By Paul Kamara (aka Salone Mandela)
Brother Tim Kargbo, what Prinz Dadzie wrote in “Letter From a Country…”, which actually surmises the African Condition; is an authentic proof to illustrate; the conspiracy between the West and Africa’s mis-educated leaders and elites; to mortgage our destiny for pittance. This view is also illustrated by Chinweizu in: The West And The Rest Of Us; Walter Rodney: How Europe Underdeveloped Africa; or The Reith Lectures delivered by Ali Mazrui; or by the pan-Africanist voice, Professor PLO Lumumba; if only to name a few.
Indeed, those who claim to be educated are sadly enough; the same who to me are a reflection of our evil service/system; who always dump anything that is for the common good; for that which only benefits them. This is well captured by Hari Politopoulos who wrote: The Future Of Sierra Leone; how state actors contrived with foreign entities to wreck our country.
But what is also odd with our own so-called democracy and human rights activists; is their avowed failure to speak Truth to Power! Jesus Christ, the revolutionary journalist of Truth said: that His followers must drink His blood and eat His flesh. In the African context where rule by evil and tyranny prevails; a man of Truth must show his scars.
I have never come across any African journalist or human rights activist who speak Truth to Power; that is not persecuted. Gitobu Nmanyara of Kenya, Pios Njawe of Cameroon, Dele Giwa of Nigeria, Paul Kamara of Sierra Leone; just to name a few. This is not in any way aimed to belittle the works of similar advocates in relation to mining, the environment or other social causes.
The motto of journalism is Truth! And if Jesus Christ was alive today, He would’ve loved to be a journalist; and any man of Truth should therefore, reflect what Jesus went through. It is the road not taken; inorder to make a difference. I dare say, that only a few have trod that path in Sierra Leone. Of course, others are influenced/inspired by so many others. I based mine on the Sierra Leone experience.
I also firmly believe in the words of Franz Fanon: that one is nothing on earth; if not shoes to a cause: that of justice, freedom, humanity and the people. You have to confront it like Mandela, Steve Biko, Martin Luther King, Bai Bureh, Singbe Pieh etc. These are freedom fighters who put their life on the line; so that truth, freedom, justice and humanity shall prevail in their society.
I therefore, share Prince Dadzie’s grief; and not so much his rage; but understands the helplessness and despair; of those who tell truth to power often experience. More so, in a system that is cocooned; in a culture of silence and fear; and where the politics of tribalism and hate; dominates the hearts and minds of those who are supposed to stand out and be counted. This is the tragedy of Sierra Leone; encapsulated in the evil trinity of:
Usai den tie cow nar dae e dae eat, dog eat dog, den say Bailor Barrie u say Davidson Nicol. It is this dog eat dogism; that brought the bad heart, pull him down syndrome, and the negative attitudes: to love foreigners and hate the land we claim to love. It must be expurgated!
Today, the once dubbed Athens of West Africa has become an ill-run Sparta. Our varsities are dominated by the negative Blackman and White man mentality. The Blackman students (SLPP) label the Whiteman students (APC) as kolonkos; whilst the latter call the former kalilus. A varsity, where students graduate to prostitute both their minds and bodies; as well as pillage state coffers; and take relish to splash shit at each other’s hostels during SU elections. This shitty-shitty mentality has cascaded to engulf the entire body politic. In essence, the evil dogma; brought about the bad, heart, pull him down syndrome and the negative mentality; to hate the land that we claim to love. We therefore, need a change in our attitudes and behavioural patterns.
But what actually caught my attention Brother Tim, is your anchor statement that: the secret societies that were planted, since the European arrived on our shores, has to be dismantled before any meaningful progress returns on our lands. I believe you hit the nail on the head.
Let me give a few examples based on my own personal experience as a journalist and human rights activist, among other titles under my belt.
*Agba Satani: that God does not exist in politics; a domain of satanism. In short, to steal, kill and destroy. Chricoco is known to advocate only for those who joined ojeh to be given APC symbol. It means, you either served Satan or you are out!
*Those who crave for power; must pay obeisance; be a member of the poro or the other traditional societies to qualify to lead. Kabbah’s; was a rare exception because the SLPP were desperate for a candidate in 96 elections.
*The recent clash in the south between Muslims and the poro society over political leadership is a case in point. It resulted in the burning of houses and wanton destruction of lives and properties. The woman chief had to flee for her dear life and banned from returning to her chiefdom.
*Sir Albert won the elections over his elder brother Sir Milton to lead SLPP. However, he was forced to surrender his victory; after the chiefs had prevailed upon him to cede his victory to Milton. He left the party and formed the PNP with Shaki. You have little or no choice.
*A Sunday Service to celebrate the Day of Pentecost; was stopped by the Governmentt and cultural leaders; for a cultural initiation ceremony supervised by First Lady Fatima. God should take a back seat in preference to cultural society.
*Gov Clarkson railed over certain traditions; especially the eating of human flesh. The TRC Report stated that cannibalism was also rife in certain parts of the country. It is also associated with some cultural practices. Gov. Clarkson cursed our leaders for God to punish them in this world; but forgive them in the world hereinafter.
*When the kamajors entered Freetown in 97; no less a person than Dr Sama Puawui Banya said that; these local militias have supernatural powers to sniff evil people and rebels. The pogroms unleashed led to the massacre of innocent citizens.
*Cultural practices also result in the promotion of injustices and other illegalities, especially in the court system; where the Truth hardly exists inspite of being sworn on oath: to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the Truth. But this is a misnomer.
*It is a conclave where the truth that comes from God; is sacrificed at the altar of lies and falsehoods. How can justice prevail; when those supposed to render justice belong to these societies; in conspiracy to perpetuate injustice.
*Justice Adrian Fisher faced the wrath of traditional rulers; when he remanded the Speaker of Bo. In league with the ACC boss Abdul Tejan-Cole and the Judicial behemoths; he was locked up in a stinking cell for weeks; and later charged for corruption and subsequently fined. His wife was sacked at ACC and he had to eventually flee the jurisdiction.
*No lawyer was willing to take up my case with the most powerful Judge Tolla. Many on the pretext; that they belong to the same Lodge.
Peter Tucker known as the architect of the 91 constitution; caused Kasila kamajor chieftain Morie Jusu to be jailed, fined, his family dispersed and isolated at Pademba prison to die; and without trial in any court of law. His crime was to renounce the poro society for Islam.
In conclusion, the long-held belief; that God does not exist in politics; is to a large extent responsible for the backward nature of our society; for the fact that; our governance structure is under the hold of traditionalism.
I therefore, agree with you that unless we separate not only the legacy of colonialism especially the Lodge and secret societies from governance; Sierra Leone will not only be deprived of God-fearing leaders; but also good governance. *NOTE: This doesn’t mean traditional society doesn’t have a dynamic role to play in preserving our cultural traditions, norms and values. But it must be seen to enhance unity, development and good governance.
