Sierra Leone’s president Ernest Bai Koroma is an example for many sub-Saharan African leaders, particularly with his administration’s drive to electrify a country that has long struggled with keeping on the lights.
Five years since he assumed presidency, projects such as the commissioning of the Bankasoka mini-hydro in Port Loko, Charlotte mini-hydro in Freetown, and the Bumbuna hydrodam have helped boost the country’s electricity generation capacity. Other schemes such as ongoing feasibility studies on the Moyamba mini-hydro and the rehabilitation, deployment, and installation of thermal plants in various cities should also be recognized. Additionally organizations like the Barefoot College are working to help women in Sierra Leone incorporate solar energy for basic household and/or small business use. Now phase two of the Bumbuna dam is getting geared to start which saw the president tour the site to gain insight into the operations, status, and ongoing maintenance in order to maximize its output.
In January, Koroma made other big changes to the country’s energy sector by sacking Energy Minister Ogunlade Davidson over poor performance. One of Koroma’s main election platforms was energy generation, and with elections coming up in November, he wants to show Sierra Leoneans that he is striving to see his promises come to fruition. While the country certainly has obstacles remaining, Koroma and his administration seem to have gotten the ball rolling.
Alternative Energy