 2024 U17 Qualifiers

By: Abdulrahman Barrie The U17 football teams from Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Guinea Bissau have been disqualified from the 2024 U17 African Cup of Nations competition in Senegal after failing the mandatory MRI test scans. These scans, which determine the age of the players, revealed discrepancies that led to their removal from the tournament. The disqualification follows changes to Article 27.4 of the U17 Africa Cup of Nations regulations, which have tightened the criteria and enforcement of age verification measures. The updated rules stipulate that if a team has more than four players deemed ineligible after the MRI eligibility test, the entire team will be disqualified. The MRI tests, used to enforce age restrictions in youth competitions, are crucial for ensuring fairness. Unfortunately, the teams from these three nations did not meet the age criteria, resulting in their disqualification. This decision has come as a significant disappointment for the young players and their fans, w...
Post a Comment
Read more