http://allafrica.com/stories/200904160630.html
Concord Times (Freetown)
Sierra Leone: Need for an Aggressive Affirmative Action - a Case for the ACC
John Baimba Sesay
16 April 2009
opinion
Our relentless efforts as a people toward attaining a cohesive
national development must be coupled with the willingness on the part
of those who will be the benefactors of such development. Development
must have it very beginning from the hearts and minds of men.
Only recently, the British government dished out millions of pounds to
the Sierra Leone government as support to Sierra Leone's recovery
programme. Part of the money is meant for the country's health sector.
Precisely 16 million pounds is meant for reproductive health in Sierra
Leone, and two million pounds for Sierra Leone Anti-Corruption
Commission.
As a nation that has been crippling to overcome the memories of a
decade long civil conflict, we must appreciate the efforts of the
international community in helping us reach the top echelon of
national development. Over and again, the donor community has been
doing its very best in complementing the efforts of our elected
leaders to see to it that we move steps ahead, instead of
retrogressing. The British must be commended for their effort in
pushing us to development. It is their taxpayer's money that is being
poured into our country
Only recently again Agnes Koroma, a Guest Writer for 'New Vision'
press wrote recently that 'we are all witnesses to and sometimes
active participants in our nation's history...' Sierra Leone is in a
transition period and we must be prepared as a country to tell
generations yet unborn how that transition unfolded. Things are
happening in certain corners of the country that have not got the
required attention, a case in point, being the health sector of the
country.
The health sector of a given nation must be the key priority of that
nation, if at all it is to attain the Millennium Development Goals.
Health, they say is wealth, but when the health of a nation is being
gambled, then we are doom. I recently highlighted some of the key
successes that have occurred at the Ministry of Health and Sanitation,
under the leadership of Soccoh Kabia, and the current Minister Sheku
Tejan Koroma.
I wrote that maternal mortality rate became reduced from 1,300 in 2005
to 857 in 2008, accounting for a 34% decline, also under five
mortality dropped from 265 in 2005 to 140 in 2008, accounting for a
47% decline, infant mortality dropped from 158 in 2005 to 89 in 2008,
and accounting for a 43% decline.
I also wrote that reducing child mortality is one of the core goals of
the Millennium Development Goals and that if we have been making
strides in that direction, then Sierra Leone stands a better chance of
meeting the MDGs. I also referred to the Reproductive and Child Health
Strategic Plan that was launched and this plan comprised of key
strategies like improving on quality health care delivery in the
country.
These are all achievements we must praise ourselves for. However,
there has not been much in fighting corruption at that ministry. No
doubt, Mohamed 'Champion' Koroma and his Boss, Sheku Tejan Koroma have
been making frantic efforts of late to bring sanity into the ministry.
Mohamed Koroma for instance has exposing corrupt practices in key
departments at the ministry. When he was at the ministry of
information, he practically succeeded in giving Ibrahim Ben Kargbo a
helping hand in bringing sanity into that ministry, and likewise is
what he is now trying to do at the health ministry.
There are recent reports about how millions of Leones, have been
chopped at the Cottage hospital, with reference to drugs supplied to
that hospital and the monies not accounted for. This was how the SLPP
dug it grave, thus leading to their removal from office. They failed
to properly monitor how drugs were being used, and not only drugs, but
other state resources. This should not be allowed to happen, if this
regime is to experience political longevity.
This is just the case with cottage hospital, after the deputy minister
was reported to have made an unannounced visit to the hospital last
week, and only for him to discover some nefarious activities taking
place. This must be happening in other government ministry and I
think, the strides of Mohamed 'Champion' Koroma should be emulated.
If drugs, meant to be sold at cost recovery basis are not accounted
for, for a period exceeding three years, I wonder what the authorities
were doing, had it not been for the intervention of Mohamed Koroma and
his boss. This should also be a case for the Anti Corruption
Commission. Thank God, cash has been given to that commission for it
to effectively undertake its activities. They should dig into the
matter.
Go down to the local levels and see how people are suffering. The
other day, Awoko newspaper carried a good investigative report about
how people in Bonthe were/are? Suffering; about how they lacked
medical doctor, and worst still, about how dogs were tenants at the
government hospital. This is a sad scenario to say the least. That
media report helped the Island in getting a doctor, and I think that
was encouraging
But if drugs meant for patients are being sold and then, few people
think such monies should be used to enrich themselves, then the ACC
must make them explain thoroughly. This is time for the ACC to act. Le
72M worth of drugs must be some large quantity of drugs and this must
be made known to whosoever is responsible. The Minister and his deputy
at health must be given the support needed. We must have an aggressive
affirmative action that should serve the interest of all and sundry
and not just a selected few corrupt people. Corruption must be stopped
at all levels.
Again, the press should keep watchful eyes on the issues, since they
were the pones to expose it. I learn the deputy minister of health has
ordered two personal at cottage dispensary, as reported by the press
to give account for the money. It is hopeful that the ACC can also
intervene in this direction.
Again, the donor community should also thoroughly monitor this, and
other issues. Thank God, the British High Commissioner to Sierra
Leone, Ian Hughes has said the DFID team in Sierra Leone every pound
that is put into Sierra Leone 'is put to good use...' I look forward
to seeing that happens.
