Dissent

Dissent Dissent is a pro-democracy hub that promotes free speech and the rule of law. Dissent is the platform to read those critical views.

DISSENT

Description: This is a page that will be publishing different perspectives and opinions on significant issues in society. Dissent also provides a platform to express your views on education, employment, politics, governance, health, sports, development and a lot more other issues that warrant public reaction in Sierra Leone. Humans have different views about a variety of issues, we ofte

n look at these issues from different lenses which brings about the variations that prevail in our opinions. Our aim is to play a fundamental role in the democratic dispensation and the development of Sierra Leone. We believe, one of the things that is very important in consolidating a democracy is promoting dissent and frowning at all forms of censorship. In furtherance of this goal, we also want to remind our followers that articles that will be published here will be in strict compliance with our editorial policy. We do not tolerate or promote hate speech, inciting views, prejudicial articles against ethnic and religious groups, fake news and propaganda.

Politicians continue to take Sierra Leoneans for granted every opportunity they get. They make media appearances to spew...
09/07/2025

Politicians continue to take Sierra Leoneans for granted every opportunity they get. They make media appearances to spew lies and mock the masses who are going through peril to fend for their sustenance.

One of such incidents is Alpha Khan's recent media engagement where he unwrapped a parcel of lies to describe the government as one that has created jobs for 70% of Sierra Leoneans. As an advisor to the president, Alpha Khan, a politician who crossed-carpet from the APC to SLPP is doubling down on his propaganda assertions about illusionary development the people aren't benefiting. Where are the 70% of employed Sierra Leoneans? Who employed them?

A politician like Alpha Khan doesn't really care about Sierra Leoneans. He's treading slowly towards retirement. Whatever he does now is to accrue more wealth for his selfish needs. Take him seriously at your own risk.

More Sierra Leoneans are unemployed now than 10 years ago. Thousands of graduates languish in coffee shops and ghettos because there are no jobs. But this old chap, was on air lying through his teeth about jobs that are non-existent. Sierra Leoneans should wake-up and tell these old folks to their faces how deceitful they've been all these years.

The Anti-Corruption Commission returned NLe 1 million (1 billion old Leones) recuperated from cash that was stolen by so...
09/07/2025

The Anti-Corruption Commission returned NLe 1 million (1 billion old Leones) recuperated from cash that was stolen by some staff of the council in collusion with a certain bank's staff. This first tranche of transfer is part of the total NLe. 3 million recovered by the Commission. According to the Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala, the rest of the money will make its way into the coffers of the Council through cash transfer. He unequivocally reaffirmed the Commission's preparedness to prosecute the culprits involved in this grand racket.

We commend the ACC for this move and urge them to do more in battling corruption in Sierra Leone. We hope the mayor and her team will use this money judiciously in providing essential services in the capital geared towards her 'transform Freetown agenda'.

Police brutality is on the rise in Sierra Leone. This projects an unsettling status quo which pays no mind to brazen hum...
09/07/2025

Police brutality is on the rise in Sierra Leone. This projects an unsettling status quo which pays no mind to brazen human rights violations by a state apparatus that is obliged to enforce the law and protect citizens.

The latest victim of unwarranted use of excessive force is Barrister Collins Campbell. He wasted no time to narrate the dastardly infractions of his fundamental rights by a law enforcement officer attached at Congo Cross police division, whom he alleged had "tased, assaulted (battered) and arrested" him for merely questioning his approach in effecting an arrest.

It has become a common occurrence in Sierra Leone where police officers exhibit utter contempt for lawyers who ought to be considered as allies in protecting the rule of law. Last year in Kenema at the Bar Association election, lawyers witnessed the heavy-handedness of the Sierra Leone police in dispersing a peaceful protest against the flawed handling of the election. Few weeks later in Freetown, the same police force used unauthorised force after some officers were dispatched to Brookfields hotel to put a stop to an event that lawyers were about to hold as a show of dissatisfaction for the outcome of the Bar Association election in Kenema.

In all of these, no one has been held accountable despite the uncountable rights violations against lawyers. The Bar Association has done little to advocate for the safety and welfare of lawyers in the country especially in situations where these lawyers have dissented on issues of crucial significance revolving around governance and respect for the rule of law.

Collins Campbell Esq. deserves justice. The officer who assaulted him should be questioned and reprimanded if found wanting for stepping out of line in carrying out his duties. The SLP leadership needs to institute more professional reforms to meet international policing standards. Police brutality must be nipped in the bud. Enough is enough!

