Ibrahim Ben Kargbo, Special Adviser to President Koroma of Sierra Leone, is a versatile and seasoned journalist. With over 35 years of jounalistic experience and political sojourn, his views and comments receive the President’s attention. His recommendations on topical matters form a corner stone in the present government’s decision-making process. He spoke to ABUBAKAR HASHIM on current issues facing the nation

Sierra Leone has just commemorated her 54th Independence Anniversary. How will you reflect the achievements and challenges so far?

We took over the reigns of power under difficult circumstances. The country was short of infrastructural basic necessities, almost at a collapsing state. When we came in, Mr. President decided to under-take a structured approach toward solving these teething problems. With electricity, he insisted that the capital city of Freetown should have light within 100 days. That was achieved. Moreso, the price of cereals, particularly rice, had gone up in the international markets. But we stabilized the prices, particularly rice, our staple food. This was also the period when the prices of petroleum products soared internationally. We stabilized this sector by ensuring availability of the products and ensured price stability. So also road construction was made a priority in the President’s plan of action for the country. He has matched-up his commitments, by meeting his words with action. The entire country is now covered with all- tarred roads.

•Ibrahim Ben Kargbo

In the power sector, Bumbuna had been lying fallow for over 35 years. Today, Bumbuna is operational. In the Agricultural sector, close to 10 to 11 percent of the budget is for agricultural development. We now have agricultural centres all over the country to encourage our farmers to have access to the processing of their products.

The President also introduced the free medical program to beef- up the medical infrastructure in the country, particularly for pregnant women, lactating mothers and children under 5 years old. In other words, he had a structured approach towards these programs.

Talking about Independence, we must also give credit to our past leaders particularly Sir Milton Margai and Siaka Stevens.

The present government has increased the face of good governance, with lots of reforms in various institutions. We also give women and disabled perasons visibility in government.

In the President’s speech on the 54th Independence anniversary, he declared that “the war on Ebola is a war on humanity”. He also promised to set up a day of remembrance after Ebola. What are your views on his speech?

Ebola was an unexpected crisis on these 3 affected countries. As such, it has 3 negative consequences. It has medical consequence in terms of the alarming death-toll. It has an economic effect which has severely crumbled business activities. It also has social consequences which means Sierra Leone was almost declared a pariah state. Sierra Leoneans could not be accommodated elsewhere. Ebola patients in the country are marginalized. Indeed, we need to put a date aside in remembrance of Ebola. Ebola has interfered and negatively affected our Agenda for prosperity blue- print

The matter of the then Vice President has received waves of interests, particularly in the international media. What really went wrong?

The matter is still in the Supreme Court and it will be prejudicial for me to comment in detail on this matter. However, The President, as the leader of the party used his authority to appoint Alhaji Sam Sumana as his running mate to the dissatisfaction to other members of the party. He appointed him again as his running mate for the second term in 2012. This shows that the President, honestly, preferred Sam Sumana. There are other more competent, credible individuals. But he insisted on Sam Sumana. The President used to say…..”I’ll take full responsibility in appointing Sam Sumana as my running mate”.

The President did not single- handedly sack his Vice. A committee was set up that cuts across all shades of opinons. The committee met, deliberated and presented its findings to the National Advisory Committee of the party. It was then the Advisory Committee took the decision to expel Sam Sumana from the ruling party. This is what I can say. The other aspect of him being removed as Vice President is in the court. The judiciary has a free hand to look into this matter.

There is a new government in Nigeria, the All progressives’ Congress (APC) and Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) as new president-elect. What message will you send, on behalf of the All Peoples’ Congress (APC) in Sierra Leone?

We are going to give all the support for President-elect, General Muhamadu Buhari. However, we do not cast any aspersions on President Goodluck Jonathan. Nigeria is our big brother in West Africa. We congratulate Buhari and we will work with him.