A ten year Civil War ended in 2002 when a new democratic government was elected under the watchful eye of the United Nations. That government displayed few signs of effectively dealing with the massive social and economic problems following the cessation of hostilities. In fact, that government showed that like many other Africans they were more interested in lining their own pockets and thus fuelling corruption.

Following the elections of October 2007 a new government was elected, headed by a Christian President, Mr. Ernest Bai Koroma.  Inaugurated on the 17th November he has immediately attempted to construct a balanced and focused group of like minded ministers to bring peaceful, sustainable and profitable policies to lay foundations with which to bring about the rehabilitation of the country and its people.

In spite of recent improvements to major road ways there is still very slow movement towards a firm infrastructure on which the government can depend for improving and maintaining transport, communication or any sense of law and order. Political and financial corruption at all levels is the norm. This is not a criticism but a fact.

According to recent statistics approximately 60% of the population profess Islam, 10% practice animist or profane and occult beliefs and possibly 30% are practising Christians. (However it should be noted that there are other providers of statistics who differ from the above percentages by reversing the Christian and animist percentages). Child sacrifice is still practiced, as is modern day slavery. (Yes…really!).

We have seen no active plans to assist the thousands of children who were left orphaned by the war and by HIV Aids. UNICEF has estimated in 2009 about 320,000 children are without parents or any kind of voluntary or state support in this country which is about the size of Wales with a population of 4.9 million. In truth no one really knows the actual figures but this is UNICEF’s best estimate.