Citizens Slam Alpha Kanu’s “70% Employment” Claim as Dangerous Propaganda
By Kelvin Jay
Outrage continues to mount across Sierra Leone following a controversial statement by Presidential Spokesperson Alpha Kanu, who claimed that over 70% of Sierra Leoneans are employed. The assertion, widely regarded as misleading and out of touch, has been sharply condemned by citizens, civil society activists, and political figures who are calling it dangerous propaganda.
The backlash was swift and fierce. Many citizens took to social media and community forums to demand public accountability, with some calling for Alpha Kanu to be publicly shamed for what they described as a libellous and insulting remark.
Kamarainba Reaction
Mohamed Kamarainba Mansaray, opposition figure and former presidential candidate, joined the chorus of criticism, stating:
“Alpha Kanu deserves to be held publicly accountable for his reckless and misleading claim that over 70% of Sierra Leoneans are now employed. Such a statement is not only blatantly false—it insults the intelligence of the suffering masses.”
Kamarainba labeled the statement as a “Pro Max version of sycophancy,” adding that such rhetoric erodes public trust in governance and trivializes the daily struggles of Sierra Leoneans grappling with unemployment, underemployment, and poverty.
Reality vs Rhetoric
Available labor and economic data—though limited—suggest that unemployment and underemployment remain widespread, particularly among youth and women. Experts estimate that as many as 80% of working-age Sierra Leoneans are either jobless or under-employed, many scraping by in the informal sector without job security or social safety nets.
Even among the so-called “employed,” the reality for many is defined by low wages, high inflation, and economic precarity.
“Trying to flip the people’s painful reality into political talking points is not just irresponsible—it’s disgraceful,” Kamarainba continued. “Sierra Leoneans deserve leaders who are honest about the challenges we face—not those who sell false hope through statistics that don’t reflect lived experiences.”
A Betrayal of Public Trust
Critics argue that Alpha Kanu’s statement is not just inaccurate but represents a deeper problem of disconnected leadership—where officials are more focused on managing public perception than solving real issues.
“This is a betrayal of the very people he claims to represent,” one citizen commented online. “We don’t need spin. We need jobs.”
As the economic pressure on ordinary Sierra Leoneans mounts, calls are growing louder for greater transparency, data-driven policy, and truthful communication from those in power.
