Ph.D. (In View): The Road to Recognition Without Achievement

Somewhere in this jungle of academic aspirations, we have turned “in view” into a permanent residence. You cannot just be “Mr. Okoro.” God forbid! You must be “Dr. Okoro (in view).” Even if the view is still in the far horizon, like the Mambilla Plateau seen from Wukari.

The road to the doctorate, which should be a lonely and rigorous journey of research and reflection, has turned into an expressway of certificates-for-sale. Somewhere in the crevices of our educational system, PhDs are being issued faster than sachet water. For the right price, you can get your “Doctorate in Leadership and Transformational Strategic Governance” from a mushroom university that doesn’t even have a functioning website.

“Congratulations to His Excellency, Dr. Chief Hon. (Ambassador Extraordinary) Senator Engineer Pastor Prince Alhaji Barrister (Ph.D., DBA, JP, OON) on your well-deserved appointment.” At this point, even angels in heaven are confused.

There’s a peculiar sickness that has gripped our dear Nigeria, one that doesn’t cause fever or headache but swells the ego faster than garri in hot water.

My brother and friend a full professors. (not in view), Chris Kwaja recently wrote in his Reflections—"Nigeria and the obsession with titles. What title is the Ph.D. in view?”

It was one of those posts that stab the conscience but tickle the ribs at the same time.

When I saw it, I called him—Chris, my brother in view—and we had an extensive conversation on how we got here.

We both laughed, sighed, and asked the same question: Who should we blame? The Mallam in view or the system that is viewing him?

Let’s not pretend—we are a title-loving people.

From “Honorable” to “Engineer,” “Chief,” “Alhaji,” “Evangelist,” and now, “Ph.D. (in view).”

Somewhere in this jungle of academic aspirations, we have turned “in view” into a permanent residence. In Nigeria, once you start your Ph.D., even if you haven’t finished your proposal, you have earned the social right to update your WhatsApp bio to “Dr. (in view).”

And woe betide you if you forget to add it in your next conference attendance tag; how else will people respect you? You cannot just be “Mr. Okoro.” God forbid! You must be “Dr. Okoro (in view).” Even if the view is still in the far horizon, like the Mambilla Plateau seen from Wukari.

Once upon a time, we went to school to learn. To read, to think, to expand our minds, to pursue knowledge for its own sake. Now, education is a fashion show. The Ph.D. gown has become an agbada for intellectual owambe.

Back in the day, we used to say, “He is a scholar.” Now, we say, “He has a Ph.D.” The difference? The scholar reads, the Ph.D. poses.

The road to the doctorate, which should be a lonely and rigorous journey of research and reflection, has become an expressway of certificates for sale. Somewhere in the crevices of our educational system, PhDs are being awarded at a rate faster than sachet water.

For the right price, you can get your “Doctorate in Leadership and Transformational Strategic Governance” from a mushroom university that doesn’t even have a functioning website.

It used to be cars, then houses, then foreign trips. Now it’s a Ph.D. And like all Nigerian status symbols, it’s not the substance that matters; it’s the show.

At weddings, people now introduce themselves like this:

“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, permit me to recognize the presence of Dr. (in view) Mrs. Amina Bala Mohammed, who is currently rounding off her thesis on ‘The Impact of Instagram on Marital Fidelity in Gombe Metropolis.’”

We clap. We nod. We smile. We have normalized mediocrity dressed in regalia.

Meanwhile, some of the most intellectually stimulating people in the room may not even have a Master’s degree. But they don’t count because in our society, knowledge without a title is like soup without salt.

Let’s be honest, the problem didn’t start with the Ph.D. hunters. The system created them. Our institutions have replaced scholarship with certification. We worship paper, not ideas. We have built an economy of degrees instead of an ecology of learning.

We judge competence by the length of titles on letterheads. You can’t be appointed a consultant unless you have a Ph.D. Even if your field experience could fill ten libraries. We are quick to say, “We need qualified people,” when what we really mean is “We need titled people.”

It’s the same disease that makes a Nigerian pastor add “Dr.” before his name because his congregation will give more respect and more offerings if he is a doctor. It’s why political appointees get honorary doctorates the moment they assume office. And it’s why you’ll see billboards reading:

“Congratulations to His Excellency, Dr. Chief Hon. (Ambassador Extraordinary) Senator Engineer Pastor Prince Alhaji Barrister (Ph.D., DBA, JP, OON) on your well-deserved appointment.”

At this point, even angels in heaven are confused.

A friend once said the only thing longer than a Nigerian Ph.D. journey is the Lagos traffic. Both are full of bumps, frustration, and constant viewing without arriving. But unlike traffic, most people never get to the destination.

We all know someone who started a Ph.D. in 2010 and is still “in view.” If you ask, they’ll tell you, “I’m finalizing my chapter four.” Chapter four has now become the Bermuda Triangle of Nigerian academia—many enter, few return.

And those who finish sometimes emerge with these so shallow they couldn’t fill a teacup. Yet, we celebrate them with convocation ceremonies, hire them to teach others, and call them “Dr.” without blinking. The system claps, the Mallam bows, and mediocrity gets a standing ovation.

Somewhere between our obsession with titles and our neglect of substance, we lost the essence of scholarship. A real scholar is a servant of knowledge. He doubts, questions, argues, and refines ideas. But today, our so-called academics spend more time forming WhatsApp groups for the “PhD in View Scholars Association” than reading or researching.

The university, which should be a temple of ideas, has become a marketplace of CV-padding. Supervisors are overworked, underpaid, and sometimes underqualified. Universities are underfunded, libraries are understocked, and plagiarism is underpunished.

