In a heated parliamentary debate on November 21, 2024, Honourable Sallieu Osman Sesay (SOS), representing Bombali District, delivered a scathing critique of the proposed 2025 Budget, controversially labeling it the “Kush Budget.” His analogy drew parallels between the destructive effects of the illicit drug kush and what he described as the slow collapse of Sierra Leone’s economy.
Hon. SOS highlighted several key concerns, including skyrocketing inflation, an unsustainable wage bill, and a volatile exchange rate, arguing that these factors are crippling the nation’s financial stability.
“Sierra Leone now ranks second from the bottom on the global poverty index,” Hon. SOS lamented, describing the position as deeply shameful for any patriotic citizen.
The MP accused the former Minister of Finance of deceiving the public with unfulfilled promises made during the Bio administration’s campaign to fix the “bread and butter” economy within six months. He criticized what he called the government’s over-reliance on semantics to gloss over worsening economic challenges.
Citing a claim by the current Minister of Finance that inflation had decreased to 20%, Hon. SOS urged MPs to examine real market conditions. He argued that rising prices and widespread hardship contradict such optimistic figures, calling for genuine solutions to address citizens’ suffering.
Hon. SOS expressed disappointment in the nation’s stagnant GDP growth rate, which remains at 3–4.5%, far below earlier targets of 20%. While he commended the Finance Ministry for convincing the IMF and World Bank to rebase the economy—allowing for increased borrowing capacity—he criticized the government for misallocating loans toward wage bills and travel expenses instead of capital projects that could drive economic stability.
He further dismissed claims of exchange rate stability, pointing to disparities like the Guinea Franc trading at NLe 4 and $100 surpassing NLe 2,430. He emphasized that Sierra Leone’s heavy reliance on imports continues to fuel inflation and exacerbate price volatility.
Hon. SOS urged Parliament to prioritize implementing effective policies over partisan interests. He warned that the country’s economic woes would persist unless meaningful reforms were enacted to tackle inflation, stabilize the exchange rate, and redirect funds toward development-oriented projects.
“Celebrating perceived economic victories without addressing the underlying issues will only prolong the suffering of ordinary citizens,” he cautioned.
Concluding his remarks, Hon. SOS called for bold action to address Sierra Leone’s economic challenges, reiterating that failure to act decisively could leave the nation’s financial future in jeopardy.
