First of all, it’s good news that our president has been appointed to lead the regional bloc, given that he is the second president to head the organization for a very time after late President Siaka Stevens who held that position in the early 80s.

Sierra Leoneans at home and abroad jubilated for the appointment. But despite other things, I hold different view to that appointment, not necessarily I hold personal grudge for the president but I’m a bit confused as to how he is going to handle the regional organization comprising of several countries with huge populations.

I’m wondering how the chairman is going to handle especially human rights and security situations, given that his own country with population just over seven million people is still grappling with tough human rights situation.

There is a common saying that charity begins at home as it is no secret that, since President Bio came to power in 2018 and up to date, the country has been in topsy-turvy.

Now that President Bio has been made Chairman of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), it’s is expected that he cleans his own house first before turning to the others otherwise, he will not be able to handle the situations in other countries.

For the chairman to demonstrate to world that he is up to the task, he has to first of all unite his own country by bringing everyone under one umbrella devoid of political, regional and tribal affiliations which has eaten deep into the fabrics of this nation.

It is a fact that since the President assumed office in 2018, his administration has been charged with particularly human rights abuses, including killings, harassments, victimization of political opponents which he hardly make statement to condemn the wrong doing. The President is accused of having interest in other country’s affairs than his own for which he was elected. For instance, he was quick to statement when a black man, George Floyd was killed in cold blood by White police officers in America.

But now that he has been made chairman, this is the time to showcase his true leadership qualities by first of all bringing all and sundry together as one united people, to ensure peace and unity reign, that will be the path to be able to handle the affairs of ECOWAS as a good leader.

It is abundantly clear that, without peace in your country, you will not been able to ensure peace and stability in sub-region and your Chairmanship will be meaningless.

Mr. Chairman I want you to remember the old adage that, ‘Elephant ade nor to pikin load,’ in the sense that the position you are holding as chairman, is not an easy one, therefore much is expected of you.

Some people widely believe that if you cannot unite Sierra Leone which is just a fraction of ECOWAS, then, you will not been able to unite the entire sub-region. You need to manage the appalling economic hardship and other biting situations facing the people in the country before facing regional problems.

The issue of Yenga is hanging over your head Mr. President, which you need to address before you hand over the baton next year, otherwise it will considered a big slap in your face.

It is a fact that, the Chairmanship of ECOWAS is rotational. If I were you Mr. President, I would have declined the position to save yourself from the barrage of criticisms you are currently facing.