In this chaos, the “in-view” culture thrives.

So, back to my conversation with Chris. Who do we blame—the Mallam in view or the system that is viewing him?

The truth is, both are guilty.

We have created an ecosystem where you can’t be heard unless you prefix your name with “Dr.” So everyone rushes to get one, legit or otherwise. The irony? The more “Doctors” we produce, the sicker our intellectual health becomes.

“Wanting recognition without achieving the target,” I told Chris, “the Ph.D. is on the road.”

We laughed—but it was a bitter laughter. Because truly, that’s where many are: on the road, seeking applause for a race they haven’t finished.

In a saner clime, the title “Doctor” carries weight. It means years of disciplined inquiry, contribution to knowledge, and mastery of a field. You are a global citizen! In Nigeria, it often means you survived university bureaucracy, paid your dues (literally), and printed a thesis few will ever read.

Our Ph. D.s are on the road because we have turned learning into logistics. We move from one seminar to another, taking selfies with PowerPoint slides, quoting Paulo Freire without understanding him, and uploading certificates online as if they were badges of sainthood.

What we need is a cultural reset, a return to scholarship for its own sake. We must make it cool again to read, to think, and to question. To pursue the doctorate of thought, not just the doctorate of title.

Supervisors must demand rigour, universities must reward originality, and the government must fund research as a national priority, not a luxury. Above all, society must learn to respect knowledge—whether it comes with a title or not.

Until then, “Ph.D. (in view)” will remain our new national joke—an endless highway of ego, where everyone is viewing and no one is arriving.

So, to “Mallam in view,” I say:

May your view one day become clear.

May your thesis find coherence.

May your supervisors reply to your emails.

And may your defense be less terrifying than our economy.

But until then, my people, let us remember:

A true scholar does not need to shout “Dr.” before wisdom speaks.

"Ph.D. (In View): The Road to Recognition Without Achievement." The article critiques the culture of valuing the title over substance and original contribution to knowledge, highlighting systemic issues in universities and societal attitudes toward academic credentials. The author uses this to call for a cultural reset that respects genuine intellectual achievement rather than just the appearance of it.

The Shadows of Corruption: A Diplomatic Passport Scandal and the Silence of Power

The recent revelations concerning diplomatic passports, alleged drug trafficking connections in Turkey, and the deafening silence from our government compel us to speak truth to power with unwavering clarity.

Let us begin with a question that haunts the conscience of every honest Sierra Leonean: How does a man who accepted three brand-new jeeps as gifts become the guardian of our nation's drug enforcement efforts? This is not merely a matter of poor judgment; it is a betrayal of the public trust so profound that it 'shakes the very foundations of institutional integrity.'

When the Parliamentary Select Committee approved this appointment despite such glaring ethical concerns, they did not simply make an error. They made a choice. They chose expediency over excellence, personal loyalty over public service, and in doing so, they opened wide the floodgates through which corruption now flows freely across our land.

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Most Read from YAME Digital: SIERRA LEONE

Henry Leijdekkers, Brother of the Netherlands Fugitive Drug Kingpin Jos Leijdekkers, Recaptured

Turkish authorities released photos of Alleged Abdullah Alp Üstün and drug organized crime group member Hasan Lala, who were captured in the United Arab Emirates with Sierra Leone Diplomatic passports, according to sources.

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The consequences of this moral failure are now painfully evident.

Drugs proliferate in our communities like weeds in an untended garden, poisoning our youth, destroying families, and undermining the social fabric that holds our society together. We must ask ourselves: Is this a coincidence, or is this a consequence?

Video Courtesy: KUSH victims' death en de homeless na salone den dae put de body na resbag en lef na treet lek die-dog. Sad state!

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Now comes news even more disturbing, news that connects the dots between diplomatic privilege and international drug cartels.

Reports have emerged from Turkey alleging that a Sierra Leone diplomatic passport was involved in a cocaine trafficking operation, which reportedly involves family members of the highest office in our country.

The specifics of these allegations are serious enough to warrant immediate, transparent investigation.

Yet what do we hear from our government? Silence.

The same administration that celebrated with such theatrical exuberance when securing international funding now retreats into the shadows when accountability comes knocking at their door.

This silence is not golden. It is cowardly.

It is the silence of those who have much to hide and little courage to face the truth.

Instead of forthright leadership, we are subjected to a parade of government propagandists, those willing mouthpieces of power who rush before the cameras with denials that reek of desperation.

These are not journalists seeking truth; they are mercenaries selling their integrity for a paycheck. The recent revelation that the Chief Minister and Solicitor General paid office rent for a sympathetic media outlet in London merely confirms what discerning citizens have long suspected: much of what passes for news in support of this government is nothing more than purchased propaganda.

How tragically ironic that this payment itself became news, thereby exposing the very machinery of deception it was meant to fuel. In their attempt to manipulate public perception, they have instead revealed their methodology. The public now sees clearly that they are being lied to systematically, deliberately, and with government funding.

The credibility of our Immigration office lies in ruins.

If gifts of luxury vehicles can purchase the favor of those charged with protecting our borders, what else might be bought?

Who else has been compromised? How many diplomatic passports have been issued not in the service of our national interest, but in the service of criminal enterprises?

These questions demand answers, yet we hear only evasion and excuses.

The Foreign Minister’s response to these allegations epitomizes the doublespeak that has become the trademark of this administration.

