The Africa Report: Have you delivered the new style of government and economic improvements you promised last year?


PRESIDENT ERNEST BAI KOROMA: I centred my campaign on changing how government was run in the country. Taking over government, I inherited an economy that was very weak. The donor community was putting on hold almost all support for the country and the electricity situation was deplorable. We had then just 5 MW power generation capacity and launched the emergency power programme. We increased it during our first 90-100 days to a level of 25 MW. We are limited to 25 MW because of our restricted distribution capacity. We also want to complete the Bumbuna hydro-electric programme. I had a meeting with the donors and the $42m that was outstanding has been pledged. We are now on track in terms of completing the hydro project and the transmission lines.



What do Sierra Leoneans and foreigners say about your performance?


We have regained the confidence of the donor community and we are on track in terms of budgetary support. The World Bank and the IMF are now reviewing our poverty reduction programme. These are all signs of progress within the short period we have been in office. Now, we have not succeeded yet in terms of creating as many jobs as we had hoped, but this is as a result of the circumstances we inherited.



How are you dealing with the urgent need for jobs? 


We are looking at the agricultural sector, improving the road infrastructure, ensuring that farmers have access to inputs and encouraging the private sector to go into farming and to commercialise it. We are also reviewing the mining laws to ensure the mining companies will work in a manner that will increase overall economic activity and jobs. We’re restarting all the road building programmes that were on hold. So in early 2009 the construction of these major roads will start and this will help us create employment for our young people.



In 2009 growth is forecast to slow to 4.8% and tax revenues are falling. How worried are you about the world financial crisis? 


We are trying to become more efficient in revenue collection. We are trying to close leakages. Our plan is get the economy moving faster, adding value to our agricultural exports, trying to get mining projects working as quickly as possible, developing tourism, an area where there’s a huge potential. 


Our economy wasn’t too integrated with the international economy, so the direct impact was limited, but of course we’ll be affected indirectly – some of our development partners may have to review their stance to take account of what has happened internationally. 


Recent reports point to the poor state of health and education, and the lack of jobs. Do you worry that the country hasn’t moved on and war could break out again? 


Well that is the assessment given out. But I believe the people know there’s a lot a difference with conditions in the past. The government is more transparent, it is more accountable, there is a lot of goodwill, it is a process that is gradual. This is appreciated by the Sierra Leonean people. We are trying to run an inclusive government, we are trying to be open in what we do. For us to get through the food and fuel price hikes without any trouble is an indication that the people still have trust and confidence. 



You live in a dangerous region – there have been civil wars in Côte d’Ivoire and Liberia, and there are political ructions in Guinea. That must make your job harder. 


What happens beyond the borders of the country, we don’t have much control over. That’s why we are strong in our engagement with the countries in the region, the Mano River Union and ECOWAS [Economic Community of West African States] – this is the most we can do to ensure that we stay together as a region and maintain good relations with our neighbours. We know that anything that happens in one country will affect another. We are asking for everyone to take measures that will consolidate a peace around the issues of the youth, education and jobs. We have natural resources that we want to develop at a national and a subregional level. Of course, we are not yet out of the woods. In another 36 months, there will be some visible signs of an effective change.

Do you have any clear targets to achieve such as free healthcare?


No, I cannot deliver free healthcare. I can only say that the terrible indicators that we have had – the worst in the UN Human Development Index – will improve. We will not be anywhere near the bottom five countries in the Index at the end of my first five years in power. 


There is free primary education, there is free education for girls… We are going to lay emphasis on the quality of education. We are going to ensure that by the time I finish my first five-year term we will have universities in all the regions of the country.



Your government launched a commission of inquiry into your predecessor, President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah’s government. What are its conclusions? 


They are still working. They have just looked at the support given to the Ministry of Education for a $42m programme from the World Bank and other institutions to support the revitalisation of education, providing support for children in primary schools. The object is to examine the use to which public funds are put – we are of the view that we had support for the period but there is hardly anything to show for it. We want the commission to look into how the funds were managed and to come out with recommendations, not only punitive ones but reforms for the better management of funds.
 


Your country has spent tens of millions of dollars on trials and reconciliation efforts after the war – has it been worth it?


We have taken the position that we need to consolidate peace and that we must implement the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We are adopting practical methods to ensure that everybody feels part of this country and that we don’t repeat the same mistakes. There will be economic development. When there is growth in the country, people feel engaged and happier.


What about the value of the trial of former Liberian warlord and president Charles Taylor which is currently taking place in the Hague?


I’d say it ensures the cycle of impunity comes to an end, that no one can just get up and shoot his way to power, because there are consequences. That’s the deterrent value that it will have with regard to people who want to acquire power through undemocratic means.