by Festus Sowah

Created on: May 31, 2008

In his inaugural speech in November 2007, the new President of Sierra Leone appealed for attitudinal change among his people. Attitudinal change means different things to different people. For this writer, this state of mind - as it should be rightly considered as, instead of the presidential initiative it is being bandied about as - should not neglect how we treat our children as parents.

Growing up, I was fortunate to be raised by a single mum who did all in her power to treat her children with respect, dignity and impressed on them early the need to take responsibility for their actions. She mothered - not smothered - her children. Even today as an adult, my upbringing has stood me in good stead. I am not afraid to make mistakes or take risks. The key to my upbringing was: do not be afraid to fall, just make sure you get back up! No doubt, a good number of my fellow Sierra Leoneans were lucky enough to be brought up in this way. The majority, I am afraid, were not.

Children in general are smothered by their parents. Their talents are rarely encouraged. Instead, it is the age old problem of the 'if I'm older than you, I'm wiser than you' mentality that has stifled the development of African children.

Sierra Leonean parents collectively, have a track record of getting things spectacularly wrong. For example, while growing up in the eighties and early nineties, if you came from a so-called respectable family, you were likely to be accused of bringing a slur upon the family name, if you were caught participating in local grassroots - or should it be dirt-ridden' - soccer leagues in local soccer fields across the country. This crime would warrant a family gathering where the mothers' tears will flow and the heavy use of the fathers' belts convincing the offenders to mend their ways will be the main item on the agenda.

The case the prosecution presents is that playing soccer competitively in these area leagues as they were called, was for school drop-outs and illiterates. Imagine that! This displayed an apparent lack of vision on the part of Sierra Leonean parents. Granted, no one could have predicted the soccer explosion in which players have climbed to the top of world earnings and are being treated like rock stars. The main failing of parents was their failure to encourage their kids to broaden their horizons, develop competitive spirit and hone their talents. They were more interested in their kids becoming doctors and lawyers for their own personal glorification.

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