He declares the Turkish reports to be false, yet simultaneously announces an investigation to determine their veracity. This is not leadership; this is linguistic gymnastics designed to confuse rather than clarify, to obscure rather than illuminate.

The Foreign Minister’s response to these allegations epitomizes the doublespeak that has become the trademark of this administration. He declares the Turkish reports to be false, yet simultaneously announces an investigation to determine their veracity. This is not leadership; this is linguistic gymnastics designed to confuse rather than clarify, to obscure rather than illuminate.

Let us speak plainly.

You cannot simultaneously dismiss allegations as lies while investigating whether they are true. Such contradictory statements insult the intelligence of the Sierra Leonean people and reveal a government more concerned with public relations than public service.

The people of Sierra Leone have a fundamental right to know the truth. We have a right to know if our diplomatic credentials are being exploited by criminal networks. We have a right to know if corruption has infected our immigration services. We have a right to know if those in positions of power are using their influence to shield wrongdoers from justice. And we have a right to demand that our government answer these questions with honesty, transparency, and urgency.

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.

When corruption is allowed to thrive in the highest offices, it spreads throughout society, normalizing dishonesty and rewarding unscrupulous individuals. When those responsible for enforcing the law act unlawfully, the entire social contract breaks down. When government officials accept bribes disguised as gifts, they not only compromise their own integrity but also undermine the nation's values.

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Most Read from YAME Digital: SIERRA LEONE

Sierra Leone: When the Head of the Fish Rotten, the Whole Body Spoils

Sierra Leone stands as a tragic masterpiece in the gallery of failed governance—a living proverb of what happens when the head of the fish is rotten and the rot infects every organ, fin, and scale of national life.

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The time for silence has passed. The time for excuses has expired. The time for accountability has arrived.

We call upon every institution of civil society, every independent journalist, every religious leader, every educator, and every ordinary citizen who loves this country to demand answers. We call upon the international community to assist in uncovering the truth about these allegations. We call upon the conscience of every government official who still possesses one to speak out against the corruption that threatens to consume our nation.

History will judge us not by the challenges we faced, but by how we responded to them.

Will we be remembered as the generation that stood silent while our institutions crumbled? Or will we be remembered as those who found the courage to demand better, to fight for justice, and to hold power accountable?

The choice is ours. The moment is now. And the world is watching.

An Editorial: Culled ©️

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BREAKING: Femi Claudius-Cole Calls Out The SLPP For Being Inept And The Supporters Have A Go At Her. Use the Pinch gesture or Tap the blue circle on the video player to enlarge the view.

School Celebration Outdoing Each Other in Good Works

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Ponder My Thoughts by Andrew Keili

“Sierra Leone will thrive when we care for her as much as we care for our alma mater.”

— Source: Basita Michael

“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works.”

— Hebrews 10:24

A new phenomenon has emerged in Freetown — The School Thanksgiving Celebration.

Well, actually, it is not new but is a lot more noticeable now that march-pasts of Secondary schools have become a source of intense rivalry, especially between very old schools that boast of a rich history.

We witnessed Annie Walsh celebrate a milestone anniversary last year. Many say they set the gold standard that will be hard to match. The success of the fundraising with jaw-dropping amounts collected, pomp and pageantry, and the many innovations put other pretenders in “panic mode”.

Not to be deterred, Methodist Girls’ High School (MGHS) also “performed” admirably but found it difficult to surpass Annie Walsh.

Another famous Boys’ school (call name nor mix!) tried to raise the bar, which they did quite successfully, except for slight problems caused by some of the purple blazers having running colours under the rains and staining the white trousers of some unfortunate old boys.

We have had our recent rivalry between the Sierra Leone Grammar School (SLGS) and the Prince of Wales (POW) School.

A brief history of these schools is in place.

The Sierra Leone Grammar School was founded on 25th March 1845 as the Church Missionary Society (CMS). Grammar, the first secondary school in Sub-Saharan Africa. Fourteen students from the Fourah Bay College Christian Institute were transferred as pioneer students to begin the school at Regent Square.

Of the fourteen boys, five were from Mende land, three from Kissy Village, two from Regent, one from Kent, one from Port Loko, and two from Freetown.

They offered English Grammar and composition, Greek, Geography, Astronomy, Mathematics, Bible History, and English History. Writing, Music, Recreation, and the Church’s 39 articles. Later, Euclid, Algebra, and Latin, a voluntary class subject, were added. In 1962, the school moved to the present site at Murray Town.

The SLGS in its early days produced clergyman, school masters, tradesmen, clerks, etc., to serve the needs of not only Sierra Leone but West Africa.

The Prince of Wales School was initially known as the Government Secondary School.

On the 5th of April 1925, the Prince of Wales arrived in Freetown on the HMS Hood. He named the school, THE PRINCE OF WALES SCHOOL, and stated that the Foundation Day of the School would be the 6th of April.

The site had formerly been owned by the Sierra Leone Coaling Company and used as a Coaling Station that had its own jetty at the back of the main building.

The school was founded to foster science education and studies in modern languages in Sierra Leone.

Grammar school had its Thanksgiving service at Saint George’s Cathedral. Older alumni were required to board specially emblazoned white “kekehs,” but many refused the offer and chose to march. March, they did, and if rumour is to be believed, there were lots of aching bones and brisk sales of arthritis pills at pharmacies. It is heartening to note that the school dedicated a plaque to the memory of the founding students.

Despite the successful march past, there were still a few snafus. Their school ties, which had been specially ordered for the occasion, did not arrive on time, and many were forced either to use their old ties or look for alternatives in the Pultney Street “jongs market”, no doubt taking a quick glance around to ensure they were not spotted.

