By Hassan I. Conteh
Sierra Leoneans, a good number of them, have quietly spent the festive holidays in the country and they’re expecting to return to their normal, busy business by next week this month.
Others don’t seem to have it nicely during Christmas and New Years’ holidays. They’re concerned about the high costs on public transport as they also lacked more cash in their pockets to go to some bars, trade fairs (local tangais festivals), parties, football contests, area carnival shows, etc.
There are more who are still upcountry as they managed to have a quiet time there with their loved relatives.
A new year is in now with hopes for many and sadness for others. That’s the world all over! There can always be twist of events in life.
But what matters most is peace for the people and respect for their lives in any country.
At the moment, there are suppressed worries by some poor people now over price increases on foodstuff (rice) and other materials in the country.
It’s something that our government will need to work on smoothly and quickly to attain ‘greater happiness for the greater majority –the very poor – who’re buying a cup of rice daily and could not save a few cash to tote home a bag of rice.
By observation, this year 2024, lots of overseas home-merry-makers flooded with barrel and second hand clothes.
A woman, on the eve of Christmas, was heard telling others about a homecoming of her family members from America (USA).
“This year JC then cam oh; (this year more diasporas arrive in Sierra Leone,” she admitted.
And it sounds to be true like she said. More emigrants are seen around the capital and most are expected to fly over to overseas end of January.
They came to celebrate or accomplish a project in hand or otherwise.
This is possible when there is peace in a country.
Though the country is struck with inflation as prices on goods and commodities rise sharply, many people even the poor youth are able to go out on night shows to enjoy good music and drinks.
Peace in a country of inflation is better than hardship in a country of war.