During the WATIN D PAPER SAY program on Unity Broadcasting, Hon. Alpha Ben Mansaray made a compelling call for Sierra Leone to adopt long-term, nationally aligned development policies that can withstand political transitions. He stressed that development initiatives should not rise and fall with the government of the day; instead, they must reflect a unified national vision.
Hon. Mansaray cautioned that when development is driven by partisan interests rather than a national agenda, progress becomes unstable and costly. “Unnecessary cancellation of agreements or the abandonment of major projects,” he warned, “creates financial setbacks and exposes the country to unnecessary debt burdens.”
Citing events following the assumption of office by President Julius Maada Bio in 2018, he noted that several strategic undertakings such as the proposed regional “Mama Airports,” key mining agreements, and other national projects—were cancelled. The mining sector faced particularly severe consequences, as some terminated agreements resulted in Sierra Leone being taken to international arbitration. Notable among these were cases involving companies like African Minerals Ltd. and Sable Mining Africa Ltd., demonstrating the financial and reputational risks associated with abrupt policy reversals.
Hon. Mansaray proposed that Sierra Leone consider a National Development Alignment Bill, a legislative framework that would protect major national projects from political interference and ensure continuity across administrations. Such a law, he argued, would safeguard long-term development, reduce financial liabilities, and give investors greater confidence in the stability of the country’s development agenda.
His call for alignment was further reinforced by remarks from Hon. AKK, the Opposition Whip in Parliament. During a recent parliamentary debate, Hon. AKK stated that “at this point in time, politicians should not campaign on water and electricity.” He argued that Sierra Leone should encourage the private sector to manage the country’s abundant water and electricity resources, rather than allowing these essential services to become political campaign tools. According to him, depoliticizing such critical sectors is essential for ensuring efficient service delivery and sustainable national progress.
Together, these perspectives highlight a growing consensus: Sierra Leone’s development must be shielded from the volatility of politics. A nationally aligned approach supported by legislation and informed by responsible governance could pave the way for stable, long-term growth and a more prosperous future.