One Grammar school boy told me about what went wrong- “We ordered the ties on time, but an old boy who is an expert in Critical Path Analysis got his sums wrong and the ties landed on the wrong continent. Anyway, we will keep them for the next anniversary.” They say ‘misery likes company’ and even those who, because of climate change (making it rain when it was not its season), had their purple coats stain their white trousers could be seen chuckling.

The Prince of Wales’ occasion went like clockwork. They had Christian and Muslim worship services and also marched through the streets of Freetown.

They went the extra mile to be different. They planned on having a lion from the Mara Park in Kenya. This idea was floated around for some time until Mara Park put out a press release to the contrary, and our ever-vigilant police, adept at snuffing out illegal demonstrations, were quick to put out an “absolutely no marching lions” press release. Even without the lion, they looked majestic in their uniforms, and their march past attracted the largest number of onlookers.

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The Prince of Wales School Celebrates 100 Years of Excellence

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The long convoy had a couple of “dignified” Wrangler Jeeps (a sharp contrast to the Grammar School Kekehs).

There was just one tiny flaw. One of the Wrangler jeeps—a green one nearly caught fire and attracted quite some attention.

Detractors said their plan to “suffer posh” had come unstuck.

POW alumni accused a garage owned by a Grammar School alumnus of “fixing” the car. One feature different from other schools was the number of politicians—potential flagbearers, and other political apparatchiks that were present.

The Chief Minister, Dr. Sengeh, Dr. Sylvia Blyden, Adi Macauley, Mohamed Kamara aka Jagaban, Dr. Sama Banya, Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyer (a Conventonian- watcha going on?) were amongst those present.

People who were thought to be at odds with each other were now united in the pursuit of one goal- supporting their alma mater.

This gives true meaning to the biblical saying - “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat …” (Isaiah 11:6).

This utopian harmony could only have been possible because of their affinity to their alma mater.

A laudable feature of both of these schools is the school song.

The chorus in the Grammar school song is indeed endearing and we (yes, we! That’s another pondering) Grammar school boys sing it with such gusto: “Live forever, Sundered never, Faltering never…”

Never mind that many students have not bothered to find out the meaning of sundered! The very poetic Verse 4 illustrates they did not just attend the Grammar school for academic learning,

“Oh! tis not the nerve or sinew or learning store alone

That the school upon her sons bestow, which stamps them for her own.”

The chorus in the POW song is:

"For searching Sierra Leone far and wide, no school can well be found that sends forth truer gentlemen or stands on firmer ground."

As someone remarked- “Many of those “searching Sierra Leone” have not gone far beyond Kingtom-not even as far as Waterloo to declare their school as the best school in Sierra Leone. And I hope by “firmer ground” they are being metaphorical about academic grounding and not the physical ground which is constantly washing away as the sea threatens to engulf this citadel of learning.”

The fourth verse of the POW school song, introduced by the late principal, William J. Davies, in 1936, perhaps best illustrates why it is essential for alumni to meet occasionally:

“Though scattered far, we seldom meet the friends our boyhood knew, Old joys and griefs in memory dwell, toned down to sober hue, And as some well-remembered name grows great, we glow with pride, To think that in our youthful days, we struggled at his side.”

Poetic, veritable words of wisdom! Na buk man den dis bobs!

But let’s get back to the celebrations and decide who won. Some people have endeavoured to list down some metrics for comparison. One of these included attire, processional orderliness, big guns, most popular with the ladies, onlookers, and crowd attendance, and religious diversity, but some of these, especially the last one, would unfairly favour only one school.

Grammar school’s case was messed up a bit by a present-day student, who remarked about the celebrations: “E nor fine sef.”

He obviously came in for some roasting. What was he expecting? A plate of rice to be served to all students? The way Hassan Harouni described the POW occasion, one would be tempted to award them the winner’s prize- “Elderly Princewaleans holding court in swanky vehicles like royalty”, “trumpets, trombones, snares and tubas all blending into a majestic sonic bouquet.” But then he is an alumnus and may not be dispassionate.

Asmaa James gave it to Grammar school for “orderliness, comportment and neatness”, and added: “The use of kekehs was more creative than Wranglers.” But then she is an Annie Walsh alumnus (Anglican school) married to a Bo school boy (You can never know about the Bo school motive)!

A Grammar school alumnus described the hype around the POW celebrations as fake- “Promising to bring along the King of England, Wrangler with no fuel and the fake lion proves my case.” He continued- “When small boys are planning (80 years age difference), they must involve their elders.

POW now stands for “Push overheated Wrangler.” Ouch! This hurts!

The Police also came in for some roasting for not warning the public about the infamous Grammar school fireworks at Youyi building, which were mistaken for gunshots. I will be diplomatic with my overall verdict—Na draw game!

Grammar school and POW are done for this year, and we will prepare for the next milestone celebrations. Other schools will continue in their footsteps, and the healthy rivalry will continue to the benefit of not only the alumni but the schools.

The concept of "outdoing each other in good works" will continue encouraging them to consider how they can stimulate one another toward love and good deeds. They will continue with selfless service and unwavering commitment to the well-being of students in these schools.

Long may these celebrations continue and let us as Sierra Leoneans endeavor to emulate these associations in our deeds in other spheres of life- especially the political sphere. Basita is right to note that “Sierra Leone will thrive when we care for her as much as we care for our alma mater.”

