Human rights lawyer Basita Michael has strongly refuted a recent statement by Presidential Spokesman Alpha Kanu, who claimed that 70% of Sierra Leone’s rural population is now employed. Michael described the claim as misleading and dangerous, warning that it distorts public perception and downplays the harsh socioeconomic realities faced by many citizens.
Citing a report from the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund, Michael highlighted that over 70% of Sierra Leone’s youth an estimated 1.5 million are either unemployed or underemployed. She noted that nearly half of this population is illiterate and unskilled. Additionally, she referenced findings from GIZ, which classify many employed individuals as the “working poor,” further challenging the credibility of Kanu’s assertion.
Michael emphasized the need for accurate, evidence-based public communication and called on institutions like the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Dubawa, and Africa Check to take a more proactive stance in countering misinformation. She warned that irresponsible statements from public officials risk undermining public trust and silencing the genuine struggles of citizens.
Calling for a retraction or correction of Kanu’s statement, Michael stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in governance. “Citizens deserve a government that is honest about the challenges they face,” she said, urging leaders to ensure that truth and integrity remain central to public
