This November or December edition of Sierraeye closes a hard year for Sierra Leone. The country faced a fall in reserves to 1.5 months of import cover. Rice farms faced floods and fires that erased about 128 million dollars in value each year. Forest loss grew faster. Democratic practice faced strain as new political ideas entered public debate with high risk.
Hope still pushed through. A new canopy walkway rose above trees near Tacugama. A poet called the nation to remember past wounds. Rural women gained income from a growing gara dye economy. A chef in Louisiana placed Sierra Leone flavours on global tables.
The cover story, Bad Santa: The Christmas Gifts No One Asked For, reviews the World Bank’s Seventh Economic Update. Eight harsh truths sit before the country. Only 41,000 jobs appeared when the economy needed 75,000. Debt interest took funds needed for health care. Borrowing costs above 10 percent and frequent blackouts slowed business activity. Anti corruption systems recovered less than 2 percent of stolen public money. These trends drain national hope.
Under Politics and Governance, we explore the push for proportional representation and ideas for executive power sharing. One writer warns that leaders can use the idea of “inclusion” to protect narrow interests. Another writer argues for careful reform that removes the poison of winner takes all politics. This section also reviews President Bio’s leadership in a tense ECOWAS period. A strong case also appears for the nomination of Zainab Hawa Bangura for UN Secretary General. The world has waited eighty years for a woman in the role. Sierra Leone offers a strong candidate.
In the Environment and Climate section, we the urgent warnings – climate shocks destroy about 128 million dollars in crops each year, mainly rice and cassava. Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary closed in protest at forest loss. Staff later opened the first rainforest canopy walkway in the country. The walkway brings hope but also raises a clear question. Will government protect the Tourism Development Area and enforce rules or will chainsaws take the forest?
A major essay reframes Krio identity as the return of displaced children rather than a sign of colonial privilege. Joseph Kaifala, once a child prisoner, explains how untreated trauma fuels the present kush crisis. Oumar Farouk Sesay warns against collective forgetfulness. Maryann Kaikai from Madam Wokie calls for strong support for creative industries to reduce youth joblessness and unsafe migration. Chef Niema DiGrazia brings palm wine and cassava leaf risotto to new audiences after a major cooking victory in the United States. A reflection on Time explores older, event centred rhythms from ancestors and calls for renewal of those patterns for public wellbeing.
In the Health section, we review a crisis created by a shift away from fermented foofoo, breadfruit and native mangoes. Ultra processed imports helped drive diabetes and high blood pressure across the country. A second report highlights a major success against mpox. Daily cases dropped from hundreds to single digits. Recovery reached 98 percent. Strong teamwork made this possible.
We highlight the pain around The Bo School Dream Deferred. New buildings shine across the campus while the unifying spirit of the school weakens. Regional and partisan pressures threaten the original vision. President Bio’s support rebuilt the physical structure. Leadership must now protect the school’s founding values.
Why Are Airline Tickets to Sierra Leone So Expensive? explains why a short flight from Banjul to Freetown costs 600 dollars. Fuel plays a small role. An ECOWAS resolution promises relief from January 2026.
In Sports, we celebrate Napheesa Collier of the WNBA. Her success shows girls across Sierra Leone that heritage and global excellence work together.
A final piece, Success Abroad Is Not Africa’s Victory, argues that each achievement in the diaspora exposes national systems that pushed talent away.
This edition offers honesty instead of comfort. Only clear understanding leads to progress. Sierraeye remains committed to this work as the year ends.
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