By Arthur E. Pearce
To those who continue to insist that I should believe in Kandeh Yumkella’s (KKY) leadership and oratory skills, my response remains the same: I refuse to be swayed by eloquent speeches and empty promises. My stance is not based on political bias, bad faith, or mere rhetoric, it is grounded in personal experience.
Over the years, I have witnessed KKY’s ability to articulate grand visions, yet I have seen little to no tangible results. From 2013 to 2023, his speeches have remained just that, speeches. Promises have been made, yet they remain unfulfilled. Until I see concrete progress, I will not allow myself to be pressured into believing otherwise
Let me make one thing abundantly clear: I was trained to hold leaders accountable, and I will continue to do so without fear or intimidation. Accountability does not equate to hatred or disrespect; rather, it is a civic duty to demand results, not just explanations or excuses.
As I write this, I sit in total darkness, my phone barely charged by a power bank. I am contemplating whether to buy fuel to power my generator just so I can iron clothes for work and school, an additional expense that should not be necessary. The epileptic electricity supply has also forced me to spend more on food, as we can no longer cook in bulk without the risk of spoilage.
For someone so well-versed in persuasive rhetoric, KKY has yet to deliver meaningful change. And now, he has been entrusted with handling our energy sector? I remain forever in doubt.
As the Krio saying goes, “If a snake misses biting you once, the next time you see a worm, you run”
Now, he has promised to set up a forensics team to investigate the numerous fire incidents in the country, including the fire outbreak at Hon. Abdul Kargbo’s house. Let’s hope this is not just another empty promise with no results.
This is my honest take, and I hope it puts an end to the debate.
Kandeh Yumkella must understand that his past credentials, whether from the UN, or anywhere else, do not matter to Sierra Leoneans. What we care about is results. Leadership is not about self-proclaimed individualism or impressive speeches.
We want tangible improvements, not just talk without action.
