Opposition Chief Whip, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara, has strongly criticized the current administration, labeling its economic policies as disastrous.
Speaking during AVY TV’s Sunday broadcast, Hon. Kamara presented what he described as detailed evidence of economic mismanagement, claiming the government has left little hope for a prosperous future.
During the program, he cited statistical analysis indicating that between 2018 and 2023, approximately 1.057 trillion Leones went missing from government coffers without any clear justification.
The Opposition Chief Whip further alleged that the Anti-Corruption Commissioner has remained inactive, allegedly due to the involvement of ruling party loyalists. He argued that if similar accusations had been made against members of the previous government, the Commissioner would have acted swiftly and decisively.
Kamara also expressed concern over Sierra Leone’s rising public debt, which he said has now exceeded 100% of national GDP, with over half of national revenue being used for debt servicing.
He warned that this leaves minimal fiscal space for meaningful development spending.On the issues of inflation and currency depreciation, Kamara asserted that the Leone has lost significant value in recent years.
He dismissed government claims of reducing inflation, stating that such assertions do not reflect the daily struggles of ordinary citizens, as prices for basic commodities remain volatile.
As a vocal advocate for youth empowerment, Hon. Kamara highlighted the country’s alarming youth unemployment rate, noting that over 60% of young people are either unemployed or underemployed—a situation he warned could lead to social unrest.He also criticized President Bio’s earlier promises to diversify the economy into agriculture, fisheries, and tourism.
According to Kamara, these promises have not been fulfilled, and the government has failed to actualize its development agenda.
Focusing on agriculture, he described the administration’s flagship “Feed Salone” initiative as a white elephant project, stating that Sierra Leone remains a net importer of rice, with an estimated $156 million spent on rice imports in 2023 alone.
In conclusion, Hon. Kamara stressed that while youth are often central to national development discourse, many in leadership positions have betrayed the trust of the nation.
