By Newman Anthony Levey in Bo
Member of Parliament and the 2018 Flagbearer for the National Grand Coalition (NGC), Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yunkella, is concerned over the potential for instability in the country amidst division along political lines, and he hopes to see a major change of attitude in the New Year.
Dr Yumkella, who spent part of the Christmas holiday in Bo, where he watched the match between Bo Rangers and Kamboi Eagles on December 29, took time to speak to Politico about his fears for the country and what he hopes to see going forward. He particularly would like to see a departure from the current state of animosity, fueled mainly by political division, among Sierra Leoneans. And he expects the government of President Julius Maada Bio to take the lead in charting this new path to national cohesion.
"The country is polarised and there is a big division,” Yumkella, who is the head of the NGC bench in the House of Parliament, said in an interview. He noted that almost all the political parties in the country had internal disputes, which had been prolonged due to public exchanges fanned by the media.
According to Yumkella, the focus of every Sierra Leonean going forward should be beyond the individual interest, which he believes is a major part of the problem.
"I hope in 2020 the government will listen more to the citizens as there is hardship across the country," he said, stressing the need for Sierra Leoneans as a whole to collaborate with one another, particularly at political party level, on issues that are important to the nation and for the wellbeing of the general masses.
The opposition politician also said he wanted to see a Sierra Leone where the people felt free to speak up their minds without intimidation, once they did not do so in a manner that endangers the security of nation or infringe on another man’s rights.
Yumkella said he intended to embark on public lectures as part of a long term mission to enlighten the masses towards nation building.
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