a
Your trusted place for Sierra Leone and global news
HomeFeaturedCommercialization of our politics

Commercialization of our politics

Commercialization of our politics

Politics in Sierra Leone, in its modern sense, started way back in 1896, when Britain declared Sierra Leone hinterland a Protectorate, under the command of Governor Frederic Cardew even though the British crown had taken over management of the colony in 1808.

Political rivalry, which ensued after the formation of the protectorate assembly in 1946, was largely between the creoles (freed slaves) and the protectorate assembly, the former claiming monopoly in the assembly on the grounds that the latter were illiterate and could not follow proceedings meaningfully.

In spite of that seeming division and antagonism, national issues were confronted with unity of purpose, jointly: such as the attack on Britain to grant independence.

The common/joint front approach used by Sir Milton Margai to achieve a national objective should be emulated by our politicians, who, today have carved out ideologies for personal aggrandizement and selfish motives.

The Parliament of Sir Milton Margai and, to some extent, Sir Albert Margai, with names such as, M.S, Mustapha, A. G Randel, S. P Stevens, Paramount Chief Bai Farima Tass II, showed the extent to which politics could be used to achieve an end, without the use of force or corruption.

Today, however, the politics of this nation has become something completely different: enriching oneself, not caring the level of poverty of the constituents or the nation.

One sometimes wonder whether, indeed, it was time for Britain to grant independence to Sierra Leone, with all due respect to Sir Milton Margai and the other architects of freedom, who hardly knew what, in later years, was to become of the independence they secured on a silver platter, probably the reason we have little value for our independence as we did not get it by blood and iron as in the case of other countries like Kenya and Zimbabwe.

It goes without saying that our politics has been highly commercialized with many people venturing into it for personal aggrandizement. Without politics, many people would never have made it. But Governor Clarkson’s prayer will surely fight them for pauperizing this nation.

Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!

© 2015, https:. All rights reserved.

Share With:
Rate This Article
No Comments

Leave A Comment