THE UNFULFILLED PROMISES – REAL OR SLOGAN WHICH WAY?

THE UNFULFILLED PROMISES – REAL OR SLOGAN WHICH WAY?..

Amid efforts to address the insufficient food supply, the “Feed Salone” initiative is
not a new concept. The idea dates back to the tenure of President Joseph Saidu
Momoh, who introduced the Green Revolution.

President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah of blessed memory also declared that no Sierra Leonean should go to bed hungry.
Former President Ernest Bai Koroma launched the Youth Farm Project alongside
Bai Mahmoud, then Minister of Youth Affairs.The puzzle remains: with all these
promises, why are the people of Sierra Leone still ranked among the hungriest in
the world? From the onset, the Green Revolution seemed more of a slogan than a
reality.

Momoh was bold enough to admit he had failed the nation. Up till the end of the
tenure of the late President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, Sierra Leoneans continued to
go to bed hungry.The Commission of Inquiry set up by President Bio revealed that
the Youth Farm project never existed. The huge sums of money reportedly spent
could not be accounted for by the then Ministry of Youth Affairs, headed by Bai
Mahmoud.

The core emphasis of President Bio’s government is on the “Feed Salone” agenda.
Similar to previous initiatives, the aim is to increase food supply. However, it is
two-sided. It is, therefore, important to critically examine and write about the
Feed Salone initiative of President Julius Maada Bio. Investigated reports suggest
there is a long way to go before the people feel the impact.

Two years may not be ripe for an impact but the krio proverb says: ‘’Marad wey
go swet nar bachelors eve.’’ Indicating for a wedding to be full with joy the days
preceding the wedding must show positive signs. For feed Salone to be more than
a promise or a slogan, the activities put forward by the government for the two
years span must yield positive results.

Sadly investigative reports reveal farmers a yet to receive fertilizer, tractors are
far reached suggesting mechanize farming is a dream seedling insufficient for
bumper harvest. Even the acreage of farm land including that of President Bio
cannot feed the community it exists not to talk of the population of eight million.

Amidst the claim by government that some amount of money has been reduced
from the importation of rice yet the staple food remained largely imported.
The local grown rice is not visible in the market compared to the imported rice,
when the local rice is available it is expensive.