By Saraphina Nicol-Sesay
As I focused hard on completing a work assignment, a colleague of mine began lamenting the deeply entrenched corrupt and self-serving system of Sierra Leone and, by extension, Africa. Frustrated by the repetitiveness of this conversation, I tried several times to shift our focus elsewhere. To me, it seemed like an overplayed refrain without tangible impact. Here's why.
Last week, I had the privilege of attending a highly enlightening national event for youth leaders, addressing Gender-Based Violence and Post-Election Challenges. The event, organized by RAINBO Initiative and Partners, featured remarkable presentations by Human Rights professionals. Among them, Barrister Rashid Dumbuya's talk on the Role of Youths in Enhancing Democracy and Good Governance deeply resonated with me.
In his presentation, Barrister Dumbuya highlighted various obstacles impeding youth engagement in governance, such as illiteracy lack of patriotism, political intimidation, and segregation. Yet, what struck me most was the issue of self-pity. He pointed out that many Sierra Leonean youths attribute their failures and lack of progress to unfortunate circumstances or limited opportunities. He shared his personal journey – from being born into a family of 14, living in abject poverty with uneducated parents and often having to fight with his siblings over who gets “the last mould of rice” to becoming a very successful international human rights lawyer and a proficient lecturer of Law.
Although I initially resisted engaging in the discussion with my colleague, seeing it as unproductive, I ultimately found myself reflecting Barrister Dumbuya's perspective. I emphasized that youths have an active role in securing a prosperous future, rather than solely relying on government opportunities. My colleague countered with examples of the system not working in our favor, such as limited avenues to pursue professional careers in sports beyond Football in Sierra Leone, which itself is marred by rampant corruption and nepotism.
I wholeheartedly conceded with my colleague's argument, our country and Africa as a whole are plagued by corruption and self-serving leadership. Consequently, numerous youths face limited education, employment opportunities and access to essential amenities like shelter, electricity, water, and food.
Yet, the incessant complaints about persistent corruption and widening inequalities have persisted since ‘my grandfather was a boy,’ with little or no change. Arguably, the situation has only worsened with time. The status quo favors a select few, while the majority languish in poverty and mediocrity under a government that was elected to bring about change.
To drive my point home, I posed a series of thought-provoking questions. If the system inherently opposes the majority of youths, who shapes this system? The Oxford Dictionary defines a system as a set of principles or procedures governing actions – an organized method. If the system comprises principles, who establishes them? Given the prevalence of corrupt leaders in Africa, why do youths, who constitute a significant portion of the population, continue to elect and support them?
I firmly believe that success is influenced by an individual's mindset and self-discipline as much as it relies on collective responsibility. The famous adage "be the change you wish to see" resonates here. My increasing weariness with discussions centered on relying on the government for growth and success stems from my belief that the constant complaints do nothing but foster complacency and validate the existing state of affairs instead of seeking solutions.
Many Sierra Leonean youths, I contend, excessively rely on the government to create a conducive environment for success, neglecting their role in forging their own paths. Proverbs 18:16 asserts that a person's talents create opportunities, and elevates them before great men. In my interpretation, this verse underscores that the prevailing 'system' can only change if young people focus more on empowering themselves, and rely less on the government. We must prove our worth through visionary thinking and self-discipline, thereby achieving personal success.
Only then can we wield the knowledge, power, and influence needed to reshape the detrimental structures and mechanisms that consistently hinder us. With this transformation, I believe we will be able to build to a positive system, fostering the holistic development of the youth and society in Sierra Leone and the entirety of Africa.
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