Peep Sierra Leone

When hope is shattered, the individual's dreams are miserable. His needs and wants he cannot provide. For the fact that he cannot tell where, or when he will get them for his survival. In some cases, some people show faith in the Almighty God that they will survive.

But at this age, many people expect their governments to give them their needs and wants for the simple fact that, they expect the governments to put their houses in order, and set their priorities straight.

But if the government cannot, then, that is "bad governance.

SUBJECT: What do you mean by setting your priorities straight?

KING: You see, you must make sure you provide for them their basics.

SUBJECT: Basics like what?

KING: Well I keep saying this that, the people need food, clothing and shelter. But not just that, there are other things. But if there is any breach of trust, then the people will find no peace of mind.

SUBJECT: What do you think the people expect?

KING: I want to believe that the people will want the judicial system to work effectively, with proper justice for all.

For example, there is no doubt that, the judicial system should be determined in its resolve to bring any individual to book who has betrayed the trust reposed in them and attempted to line their pockets.

And I will also say that, as a country, the penalties for those who engage in any economic crime should be made stringent. The punishment has to be an example to others and act as a deterrent. That is one side of the issue.

Secondly, the use of the good outcome of the more stringent safe guards that should be applied by the government to maintain fiscal order, that the private sector can obtain a yardstick by which to measure its code of conduct up and down the functional hierarchy. But that can only be done by a leader, who governs the nation as a good leader.

For the fact that, the leader should realize that, when one sits in a chair of authority he or she is bound to function within the parameters laid by the office he or she holds and set an example  for others who look up to the leader to work under him or her.

That is why, to do anything less is to be guilty of breaching the agreement and the trust that was granted.

SUBJECT: Oh King: You speak so flamboyantly with fitness and of a man of clout! However, there are other areas you did not mention at all.

KING: Like which areas are you trying to talk about? But another question is, the government can minimize it.

 KING: The only way the government can minimize it, is by controlling the state economy. By this I mean, there should be stringent laws against economic defaulters.

For example, corrupt people who embezzle government funds, which is part of mismanagement. Another point, we must also take note of, is that, we must be committed to hard work.

For example, Agriculture, road maintenance, or in short manual job. That will help in generating income, through productivity.

Mind you, with effective productivity in essential commodities, we can export to get enough foreign exchange, to back the local currency. But again, this reality is of course known to our leaders and advisers.

SUBJECT: What can you say about our home and foreign policies?

KING: This is a very strong political question for me to answer. Of cause in a sovereign state, one must have policies.

To start with, there should be a trade policy to competitive and credible partners in the international community. But that is for the foreign minister to explain

SUBJECT: King, don't you think that sectional use of aggravation can lead to political unrest in a country that will rob the peace of mind of the individual?

KING: That is so, that is why, in my kingdom, I always make sure I am security conscious.

SUBJECT: Areas like finance, state security: I mean to secure life and property, health and sanitation, food security, energy and power, water supply, social welfare, and of course, the home and foreign policy.

KING: You are perfectly correct! You see, I only refer to issues that have direct links with the constitution.

However, these are important areas in governance if we want to talk of good governance for the people to get peace of mind.

For instance like finance: a state cannot function properly, if there is no proper or good financial structure put in place to run it. Mind you, you can't give what you don't have.

That is the question. Let me remind you of what, God said in the book of Genesis 3: 17-19 in verse 19, God said to Adam that out of the sweat of his face he will eat bread until he return to the ground and, that sin we inherited today.

SUBJECT: King it is true to survive. The working class, I must say, is 25% and the jobless is 75% how do you expect them to live?

KING: Let me say this to you. The government is the main employer but at the same time the private sector does employ people to work.

But, mind you, you cannot employ some body without paying him that is the reason why the majority doesn't get jobs.

SUBJECT: King I want to agree with you. I just have to work to find my livelihood. Of cause, my knights and lords are trying very hard to look into the affairs of the subjects.

Let me say this to you that we could build up the materialistic civilization we so greatly price.

If only the people are ready to change positively, then that will be the greatest importances however believe that the last thing struggling workers and producers want, is world competition. And I want to believe that political pundits are watching.

Therefore, a leader must not be Tribalistic, sectionalistic, and must also avoid favouritism. He should be time conscious and prudent.

SUBJECT: You said it all. Now what wise words do have for me this week?

KING: Ok! Take this from me you can't gain your "boos', when you cannot humble yourself."