Unlocking Sierra Leone's Promise : A United Path to Prosperity.

One People Alliance Movement (OPAM) 2028 Policy Platform 

As the flagbearer for the Oll People Alliance Movement (OPAM), my 2028 presidential campaign centers on a transformative agenda titled "Unlocking Sierra Leone's Promise: A United Path to Prosperity".  

This platform builds on Sierra Leone's untapped potentials in resources, agriculture, energy, tourism, and human capital, while addressing entrenched challenges like poverty, corruption, infrastructure deficits, and climate vulnerability.  

Drawing from successful models in Botswana, Ghana, Rwanda, and Singapore, the policies emphasize sustainable growth, inclusivity, and accountability.This Kothor Kothor agenda is structured into five pillars, with specific, actionable commitments for implementation from 2028-2033.  

Each pillar includes measurable targets, funding strategies, and partnerships to ensure feasibility. OPAM's vision is to elevate Sierra Leone to middle-income status by 2040, with annual GDP growth of 5-7%, poverty reduction to below 50%, and universal access to basic services. 

Pillar 1: Economic Diversification and Growth  

Considering that Sierra Leone's economy remains overly dependent on mining exports, making it vulnerable to global shocks. OPAM will prioritize diversification through agriculture, sustainable resource management, and emerging sectors like tourism and agro-processing. 

Agriculture and Food Security:  

We will Expand the "Feed Salone" initiative into a national "Green Harvest Revolution." Invest SLE 500 billion (approx. USD 25 million) annually in modern irrigation, hybrid seeds, and mechanized farming on 100,000 hectares of arable land.  

And Establish agro-processing zones in Bo, Kenema, and Makeni for cocoa, coffee, and palm oil exports, creating 50,000 jobs by 2030. Targeting rice self-sufficiency by 2032, reducing imports by 80%. By Partnering with the African Development Bank (AfDB) and private firms for technology transfers. 

Sustainable Mining and Resources:  

Reforming the mining sector with a "Transparent Wealth Act" mandating public audits of all contracts and 30% revenue reinvestment in local communities. Diversifing into green minerals (e.g., bauxite for aluminum in renewables) and enforce environmental standards to prevent degradation.  

Aiming for mining's GDP contribution to rise to 20% sustainably, while launching a National Mining Academy for skills training. Collaborating with international investors under strict anti-corruption clauses. 

Tourism and Services Sector Boost:  

By Developing "Eco-Salone" as a brand, investing SLE 300 billion in infrastructure for beaches, national parks (e.g., Outamba-Kilimi), and cultural sites. Building eco-lodges and improve Freetown's airport connectivity, targeting 500,000 annual tourists by 2033 (up from 100,000). Promoting digital services like fintech hubs in Freetown, aiming for 4-5% annual growth in the services sector. Securing funding from the World Bank and EU for marketing campaigns. 

Overall Growth Targets:  

We will aim to Achieve 5-7% annual GDP growth through tax incentives for FDI (e.g., 10-year holidays for green investments) and a National Export Promotion Board. Reducing trade deficits by 50% via value-added exports. 

Pillar 2: Infrastructure and Energy 

Considering that Poor infrastructure hampers growth; OPAM will focus on connectivity and clean energy to power industrialization. 

Transport and Connectivity:  

We will Launch a "Connect Salone" program with SLE 1 trillion investment over five years in roads (e.g., upgrading the Freetown-Bo highway), ports (expanding Lungi), and rural bridges. Usiing public-private partnerships (PPPs) with Chinese and European firms to build 2,000 km of all-weather roads, reducing transport costs by 40%. 

Energy Transformation:  

We will be Committed to the Energy Transition Plan by investing USD 2 billion (via loans and grants) in hydropower (e.g., expanding Bumbuna) and solar farms, aiming for 80% renewable energy by 2035 and full electrification by 2030.  

We will Install 500 MW of solar capacity in rural areas, creating 10,000 jobs. And Introduce smart grids to end outages and subsidize off-grid solutions for remote communities. 

Digital Infrastructure:  

We will Roll out nationwide broadband with 5G in urban centers, partnering with telecom giants like Orange and Africell.  

We will establish a « Digital Economy Ministry » to foster e-governance and startups, targeting 1 million digital jobs by 2033. 

Pillar 3: Human Development and Jobs 

With 70% youth under 35 and high unemployment, OPAM will invest in people as the nation's greatest asset. 

Youth Employment and Skills:  

By Create a "Youth Empowerment Fund" (SLE 400 billion annually) for vocational training in agriculture, mining, tech, and green jobs. Launching mandatory national service programs linking education to employment, aiming to cut youth unemployment to 40% by 2033. And Supporting entrepreneurship with microloans for 100,000 young startups. 

Education and Health Reforms:  

Allocating 25% of the national budget to education and health. By Building 500 new schools with STEM focus, achieve 90% literacy by 2033, and introduce free secondary education. In health, expand clinics to reduce maternal mortality by 50%, vaccinate 95% of children, and combat diseases like malaria through universal health insurance. Partnering with WHO and UNICEF for implementation. 

Poverty Alleviation:  

Implement targeted social safety nets, including cash transfers for 1 million vulnerable households and women's microfinance schemes. Reforming land laws to empower small farmers, reducing poverty to below 50% by 2030. We will be Focusing on gender equity with 40% quotas for women in leadership roles. 

Pillar 4: Governance and Anti-Corruption 

Trust in institutions is low; OPAM will restore integrity through reforms. 

Institutional Strengthening:  

By Enacting an "Integrity Pact" for independent judiciary, Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) with prosecutorial powers, and digital transparency in public contracts. Mandating asset declarations for all officials and e-procurement to cut leakage by 50%. 

Fiscal Responsibility:  

By Broadening the tax base (e.g., vehicle and property levies) to raise domestic revenue to 20% of GDP. Reducing debt through prudent borrowing and aim for a balanced budget by 2032. We will Establish a Sovereign Wealth Fund from resource revenues for future generations. 

Inclusivity and Peacebuilding:  

Promote national dialogue forums involving civil society, women, youth, and diaspora. By Ensuring fair elections via ECSL reforms and decentralize power to districts for better service delivery. 

Pillar 5: Climate and Sustainability 

In Sierra Leone, Climate change threatens agriculture and coasts; OPAM will integrate green policies. 

Environmental Protection:  

We will Launch a "Green Shield Initiative" with SLE 200 billion for reforestation (planting 10 million trees annually) and coastal defenses against erosion. By Enforcing bans on illegal logging and mining in protected areas. 

Resilience Building:  

Investing in climate-smart agriculture (e.g., drought-resistant crops) and early warning systems for floods. Aiming for net-zero emissions by 2050 through carbon credits and green bonds. 

International Partnerships:  

Secure funding from MCC, EU, and UN for green projects. Joining the  African Green Deal initiatives and leverage diaspora remittances (targeting USD 500 million annually) for sustainable development. 

Our Implementation Framework 

• Through Funding: Blend domestic revenues (40%), FDI/PPP (30%), and international aid/loans (30%). Annual budgets will prioritize pillars with performance audits. 
• By Monitoring: Establishing an independent OPAM Oversight Commission with KPIs (e.g., job creation, GDP growth) tracked via a public dashboard. 
• Timeline:  

Phase 1 (2028-2030): Reforms and investments;  

Phase 2 (2031-2033): Scaling and evaluation.