Pro-democracy activist and APC flagbearer aspirant, Dr. Suphian Kalokoh, has accused the SLPP government of scamming Sierra Leoneans by hiring PR firms to produce false data about the country’s healthcare sector.
“The entire Paopa thing is a scam, a fraud. These promises were never intended to be kept. By hiring PR firms to dramatize the suffering of Sierra Leoneans, they secure funds which are then pocketed,” Kalokoh said during his weekly interview on Wi Yard Online TV, where he outlined setbacks and the way forward for improving healthcare.
He thanked Hon. AKK for exposing the deplorable conditions of hospitals and health centers through viral videos, stressing the need for greater attention to healthcare. He recommended engaging Sierra Leonean healthcare professionals in the diaspora as a central part of the country’s health reform strategy.
Responding to government claims of a 70% reduction in maternal and newborn deaths, Kalokoh argued that the SLPP is politicizing healthcare with fabricated statistics. He warned that Sierra Leoneans are being “seriously scammed,” as false data is packaged by PR firms to raise money abroad—funds that never benefit citizens.
Kalokoh highlighted that infectious diseases remain Sierra Leone’s greatest health challenge, largely driven by poor sanitation and environmental conditions. He urged investments in public health, sanitation, and proper waste management, arguing that such measures would drastically reduce the prevalence of infections. He further noted that while middle-aged populations also suffer from chronic diseases like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease, tackling infectious diseases would address at least half of the country’s health burden.
Positioning himself as a patriotic reformer, Kalokoh said he is committed to transformative leadership. “If I become President, I will ensure my government is credible, focused on sacrifice, not self-enrichment. I want my statue placed in front of Parliament thirty years after I am gone, in recognition of the transformative change I will bring to Sierra Leone,” he declared.
Recalling his days as a student activist at Fourah Bay College in the 1980s, Kalokoh said he has always fought for democracy and accountability, insisting that leaders must gain power through performance, not intimidation. He also warned Sierra Leone’s politicians that acquiring multiple houses while in office is no measure of true leadership.