©Dissent 2025

In a letter dated 5th May 2025 and addressed to the speaker of parliament, the leader of the opposition in the legislatu...
02/07/2025

In a letter dated 5th May 2025 and addressed to the speaker of parliament, the leader of the opposition in the legislature, Hon. Abdul Kargbo called for the resignation of the clerk of parliament for his flagrant violation of the PPRC Act and the Civil service code of conduct.

It could be recalled that the clerk of parliament, Paran Tarawally, in a desperate move to seek political significance and attract more wind in his sail, was on record expressing his intention to vie for the secretary general position of the SLPP- something he wasn't supposed to do while serving as a public servant. In the video, Paran confessed to his surreptitious manipulation in Parliamentary politics that resulted in the APC losing the speakership position. His utterances were sadly demeaning to the sanctity of the position he occupied.

Once he shot himself in the leg, the leader of the opposition demanded for his resignation immediately.

We can now confirm that the clerk has been sent on immediate leave which commenced on 20th June 2025. We applaud the opposition leader and speaker of parliament for maintaining the sanctity of a very critical arm of government that breathes life into Sierra Leone's democracy.

Paran Tarawally can now focus on his intra-party political aspiration.

The APC leadership in parliament has, in a statement released today, informed the Speaker of Parliament and all Sierra L...
10/06/2025

The APC leadership in parliament has, in a statement released today, informed the Speaker of Parliament and all Sierra Leoneans that they are suspending their participation from all legislative activities until their demand for the clerk of parliament to be relieved of his duty is upheld. According to Hon. Abdul Kargbo, who happens to be the leader of the opposition in parliament, this move is geared towards safeguarding the nation's democracy. About a month ago, the clerk of parliament openly expressed his intention to contest for the secretary general position in the SLPP. This act was considered an aberration and a violation of the PPRC Act, a statutory provision which the opposition's demand is premised on.

Will Paran Tarawally be relieved of his duty as clerk? We definitely do not think he will. Members of the SLPP administration are infamous for violating statutory laws with impunity and they are emboldened even more by a system that lauds and rewards them for their unlawful acts. We will keep tabs on this issue to see what the coming days will bring for one of the most crucial arms of government.

In a press statement from the Ministry of Energy, Sierra Leoneans have been informed that the Turkish karpowership that ...
09/06/2025

In a press statement from the Ministry of Energy, Sierra Leoneans have been informed that the Turkish karpowership that provides a huge percentage of Freetown's electricity needs will cease operation effectively on the 12 June 2025 over unpaid debts by the government. Since the SLPP government came to power, they've struggled to provide stable electricity in the capital which has had a paralysing effect on businesses and the economy of the country. Freetonians have experienced a reduction in electricity supply since the government of Maada Bio took over the reigns of power.

In 2020, they signed a 5 deal with Karpowership for the supply of around 65 MW to Freetown. This contractual agreement has been flouted several times by the government over its failure to offset debt within a reasonable period to keep the agreement effective. In 2023, the ship was shutdown over a $ 40 million debt the government hadn't paid on time. The ordinary citizens without alternative sources of power would have to bear the brunt of the ship's shutdown of electricity supply.
Meanwhile, the president continues his incessant travel expeditions sponsored by taxpayers. Funds which should be invested into more pressing issues that would benefit everyone is being expended on one man's desire to explore the world at the detriment of his peoples' needs.

Residents of Freetown will continue to suffer for stable electricity because of unpaid government debt to Karpowership.

Forefront at any disaster response in Sierra Leone, is the National Disaster Management Agency. We've seen them uncounta...
02/06/2025

Forefront at any disaster response in Sierra Leone, is the National Disaster Management Agency. We've seen them uncountably reacting to disasters in the form of providing technical and material support to those affected. But what else have they been doing to really curb this spiralling building disasters in Freetown? They may argue it isn't within their mandate to regulate building in the country. While such a defensive mechanism has a subtle iota of truth, we believe they are all complicit in this neverending cycle of tragedies.
The Ministry of Housing is considered the most ineffective and inefficient government body you can think of in Sierra Leone. Not only do they not regulate housing, they allow buildings to be constructed in the most disaster prone area you can imagine. Their lack of oversight is responsible for the disasters associated with houses in Freetown. Without effective regulation, people build wherever they feel like building without countenancing the nature of the land and the dangers they may be exposed to. While they do carry some of the blame, we unequivocally call out the ministry to take ownership of its mandate and work earnestly in identifying moribund buildings, evacuating occupants and demolishing them before more lives are claimed. Sierra Leone's governance machinery is in decay. It is evident in the occurrences citizens have to undergo to survive. More on that later.

