What kind of Sierra Leone would you like to see by the year 2025?
Inspite of the rebel war in Sierra Leone I would like development to take place. In this perspective, the development of any state rest on the people i.e. there should always be patriotism. The development o Sierra Leone has to do with political, economic, social and cultural factors.

Politically, there should be reduction of political parties and the powers of the government should be decentralised. In other words, to enable development to take place both in the districts and city. Moreover, a better state security must be established. The army should be restructured and well trained to protect its citizens from internal and external aggressions. The Police also should be a force for good and always prepared to come to the aid of any emergencies. For this to be effective there should be vehicles and other essential equipments ready for any alarm because peace and stability is very important for any economical growth. However, there should be increase of salaries and they should be given facilities (army and police) in order to avert coups. Also military academy should be established and arms and ammunition should be available in order to help the army overcome its enemies on battles.

Economically, agriculture has not been given attention it deserves. The government has been heavily dependent on importation. The government should establish an agricultural development project aimed at maximising agricultural production and improving the living standards of the people. Farmers were to be given credit to buy seeds, fertilizers and farming equipments to cultivate large acres of land. They were also to be advised on improved farming methods. Meanwhile, livestocks should be raised poultry and zoos. The project also involved the construction of access roads, markets, wells, and storage facilities. The government should also disallow drastic deforestation.

However, Sierra Leone is highly dependent on minerals which the government need to diversify the economy by encouraging mining activities. This would help to increase the national revenue significantly. Consequently, groups of experts were to be sent to search for minerals and to secure mining activities.

Furthermore, government should encourage manufacturing industries and embark on agricultural activities to get raw materials for production. This would lessen rapid importation of several goods from other countries. The government should establish free-port for Sierra Leoneans to engage in commerce because the commercial sector is largely in the hands of foreigners. The foreigners deprive indigenous Sierra Leoneans and government from making substantial profits. The government has to be careful in its financial management. A common problem is that unplanned expenditure always runs much more higher than expected. The government should try to bring those who are engaged in corruption and embezzlement of of state funds to justice because this had adversely affected the economy.

The foreign exchange rate has to be controlled, if not economy will result in problems and will be practically stagnant. It will lead to inflation and the industries operating at less than full capacity since they lack foreign exchange to important essential items.

Socially, for any economical development there must be education. Years back Sierra Leone or Freetown was referred to as the "Athens" of West Africa because of the quality of education and intellectuals it produced. But it has deteriorated. In order to make schooling effective there must be school facilities, the increase of teachers salary, distribution of school materials and furniture to the different schools in the country. In order to control illiteracy there should be free education and establishment of centres for adult education.

The country has poor roads and communication network. The government should try to construct first class roads not only in the city but throughout the country. Moreover, try to rebuild the railway. The government must try to improve regular supply of electricity and pipe-born water for all homes. Transportation should be provided like motor cars, trains, helicopters, aeroplanes and ships. Sports is another social development and car bring honour to a country. Stadiums should be built for all sporting activities that can accommodate thousands of spectators.

Inspite of these, health and sanitation has a significant role because health is wealth. Hospitals should be built, train doctors and nurses, and the provision of all different types of drugs which is used to cure the sick. As the saying goes "cleanliness is next to Godliness" we must clean our surroundings and the sanitary workers should be more effective on this.

Culturally, there is no people without culture and as long as people exist they will also always practice their culture. In music, Sierra Leone has very rich and varied music, and prominent traditional musicians that can still be found in the country. One can find talented musicians but there is no support to expose their talents. The government should try to aid the existence of a number of studios in the country.

In the case of literature and drama, the nonexistence of publishing houses in Sierra Leone has to a very large extent affected the growth of its writing literature. There are several stories to write if the government can only establish publishing houses. Theater groups had already formed it only to sponsor those plays and open filming industries because those plays portray daily activities. The government will also get income from the sales of those tapes.

Art and Craft, should also be encouraged by government because it helps to improve the national museum, beautify homes and more especially attract foreign visitors.

In a nutshell, it is absolutely necessary for the government to keep abreast of modern political, economic, social and cultural development that is taking place in other Advanced countries in the world. Until serious efforts are made to radically restructure the economy and control mismanagement, smuggling and corruption, the living standards of people will continue to deteriorate.

Finally, with the nationalistic feeling and unity among the people of Sierra Leone, we must avert tribalism, nepotism and racial discrimination among ourselves because we are one people living in one country. However, this is some of the development I would like to see in the year 2025 by the grace of Allah.

Momodu Musa
SSS III Arts
Sierra Leone Grammar School

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