Blogs - Why this blog?

Location: Blogs Burning Issues Burning Issues
Posted by: ayo Johnson	4/14/2007 2:04 AM
With so many forums and blogs on Sierra Leone, why start another one? Well, for one thing, its probably high time we worked on concrete solutions to problems that have the potential of retarding our country's development. Instead of slagging each other off because we disagree with political viewpoints, we need to insert ourselves into policy making and become agents of sustainable development. This is easier said than done, of course. So the focus is policy, not projects. Proposals, not empty rhetoric. What I hope to generate from this effort is a conscientious community of folks who are willing to look at the issues and propose well thought out solutions. An exchange of ideas through examining whatever available evidence there is with a view to working out the way forward. A think tank, of sorts, which can produce concrete approaches which empower our legislators and community leaders to posit workable alternatives. We'll do our best to involve the sierra leonean media so they can take the discussions forward 'on the ground'. Issues such as land tenure, water (is privatisation the way to go? what are the alternatives?) and any number of EU/DfID/World Bank prescriptions to our Government. In my view, the role of the state in Sierra Leone's development, as in many other developing countries, has been minimised because of our dependence on the international community. There is, of course, no guarantee that the international community is pursuing the best interests of our country. Despite a change in rhetoric - and an apparent emphasis on 'country owned' strategies, we're still seeing cookie cutter prescriptions from highly paid foreign consultants being dished out to our government. Not all is doom and gloom, however. There is also much talk of consultation with the people. But if our strategies are to be truly 'country owned' then we ought to start taking the lead in initiating and designing policy proposals. And we must question critically those proposals initiated by the international community of donors. All are welcome to initiate a discussion. Rules are simple: No anonymous posts. No personal insults. Avoid complaining for the sake of it. Define the problem/issue and explain why there must be a better way. Suggest the better way. Completed policy proposals will be submitted for inclusion in sierra leone portal's online depository, as well as made available as an open source document.

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