As he eloquently narrated his contributions in the APC party and conveyed his brilliant plans for Sierra Leone on Libert...
26/05/2025

As he eloquently narrated his contributions in the APC party and conveyed his brilliant plans for Sierra Leone on Liberty TV's morning show, Dr. Ibrahim Bangura expressed a profound commitment and desire to improve the lives of women and girls in Sierra Leone. As a human rights advocate with immense experience, this declaration symbolises the importance of addressing systemic and intersectional challenges women and girls face in Sierra Leone.

Improving the lives of women and girls in Sierra Leone is crucial because it will ensure equality, dignity and freedom of half othe country's female population. When there's access to healthcare, education and enhanced political participation for women, their lives improve and society is much fairer when women and girls are not subjected to violence, social injustice and discrimination.

Dr. Ibrahim Bangura is the first candidate within the APC's internal political dynamics that has unequivocally expressed his determination to see women and girls lead better lives in a country where their fundamental rights and freedoms are promoted and protected.

As internet data prices hike in Sierra Leone, we are wondering whether President Bio really meant what he said in his Bi...
22/05/2025

As internet data prices hike in Sierra Leone, we are wondering whether President Bio really meant what he said in his Big Five Game changers especially in accelerating technological growth and human capital development. Sierra Leoneans are already facing the brunt of fiscal indiscipline and corruption within government, and now, there is another burden to contend with. Most Sierra Leoneans survive on less than NLe. 100, this includes students and graduates who are using the internet to create employment for themselves and keep their heads above water. Increasing data prices in the thick of inflation and economic conundrum is unwise and very provocative. The increment will affect human capital development in an unprecedented way and if the National Telecommunications Authority doesn't act fast to reverse it, many people will be subjected to more suffering. And there'll be huge resentment against the government.

Not much has been said about Momoh Kamara's recent feat at the just-concluded AFCON-U20 in Egypt. Momoh Kamara becomes t...
20/05/2025

Not much has been said about Momoh Kamara's recent feat at the just-concluded AFCON-U20 in Egypt. Momoh Kamara becomes the first Sierra Leonean to win a topscorer trophy at a CAF competition. He scored 4 goals, 3 against the host Egypt, and 1 against South Africa. The shooting stars impressed the continent on their maiden appearance with a resolute performance. We want to congratulate him for this remarkable achievement and we wish him the very best going forward. Sierra Leone has a star that needs all the support he deserves.


One year ago, on the 18 May 2024, lawyers converged in Kenema to elect a new executive to man the affairs of the Sierra ...
19/05/2025

One year ago, on the 18 May 2024, lawyers converged in Kenema to elect a new executive to man the affairs of the Sierra Leone Bar Association. Even though there had been serious suspicions about one of the candidates getting the support of top government officials, many lawyers who travelled to Kenema were optimistic that the election would be free, fair and credible because the Anti-Corruption Commissioner was the returning officer in charge of conducting the election. Those lawyers were rudely awakened by Ben Kaifala's surreptitious handling of the election. He was the orchestrator of one of the most despicable and brazen electoral malpractices ever witnessed in the history of elections across the world.

The annual general meeting condescended into a tumultuous event that had lawyers who stood for the truth on one side condemning the manner in which the election was being handled by Ben, and those who supported undemocratic practices, reinforcing Ben's unfortunate behaviour.

One year on, Sierra Leone Bar Association remains divided and the awful events in Kenema, inspired the formation of a Lawyers' Society organisation that is flourishing in its advocacy for respect for the rule of law and democracy. The Sierra Leone Bar Association allegedly continues to be a pun in the hands of politicians who don't want any form of scrutiny for their actions.

One year on, Ben Kaifala's misdeed continues to wreck havoc on the Bar Association which some lawyers consider dysfunctional.

Just few days after the ministry of health unrolled some safety measures which people should abide by to curb the prolif...
15/05/2025

Just few days after the ministry of health unrolled some safety measures which people should abide by to curb the proliferation of cases in Sierra Leone, the minister of health hosted a health conference in Freetown. At the moment, the country has recorded over a thousand cases of the virus and it seems to be spreading wildly.

The irony here is, despite this spike, the minister of health comfortably hosted a health conference today and during the event, safety measures that were rolled out few days ago were blatantly disregarded as people crammed in the Freetown International Conference Centre to listen to long speeches and illusionary promises.

We would not be surprised if Freetown records more positive cases this week.

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