President Mahama’s Visit To Sierra Leone Makes Me Feel Like Going Back To Freetown

John Dramani Mahama, the president of Ghana, was welcomed by President Julius Maada Bio at the Lungi International Airport, during his official visit to Sierra Leone. Maada Bio, a former soldier currently running a democratic government, participated in talks to improve relations and address other important issues that would help both countries. President John Dramani Mahama's official visit to Sierra Leone highlights the strong political and historical ties that exist between the two countries.

As the third nation I've lived in after Ivory Coast and Nigeria, Sierra Leone reminded me of both happy and tough memories, particularly when I witnessed the president's candid interactions with the Ghanaian community in Freetown. In 1985, I traveled from Lagos to Freetown, Sierra Leone, aboard the now-defunct, distinguished Ghana Airways. From Lungi International Airport, I took a ferry to Cline Town, where I boarded the "Poda-Poda," or "Tro-Tro," to the capital.

I arrived in Freetown, the capital, in complete darkness, with no electricity power, and lodged in a hotel without any idea that the Republic of Sierra Leone, the West African nation that borders Guinea to the northeast, Liberia to the southeast, and the Atlantic Ocean to the southwest, would be my second home where I would live and work alongside various tribes, including the Bullom, Fulani, Gola, Kissi, Kono, Koranko, Krim, Kru, Limba, Loko, Malinke, Sherbro, Susu, Vai, Yalunka, and the Creoles.

The Creoles are descended from liberated Jamaican slaves who came to the capital's Freetown neighborhood in the late 1700s. The remaining 10% of the population is made up of people from Liberia, Lebanon, Pakistan, and India. The city of Freetown was elegantly constructed with nice linking streets by the British colonial overlords of Sierra Leone, a country that is partially hilly. Even without taking a taxi or the "Poda-Poda," which are private-public buses, one might stroll around the city.

Despite being somewhat distant from the town center, it is extremely easy to walk from the city to Cline Town, where the Queen Elizabeth II Port, the largest harbor in the nation, is located. I quickly became familiar with the streets, including Siaka Stevens, Light-Foot Boston, Savage, Sanders, Wilkinson Road, Campbell, Pademba Road, down to Congo Town, and King Tom. Sometimes, it’s even better to walk than join public transport; therefore, when going to Cline Town, I go on foot through “Circular Road,” pronounced in Creole as “Sakula Road.”

Along the side of Siaka Stevens Street were the High Court, the General Post Office, the Barclays Bank headquarters, and nearly every other government building. The cotton tree, which is said to be more than a century and functioned as a roundabout, is located directly in the center of the city. One must turn right at the Cotton Tree's roundabout from downtown Siaka Stevens Street toward Congo Town to reach the Pademba prison, named after the road. The National Museum is also next to the Cotton Tree.

I accepted Sierra Leone as my second home at the age of 28, full of energy and joy. I worked for Mrs. Ashwood and her daughter, Mrs. Pamela Grant, as a van driver, at the famous Red Lion Bakery, which is still operating in Kingtom-Freetown, and supplied bread each morning to the shops on Kissy Road and Siaka Stevens Street. I eventually became one of them, trying my best in speaking Creole, like "Tonobo—Somersault, and Pan Tap—On Top." I can still recall Mrs. Grant educating one of her sons in Ghana because she said I speak very good English.

As one stays in a place for a long period, life changes. I wasn't pleased with the meals in Freetown during my first few days there, either the rice with cassava (Cassada) leaves sauce or the rice with potato (Patete) leaves source. However, eventually, once I was hosted by the Savage Family in Freetown and became acquainted with the rich, delectable flavors of the meal, those dishes turned into my favorites. I spent several years living in Sierra Leone before I made it to Europe.

While his Excellency, John Mahama, was talking to the Ghanaian community in Freetown, they brought up a number of issues, including the difficulties in application for a resident permit. To improve the people's lives, I will humbly ask the president to consider their proposal by speaking to President Maada Bio. I would also implore the president to keep his pledge to revive Ghana Airways, the country's flag carrier, as the airline's demise made it exceedingly difficult and costly to go to Sierra Leone.