We in Sierra Leone Have Become Completely 'Tonto,' Transitioning Into a Far More Dangerous Realm of Drug Trafficking

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“The U.S. State Department has classified Sierra Leone as a drug transshipment country. According to reports from the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, Sierra Leone is used as a key transit hub for international drug trafficking, particularly for cocaine moved from South America and Asia to Europe, and to a lesser extent, the United States. The country faces significant challenges with drug trafficking and money laundering, compounded by pervasive corruption and weak law enforcement, making it a critical node in global drug transit routes.”

— Source

Sierra Leone's enduring struggles are rooted in a long and troubled history that stretches back centuries. From the oppressive grip of colonialism to the challenges of post-independence, leaders have continuously twisted the truth to advance their agendas. This betrayal has not only persisted but has become entrenched within the very institutions of the country. Each institution—political, judicial, or administrative—harbors its own set of moles that undermine the system.

2025 World Happiness Report Sierra Leone is 146 in 147 countries - see page 21 (we managed to best Afghanistan). How SAD!! https://t.co/1IgzpsDhly

No surprises. Politicians don't have solutions to the problems, and they don't want to admit what they and everyone else knows.

— Yame.space (@SpaceYame) March 21, 2025

These agents of deceit ensure that the truth is buried beneath layers of bureaucratic confusion, feeding the public a steady diet of misinformation.

We have gone totally ‘Tonto.’

Often referred to as the ‘Athens of Africa,’ Sierra Leone is a land rich in potential, boasting 44 minerals containing rare earth elements, arable land, fertile soil, predictable weather, and a rich cultural heritage. However, behind this impressive façade, the country's elites have inflicted significant damage on both the nation and its economy. As a result, we have completely lost our way.

Beautiful beyond description
But......alas racked with extreme poverty hunger pain heartache drug abuse corruption water shortages no electricity
#Salone pic.twitter.com/e02GwoQT2B

— NyamakoroSilla (@toubuya) April 8, 2025

Sixty-four years after our country's independence from the British on April 27, 1961, our country still struggles to find a path toward prosperity. While other African nations have made significant progress despite facing similar historical circumstances, we now find ourselves in an even more precarious situation.

Graduating instead to a much more dangerous territory of international drug trafficking.

‘The entanglement of political figures, security forces, and administrative officials with narcotics traffickers has not only facilitated the cartel’s operations but has also eroded public trust in democratic governance and jeopardized both national and international security.’

“We have completely gone ‘Tonto.’”

— Theo Edwards

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“SIERRA LEONE: COCAINE CARTELS AND THE RISE OF STATE CAPTURE”

— Source

Sierra Leone has come under renewed scrutiny as a key transit hub for international drug trafficking. A damning report by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs underscores the extent of the crisis, stating that "drug trafficking and money laundering remain prevalent, with the country being used as a transshipment point from South America and Asia to Europe, and, to a lesser extent, the United States." The report further highlights that corruption is a “pervasive problem in Sierra Leone that compromises citizen access to basic public services and institutions such as health, education, and the police. The criminal justice system is inefficient and backlogged.” ( Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs: Sierra Leone Summary - United States Department of State)

Escalating role in global drug trade

Sierra Leone has become a critical hub in international cocaine trafficking, with increasing seizures and arrests linked to the country. The World Drug Report 2023 identified eight African nations as emerging markets for the cocaine trade between 2019 and 2022. Among them, Sierra Leone stands out, with record drug seizures in 2021. —page160: WDR23_B3_CH8.pdf.

The country’s role in the global narcotics trade became even more evident when Belgian authorities traced the second-largest shipment of cocaine entering their ports to Sierra Leone, seizing six tons of the illicit substance in 2024. (Big Drop In Drug Seizures At Belgium Mega Port As Latam Busts Soar - Barron's)

Cocaine seizures

The increasing use of West African maritime routes by traffickers is exemplified by a significant drug interception in November 2022. The French Navy, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies from Brazil, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, intercepted a Brazilian tugboat 400 miles off the coast of Sierra Leone. The vessel, under surveillance since its departure from Brazil, was carrying over 4.6 tons of cocaine worth approximately €150 million (US$157.8 million). If distributed in the UK, authorities estimate the drugs could have generated more than £300 million (US$366.4 million) in criminal profits. (French Navy Seizes 4.6 Tons of Cocaine from Brazilian Tugboat | OCCRP)

(The French Navy)

Sierra Leone's link to the global cocaine trade has been further reinforced by multiple arrests involving traffickers with ties to the country

On January 9, 2025, Joy Gulmatico, a 29-year-old Filipina, was apprehended at Manila’s Ninoy Aquino International Airport attempting to smuggle 4.57 kg of cocaine worth PHP 24.2 million ($416,240). She had travelled from Sierra Leone via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (Filipina traveler caught with P24-M cocaine at NAIA | Philippine News Agency)

On 17 January 2025, in Mumbai, India, authorities arrested Thoma Mendy, a 40-year-old Senegalese national, for smuggling 2.6 kg of cocaine valued at ₹26.62 crore ($3 million). Mendy admitted he had received the drugs at a hotel in Sierra Leone before embarking on his journey. (Mumbai: DRI Arrests 40-Year-Old Senegal National For Smuggling Cocaine Worth ₹26.62 Crore At CSMIA; Reveals Syndicate Ties)

On 8 February 2025, the authorities in Liberia seized a “shipment of 234 kg of cocaine at Bo Waterside, a key border crossing with Sierra Leone.” (Liberia’s Growing Drug Crisis: Weak Justice System Turning Nation into Traffickers’ Haven - FrontPageAfrica)

