**Sierra Leoneans in the Diaspora: Your Future Depends on Today’s Decisions**
Written by *Reggie Cole, The Master Dream Builder*
*7:10:2024*
Too many Sierra Leoneans living abroad believe that the political failings of their homeland do not affect them. They continue to support the same politicians and parties despite decades of ineptitude and corruption. It’s easy to think that living in the diaspora provides insulation from the country’s woes. But this mindset is a grave mistake.
The reality is that your ties to Sierra Leone are more than emotional or cultural; they are also economic and strategic. Many of you may have secure jobs, but what happens when you retire? Research shows that the cost of living in the UK, USA, and other Western nations is rising, making it increasingly difficult for retirees to maintain their standard of living. If the Sierra Leone you knew continues to decline, you’ll find there is no stable or thriving place to return to.
**The Illusion of Financial Security Abroad**
Supporting politicians who have repeatedly failed in office is like investing in a failing business. No matter how much hope or loyalty you pour into it, the returns will be the same—nonexistent. According to a 2022 report by *The Economist*, over 40% of immigrants from African countries in the UK face financial insecurity by the age of 65. Without a strong home base to return to, this insecurity deepens.
**A Lesson from History**
Consider the failed investments and financial disasters of famous lottery winners who believed they were financially invincible, only to lose everything due to poor planning and mismanagement. The same applies to the political investments we make. Politicians, much like bad investments, must be held accountable. Albert Einstein once defined insanity as “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Supporting leaders who have consistently failed the country is no different.
**Retirement Realities and No Safe Haven**
In 2020, a *Financial Times* analysis showed that by 2040, more than 60% of retirees will face housing insecurity in major Western cities due to rising costs and inadequate pension plans. What will you do then, when your resources are stretched thin, and there’s no viable alternative to return to Sierra Leone? Political inaction today means that tomorrow you will have neither the stability of the West nor the safety and comfort of a functioning homeland.
**Time for a New Generation of Leaders**
It’s time to stop supporting individuals simply because of party loyalty or tribal affiliations. Sierra Leone’s decaying political landscape is a direct result of these outdated attitudes. The dilapidated residences of past leaders like President Kabba and President Stevens stand as a stark reminder: failure in leadership leaves scars that can last for generations.
**A Call to Action**
If Sierra Leoneans at home and abroad continue to empower the same failed leadership, then the country will remain trapped in its cycle of poverty and stagnation. You owe it to yourself, your children, and your future to demand better. Seek out leaders who are equipped, qualified, and committed to genuine progress—not just recycled promises.
Take control of your future. Don’t let your support be blind. Remember, if you keep voting for the same people, you’ll keep getting the same results. The true definition of insanity, as Einstein suggested, is expecting change from a leadership that has never delivered.
Let this be the turning point.
Reggie Cole,
The Master Dream Builder
7:10:2024
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