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Sierra Leone |
DEVELOPMENT
Ten years of civil strife have devastated Sierra Leone, and brought all attempts at progress to a standstill. But for the first time, technocrats have come up with a long-term plan for the post-war era
Since 1961, when the country gained independence from Great Britain, successive governments have been formulating five-year plans for the country. Sometimes, most of the plans were not implemented, and worst of all, some governments, especially the military juntas, abandoned their predecessor’s plans, thus creating a gap in the country’s path to progress.
Early in 2001, things took a turn for the better. A new project known as the National Long-Term Perspective Studies (NLTPS)-Vision 2025 was launched. The project planned for Sierra Leone’s development during the next twenty-five years, and the population was made aware of what was afoot, through a series of Workshops held throughout the country, for interested groups and individuals. Dr Abu Bakar Kargbo is the NLTPS‘s deputy co-ordinator. He says: «Through the Workshops, we were able to identify basic issues which critically underpin Sierra Leone’s development. The Workshops established the purpose and scope of the NLTPS, and identified national aspirations through a participatory process». The most critical issues discussed with NLTPS officials during the Workshops, were: Employment opportunities, the environment, urban planning, industrialisation, cultural preservation and transformation, agriculture, politics, gender issues, social problems, communications’ improvement, education and poverty alleviation.
The economic decline that prevailed during past governments, worsened during the war years, and unfortunately, still exists. Sierra Leone’s 4.5 million people are now grappling with the numerous adversities resulting from the war.
Optimism
The launching of the NLTPS was viewed with optimism by the population in general. Dr Kargbo says: «NLTPS-Vision 2025 is a programme that will ensure not only order in the country, but also positive, rapid and guided development, based on short, medium and long-term strategic planning». He is fully aware that all this must take place against the backdrop of globalisation, which he describes as «an inevitable world phenomenon that is characterised by multi-denominational challenges to Third World countries, of which Sierra Leone is a part». Dr Kargbo stresses the fact that the country’s continuous deterioration since the post-colonial era and more recently during the war years, has made it imperative for all parties concerned, including the government, to embark on a national «mulling-over» exercise, so as to determine where Sierra Leone’s future development lies, and how it is to be achieved.
Dr Kadi Sesay is the Minister for Development and Economic Planning. She is optimistic for Vision 2025’s success. She says: «The pitfalls of conventional short to medium term national development plans, are now well documented. Therefore, it is now common belief, not only in my ministry, but among socio-economic development practitioners generally, that national development plans are more relevant and sustainable, if they are formulated taking into consideration people’s long-term desires and aspirations».
Following independence, successive governments had gone in for short-term goals, so as to win elections. Many of the nation’s long-term priorities were ignored, thereby causing the nation to develop at a snail’s pace. Now, the NLTPS has provided a guide for the country’s development. The people will no longer be brainwashed with politicians’ rhetoric, because what should be done for them for the next twenty-five years is written down on paper for all to see. President Kabbah himself has said: «By marshalling all our ideas in one comprehensive package, Vision 2025 will provide us with the most effective mechanism for long-term planning». And Dr Sesay is even more optimistic: «I am convinced that if Vision 2025 is implemented in its true form, character and spirit...it will bring, not only to us, but to generations yet unborn, the happiness of a prosperous society».
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