In May 2022, a major cocaine seizure occurred in Burkina Faso, where 115 kg of the drug was discovered in a vehicle that had originated in Sierra Leone before crossing through Guinea and Mali en route to Ghana. (See page 14: TOCTA_Sahel_drugs.pdf)

High-profile UK smuggling operation

One of the most striking cases implicating Sierra Leone in global drug trafficking occurred in June 2022. The UK's National Crime Agency (NCA) intercepted a Merseyside-based organized crime syndicate attempting to smuggle 1.3 tonnes of cocaine into the UK. The drugs, concealed within a shipment of garri flour from Freetown, had an estimated street value of £140 million. The operation, codenamed "Lemonlike," identified Darren Schofield, also known as "Thor," as the ringleader. Six members of the gang were sentenced to a combined 75 years in prison in December 2024. ( Drugs boss set up front company for Amazon and Argos goods to smuggle cocaine worth £140m - National Crime Agency) (Thor' and his gang smuggled £140m of cocaine into the UK from Sierra Leone - Liverpool Echo)

Diplomatic controversy

On or about January 17, 2025, no fewer than seven suitcases filled with cocaine were discovered in a Sierra Leone embassy vehicle in Guinea, raising diplomatic and legal questions about official complicity in drug smuggling operations. (Sierra Leone: Suitcases of suspected cocaine found in embassy vehicle - BBC News) | (YAME Digital)

State capture

The Africa Confidential Special Report, titled "President Bio Keeps Cocaine Lord in the Family," Sierra-Leone-Cocaine-Lord-Special-Report-1.pdf provides compelling evidence of state capture in Sierra Leone by narcotics traffickers. The report details how Jos Leijdekkers (also known as Chubby Jos, Mocro Mafia Boss, Bellos Jos, and Omar Sheriff), a convicted Dutch cocaine kingpin, has infiltrated the highest levels of Sierra Leone's political and security structures. (Mafia boss 'Chubby Jos' tracked down after pics gave away location but shock twist means cops can't touch him…for now | The US Sun) He has effectively infiltrated and commandeered state institutions to serve the interests of his criminal enterprise. (YAME Digital)

In 2008, Sierra Leone’s state apparatus cooperated to ensure that those who flew a plane-load of cocaine into the country were apprehended and handed over to the United States. However, this remains the only instance where cocaine traffickers have been arrested with the collaboration of the Sierra Leonean government. Since then, the landscape has drastically changed, with mounting evidence that state institutions are now complicit in the drug trade rather than combating it.

Various investigative reports have exposed the cartel's deep political ties in Sierra Leone. Notably, Africa Confidential reveals that Leijdekkers, also known as Omar Sheriff, has a personal connection to the presidency, as he is romantically involved with Agnes Bio, the daughter of President Julius Maada Bio. Agnes Bio holds a diplomatic position at Sierra Leone’s Permanent Mission to the UN in New York, a role that grants her diplomatic immunity. This raises concerns that the cartel may be using diplomatic privileges to facilitate its operations under official cover.

Reports from Africa Confidential and other international sources indicate that Leijdekkers and his cartel have infiltrated Sierra Leone’s security forces, securing logistical support and protection for their smuggling operations.

This suggests a deliberate subversion of security institutions, prioritizing the interests of the cartel over national security.

The issuance of official documents to cartel members is another strong indicator of state capture. Both past and present Chief Immigration Officers have been implicated in providing passports to cartel operatives, enabling their unrestricted international movement. This abuse of authority demonstrates the cartel’s ability to manipulate immigration systems for illicit purposes.

Evidence has emerged that the Queen Elizabeth II Quay, also known as Deep Water Quay, has been used as a hub for massive cocaine shipments to Europe. Despite multiple cocaine seizures abroad linked to shipments from Sierra Leone, the Sierra Leone Police have taken no action, further signaling state complicity.

Despite overwhelming evidence of state institutions being exploited by the cartel, there have been no prosecutions. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), which is empowered to initiate legal proceedings, has remained silent and inactive, suggesting either intimidation or collusion. The ACC’s failure to act reinforces the perception of a compromised justice system.

Money laundering and rapid asset accumulation by government officials have reached alarming levels. High-ranking officials, including the Chief Immigration Officer, have reportedly acquired multiple properties in the United States and elsewhere in quick succession. This sudden wealth accumulation abroad strongly indicates money laundering and illicit financial flows, further entrenching the cartel’s economic influence.

Conclusion

These indicators paint a clear picture of a criminal organization that has effectively captured state mechanisms, bending them to its will and undermining the rule of law. The entanglement of political figures, security forces, and administrative officials with narcotics traffickers has not only facilitated the cartel’s operations but has also eroded public trust in democratic governance and jeopardized both national and international security. Addressing this crisis requires urgent, coordinated action at both domestic and global levels to dismantle the cartel’s grip on state institutions and restore institutional integrity, justice, and accountability.

Abdoul Mahdieu Savage | Contact: Renewal News Network Limited | Send Email

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KARACHI: March 23, 2025: Pakistani authorities have intercepted an attempt to smuggle 5.6 million Tramadol Hydrochloride tablets, valued at Rs2.8 billion (US$10 million), disguised as a towel export to Sierra Leone.

The case follows a similar seizure last month, where 21.8 million Tramadol tablets and 7,000 capsules worth Rs10 billion were confiscated.

“Nations Committed to Security Stand Against Drug Trafficking!”

— Watch the Video

They go to great lengths to smuggle the drugs, only to be outsmarted by customs agents. Anyone considering the risks of drug dealing across borders should learn from this.

