Hon. SOS Blasts 2025 Budget, Calls It a ‘Kush Budget’
By Benjamin S Conteh
Honourable Sallieu Osman Sesay (SOS), representing Bombali District, has harshly criticized the 2025 Budget, branding it the “Kush Budget.” During a heated parliamentary debate on Thursday, 21st November 2024, Honourable SOS drew a controversial analogy, likening the country’s deteriorating economy to the slow, destructive effects of kush consumption.
He argued that just as kush gradually destroys those who consume it, the economy is being crippled by skyrocketing inflation, unsustainable wage bills, and an unstable exchange rate. Highlighting the nation’s dire economic standing, Honourable SOS pointed out that Sierra Leone ranks second from the bottom on the global poverty index a position he described as shameful for a patriotic citizen.
The MP accused the former Minister of Finance of deceiving the public, recalling promises made during the Bio administration’s campaign to fix the “bread and butter” economy within six months. He criticized the reliance on semantics to mask the harsh economic realities and warned that failure to implement the policies on paper would eventually expose the government.
Citing claims by the current Minister of Finance that inflation had decreased to 20%, Honourable SOS challenged his colleagues to visit markets and observe the real price trends. He noted that prices continue to climb, leaving citizens to endure worsening hunger and hardship. He urged MPs to refrain from celebrating perceived economic victories and instead focus on addressing these critical issues.
Reflecting on unfulfilled promises from 2018, SOS pointed out that the GDP growth rate remains stagnant at 3–4.5% despite earlier targets of 20% growth. He commended the Finance Ministry for persuading the IMF and World Bank to rebase the economy, a move that allows for increased borrowing by improving the debt to GDP ratio. However, he criticized the government’s misuse of loans, which are being funneled into wage bills and travel instead of capital projects that could stabilize the economy.
SOS further debunked claims of a stable exchange rate, citing examples like the Guinea Franc at NLe 4 and $100 exceeding NLe 2,430. He emphasized that Sierra Leone’s heavy reliance on imports exacerbates inflation and price instability.
Calling for urgent reforms, Honourable SOS implored Parliament to prioritize implementing effective policies over partisan politics. He concluded by warning that the country’s economic woes will persist unless meaningful changes are made.
