Elections are over: What Are Young Sierra Leoneans Saying

The Sierra Leone People's Party (SLPP) and the All People's Congress (APC)  have been the most famous political parties in the history of Sierra Leone.

But then came Coalition for Change(C4C), National Grand Coalition (NGC), and fourteen others, all racing to win the 2018 elections.

The NGC attracted many young people as they preached about empowerment.

In the 2018 elections, young people selected parties based on their own discretion. Many hoped that one of the new parties would emerge the winner of the 2018 presidential election. But in the end, the SLPP outnumbered its competitors and took the winning place.

Since retired army general Julius Maada Bio was elected as President of Sierra Leone, he has put a lot of new measures in place.

Workers are now obliged to be in government offices no later than 8:30 in the morning; a mass street cleaning drive has been implemented to be carried out every first Saturday in the month, and free education is promised (again) from preschool through senior high school.

On other issues, things are taking a different turn.

For the first time in Sierra Leone, members of parliament in the process of selecting a new Speaker created such chaos in the well of parliament, police officers were called to calm the situation down.

A famous street festival, the East End Paddle Lantern parade, which is done to mark Independence Day celebrations on April 27, was banned this year by the president.

In addition, top government positions are mostly been given to South Easterners, who are supporters of the SLPP, the president's party.

Now, what have young people got to say?

Twenty-four-year-old Jebbeh Sheriff is a peace and conflict student at  Fourah Bay College.

"I'm happy with the immediate actions the new government has put in place but very disappointed in its process of appointing new government officials. The president, before taking power, promised to make his government an inclusive one but today, none of his engagements seem to be moving in that direction. There must be an inclusive government."

Mabinty Fofanah a high school graduate added her voice.

"In my opinion, this government is embarking on revenge. They are bent on eradicating members of the APC party rather than concentrating on the economic emergency of the county. There's no direction ."

Aminata Kamara, a young trader added a few comments.

"I'm in support of the 'New Direction' thing because disciplinary actions have been implemented. If Sierra Leone is to become a better place for all, there must be a disciplined government but, a non-biased one. We need change."

"The new government should concentrate on gas, electricity and food subsidies and not on other unrelated issues that can hardly bring change in the lives of the people," Amadu M'bayoh, a taxi driver said.

To ban the Paddle Lantern dance is a "very bold step" said John Baker, a young Jehovah's Witness. "Mass cleaning every first Saturday in a month is another positive step. If a country must grow, all ungodly events must be avoided and cleanliness must be a top priority."

Tejan Cole, a junior school pupil said, "Illiteracy is an obstacle in every country's way to success and I'm very happy that free education has been promised. I just hope, it finally becomes a reality."

A young visually impaired woman said she was happy with the changes as of now, but she felt more people living with disabilities needed to be included."We need our voices to be heard," she said.

 Abbas Sesay, who is also disabled, added:

 "The government is trying and  even though he's busy relieving opposition members of the APC from their duties, I think any government would have done the same. Let him try not to be subjective so that all can be included into this 'new direction' thing."

For Young Life in Freetown, I'm Inyilla Borteh Conteh reporting.