As The Opposition Wins in Senegal, is Democracy in Africa Really 'Backsliding'?

The term ‘democratic backsliding’ Is much in vogue.

But it is misleading, and for Africa, wrong.

Senegalese women cast their ballots in the presidential elections in February

The term ‘democratic backsliding’ Is much in vogue. But it is misleading, and for Africa, wrong.

We all know to what it refers: the recent flurry of coups in Africa, the unconstitutional changes of government, the growing number of 100% predictable election results, the ‘legislative manipulation’ or legal maneuvers to limit the number of candidates or restrict the number of voters to increase the chances of an incumbent (or their party) winning again, the constraints on journalists, media and free speech to obstruct or limit opposing views … These are real and worrying developments.

But the phrase also carries assumptions about what democracy is, how it should behave, and what form it should take, which may not be either appropriate or useful.

It is possible to see what is happening in an alternative light: that democracy in Africa is evolving, just in a different direction than that presumed by many outside observers. The debate over the best form(s) of governance in Africa is real and live: one frontline lies between the Alliance of Sahelian States (AES) and the remaining members of ECOWAS. But it also encompasses the long-running dispute over the viability of the relatively authoritarian ‘developmental state,’ with Rwanda and (once upon a time) Ethiopia seen as the models.

It is no coincidence the Sahel juntas have been sending missions to Rwanda to learn how to do it, though they should remember that this model can all too easily slide towards civil war: the attempt to repress differences can lead simply to a more violent expression of them.

This debate matters not just for Africa, but globally. China and Russia are explicitly challenging the ideological hegemony of Western-style democracy, along with its supporting infrastructure of human rights, multilateral organizations, and the international rule of law, as the best model for achieving peace and prosperity. At the least, they argue, other countries should be free to decide whether these norms are right for them.

In 2023, Xi Jinping launched China’s ‘Global Civilisations Initiative, its ‘Global Development Initiative’ and a ‘Global Security Initiative’.  Like the old Belt and Road Initiative, these are designed to re-orient the world towards China, in this case ideologically rather than physically.  While their substance remains vague, the initiatives provide an alternative to the ‘Western’ norms embodied in the UN, its multilateral institutions, and the multiple charters and agreements promulgated under its auspices.

They are an integral part of efforts to re-frame the debate from one of ‘democrats vs. authoritarians’, to ‘the Global South and its reliable friends in the Global East vs. the neo-colonialist exploitative West’.  The latter narrative is gaining traction in Africa, boosted by the Gaza crisis, where Western countries are seen (hypocritically) as quick to condemn Hamas but slow to criticize the huge death toll Israel has inflicted on Palestinian civilians. 

Recent polling by Afrobarometer suggests that an average of 66% of Africans want to live in a democracy, but not necessarily the one they’ve got.  Only 38% are satisfied with the way their democracies operate, while 53% are now willing to contemplate military intervention if elected leaders fail in their duties. 

This reflects the ease with which electoral democracy has been manipulated, making people feel increasingly disenfranchised. In Senegal we have just seen popular protest, international pressure and robust judicial institutions stop one attempt to prolong a presidential term – and ultimately lead to the dramatic defeat of the government, even though the election was anything but free and fair. 

Elsewhere, however, as in Guinea or Gabon, military intervention may be the only way to change the regime. The question is not whether a country has the trappings of democracy, but whether the system works, enabling people to change a ruler when they want to.

The key criteria for a system of governance that people will trust are whether it provides adequate accountability, balance, and a mechanism for peaceful succession. A fully functioning, robust democracy can provide all these things, but even the oldies (like the UK or the US) can find it difficult. Many other countries, not just in Africa, are still searching for their formula to meet these criteria.

Balance, for example, requires that powerful groups, peripheral regions, or minorities feel their views or interests are adequately represented in governance structures. Elections alone rarely provide this. Accountability and trust will be lacking where too many people feel that the formal mechanisms benefit only an elite who decide when it is ‘their turn to eat.’

In the Sahel, five countries now have de facto military governments, but Mauritania and Chad have been more successful at maintaining an adequate balance as well as a modicum of democratic forms. They have also remained closer to ‘the West’ while the three juntas have explicitly realigned themselves with Russia. Is it therefore their international allegiance rather than their governance structures that matter in how they are viewed?

I would argue it is more than that. Whatever their original motivation for seizing power, and their use of anti-French rhetoric to legitimize their rule, the juntas in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger seem determined to resist any external accountability to ECOWAS or AU norms of governance and reject the notion that civilian rule should be re-established within a time-limit. Hence their apparent determination to leave ECOWAS despite the economic hardship it would inflict on their people – unless, of course, they can change the balance of power within ECOWAS to support new, more flexible norms.

So democracies along the coast have good reason to be wary of the juntas’ intentions. To protect themselves, they – and their rulers – need to be more scrupulous in respecting the current norms, and reflecting their citizens’ views in government so that citizens have a greater sense of ownership and will resist efforts to overthrow it. This is the best defence of democracy and in effect what we have seen in Senegal. But governments in Nigeria, Cote d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and Togo need to take urgent note.

My conclusion is that the current crisis of governance in Africa may just as likely lead to a renewal of democracy as a further slide into authoritarianism.  It is the less accountable systems – in Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, and Togo – that are most at risk.  Nevertheless, Africa’s norms, embodied in the AU Charter on Democracy, Elections, and Governance, are under threat as authoritarian governments can now find willing international supporters to back them up.

