The Leader of the Opposition in Parliament, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, has responded sharply to recent remarks made by the Chief Minister, who referred to opposition leaders as “unprogressive” for critiquing the government’s policies.
In a statement following an interview aired on AYV, Hon. Kargbo described the Chief Minister’s comments as “reckless and irresponsible,” questioning the approach of the ruling government to criticism.
He stressed that handling criticism is an essential trait of effective leadership, advising that constructive feedback should be welcomed and addressed respectfully.
“A good leader listens carefully to feedback, refrains from interrupting, and seeks to understand the perspective of the critic,” Hon. Kargbo stated. “Unfortunately, this approach seems to be missing in the current administration.
Hon. Kargbo further defended the APC’s record during its time in power, pointing out the stability under its leadership, citing that inflation did not reach the staggering 54% witnessed under the current government.
He also referenced the management of basic commodities, such as rice, noting that the price of a bag only increased from Le 60 to Le 200 over the span of 10 years, a stark contrast to the current economic climate. He highlighted the timely payment of salaries, emphasizing that under the APC, citizens were able to afford three bags of rice with the minimum wage.
“Under our watch, we ensured that salaries were paid before Christmas and inflation was kept at manageable levels,” Hon. Kargbo remarked. “We worked tirelessly to protect the interests of the people.”
The APC leader also challenged the Chief Minister to look beyond personal remarks and take a closer look at the parliamentary Hansards, which, according to Hon. Kargbo, are filled with alternative policy proposals from the opposition. He suggested that the government could find viable solutions and suggestions from the opposition’s past policy positions.
“Instead of dismissing criticisms, the Chief Minister should explore the numerous policy alternatives proposed by the opposition over the years,” he concluded.
