Opposition Chief Whip AKK Critiques Govt’s Claims During Presidential Debate

On Thursday, October 16, 2025, Parliament concluded the Presidential Debate, attended by citizens from all walks of life — marking a significant moment in Sierra Leone’s democratic process.

During the debate, the Opposition Chief Whip, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara, delivered a candid address on critical issues affecting the lives of ordinary Sierra Leoneans. His remarks served as a strong counterpoint to the government’s narrative of progress.

Economic Concerns and Inflation Debate

Hon. Kamara accused the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) government of attempting to mislead the public with claims of economic stabilization, particularly regarding inflation.

He noted that while the government boasts about reducing inflation to 9%, it fails to acknowledge that under its leadership, inflation had soared from 11% in 2017 to 54% before declining. According to him, the recent drop has brought no meaningful relief to citizens, as the prices of essential goods remain high.

“The government wants praise for controlling inflation, but the reality in our markets tells a different story,” he stated. “If this is what success looks like, then I thank the President for a poorly done job.”

Questioning Local Production Claims

Hon. Kamara also challenged the President’s claim that local production had increased by 13%, describing it as “an insult to the intelligence of the people.”

He questioned how such growth could be claimed when locally produced rice remains more expensive than imported rice. He recalled that a bag of rice cost Le 200 when the SLPP assumed office, but prices later rose to NLe 1,000, with only a slight reduction following years of public outcry — still far beyond the reach of many earning the minimum wage.

“The government’s statistics do not reflect the reality faced by struggling families,” he emphasized.

Education Sector Under Scrutiny

Turning to education, Hon. Kamara accused the government of misinforming the public about teacher recruitment. While the government claims to have recruited over 5,000 teachers last year, he stated that available data shows only 7,000 new teachers have been added to the payroll since 2018, bringing the total to 37,000.

He clarified the difference between recruitment and replacement, arguing that most of the new additions were replacements for retired or resigned teachers, not an expansion of the workforce.

Hon. Kamara further questioned the government’s claim of constructing over 1,000 classrooms, citing a lack of transparency about their locations and calling for verifiable data.

“The government is painting a false picture of progress,” he remarked.

Call for Honest Governance and Reform

In conclusion, the Opposition Chief Whip urged the government to speak truth to power and adopt practical solutions to address challenges in the education sector. His recommendations included:

• Ensuring timely payment of school subsidies
• Improving the welfare of teachers
• Removing partisan politics from the education system

Hon. Kamara concluded that genuine development requires honesty, accountability, and people-centered policies, not political rhetoric.