The fate of democracy in Africa is in the hands of the African people themselves. But those trying to strengthen it deserve all the support we can give.

Nick Westcott for DiA— Nick Westcott is Professor of Practice in Diplomacy at SOAS University of London and former Director of the Royal African Society.

Congratulations on Your Graduating with a Master of Business Administration—MBA!

Sarah B H Ellis; MBA

Arden University, Birmingham, UK; Class of 2023

Congratulations, and we are so proud of you!

We're so proud of you for all your hard work and dedication. An incredible achievement to earn an MBA, but it is even more impressive to do so while juggling work, studies, and family responsibilities.

Congratulations on Your Graduating with a Master of Business Administration—MBA!

I know that it was not easy, but you never gave up. You worked hard, stayed focused, and never let anything get in your way —an inspiration to many, and we are so grateful to have you as a family.

Your MBA is a testament to your intelligence, drive, determination, and commitment to excellence. We know you have big plans for the future, and we're excited to see your accomplishment; with your skills and knowledge, you can make a difference in the world. 

We wish you all the best in your future endeavors. Congratulations again, Aru, and we are so proud of you! Continue to do amazing things.

Tagged: #Arden University, Birmingham, UK | #StageClip | #ClassOf2023

Obama becomes minority owner, strategic partner for NBA Africa

NBA Africa oversees the Basketball Africa League

yahoo!news (by Biba Adams)

Former President Barack Obama’s investment in Basketball Africa will be used to support youth and leadership programming for the Obama Foundation across the continent.

Former President Barack Obama has hit another milestone.

America’s beloved first commander-in-chief has become a strategic partner and minority owner in the National Basketball Association (NBA)’s African league — Basketball Africa.

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U.S. President Barack Obama plays basketball during the annual Easter Egg Roll on the White House tennis court April 1, 2013 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

NBA Africa oversees the Basketball Africa League which has seen investment from former basketball stars, Dikembe Mutombo, Grant Hill, and Junior Bridgeman.

Obama’s investment in the league will be used to support youth and leadership programming for the Obama Foundation across the continent, reports CNN.

The exact terms of Obama’s investment have not been disclosed.

In a statement, the former president wrote, “The NBA has always been a great ambassador for the United States—using the game to create deeper connections around the world, and in Africa, basketball has the power to promote opportunity, wellness, equality, and empowerment across the continent.

“By investing in communities, promoting gender equality, and cultivating the love of the game of basketball, I believe that NBA Africa can make a difference for so many of Africa’s young people.”

The former president’s father was from Kenya on the east of the continent.

NBA Africa’s CEO Victor Williams reportedly wants to build corporate partnerships, expand content and media rights, and support local governments seeking to build new basketball arenas.

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NBA Africa CEO Victor Williams (Photo: NBA Africa)

The league is currently made up of 12 teams and games are broadcast to 215 countries and territories across the continent.

According to CNBC, 55 players in the NBA are either native Africans or first-generation immigrants from the continent. The Basketball Africa League is being viewed as a new source for scouting and developing players.

Former NBA players Luol Deng and Joakim Noah are investors in the NBA Africa league via Helios Fairfax Partners Corporation which also counts NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and NBA Chief Operating Officer Mark Tatum on its board.

Silver shared a statement of glowing praise about the former president, writing, “We are honored that President Obama has become a strategic partner in NBA Africa and will support our wide-ranging efforts to grow the game of basketball on the continent.”

“In addition to his well-documented love for basketball, President Obama has a firm belief in Africa’s potential and the enormous growth opportunities that exist through sports. NBA Africa will benefit tremendously from his engagement.”

Former President Obama has long expressed his love for basketball, previously acknowledging that while he loved the sport, he did not possess the skills to go professional. Still, throughout his presidency, Obama often played basketball on White House grounds and even invited NBA stars like LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant to go head-to-head with him.

news.yahoo.com

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Related Article: NBA Communication

NBA names Victor Williams CEO of NBA Africa - Official Release

August 10, 2020

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Obama Foundation

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Banking, Real Estate & Technology, Headquartered in Rwanda

Mara Group & Mara Foundation

Africa Reach – An African company with investments and operations in 25 countries across the continent

By Theo Edwards

Made in Africa

The first high specification, affordable smartphone manufactured in Africa, Mara Phones is committed to enhancing and enriching the lives of the people of Africa. Manufacturing in Africa enables job creation and also making the smartphone more affordable to all, contributing to business and development on the continent. Manufactured in Africa, ready for the global market!

Established in 1996, Mara has grown from a small computer hardware trading firm in East Africa to a multi-sector group with investments and operations spanning 25 African countries and 3 continents.

Why Africa? “The Lion Awakes: Adventures in Africa’s Economic Miracle” by Ashish J. Thakkar is the true story of today’s Africa, one often overshadowed by the dire headlines. Traveling from his ancestral home in Uganda, East Africa, to the booming economy and (if chaotic) new democracies of West Africa, and down to the “Silicon Savannahs” of Kenya and Rwanda, Ashish J. Thakkar shows us an Africa that few Westerners are aware exists.

Mara’s technology ventures capitalize on the rapidly growing smartphone and internet markets creating a suite of platforms that are tailored locally.

“The rise of the African Middle Class is expected to fuel consumption growth. This will provide a considerable opportunity to invest and meet the burgeoning demand. McKinsey projects that, by the year 2030, the top 18 cities in sub-Saharan Africa will have a combined spending power of $1.3 trillion. Africa’s retail banking sector is projected to grow 40 percent by 2020” ~The Realities of Africa. Learn More.