By: Kadijatu Bangura, Reporter, D.S
Human rights lawyer Basita Michael has strongly refuted claims made by Presidential Spokesman Alpha Kanu, who stated that 70% of Sierra Leone’s rural population is now employed. Michael characterized Kanu’s assertion as misleading and a dangerous distortion of the country’s employment reality.
In her remarks, Michael emphasized the importance of credible data in public discourse. She referenced a report from the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund, which indicates that over 70% of Sierra Leone’s youth population—approximately 1.5 million—are either unemployed or underemployed, with nearly half being illiterate and unskilled. Furthermore, even those who are employed have been labeled as “working poor” by GIZ, highlighting the severe challenges faced by young people in the country.
Michael urged watchdog institutions such as the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) to actively combat misinformation. She called for platforms like Dubawa and Africa Check to enhance their efforts in addressing misleading statements that overshadow the genuine socioeconomic struggles of citizens.
“Citizens deserve a government and public officials who are honest about the challenges they face, not one that attempts to ‘flip’ their reality,” she said. Michael stressed that the words of those in authority hold significant power and, when used irresponsibly, can exacerbate mistrust and disengagement among the populace.
She concluded with a call for the retraction or correction of Kanu’s employment claims, advocating for greater vigilance and accountability in public communication. “Truth and transparency must remain the cornerstone of responsible governance,” she asserted.
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