Sierra Leone: Is there enough to celebrate?
Sierra Leone is today celebrating 50 years of Independence. The state is reported to have spend $25 million on festivities to mark the day.
Critics have condemned the government spending terming it 'unnecessary extravagance'
In East Africa, the government of Southern Sudan has approved a budget of $32 million for the celebrations to mark its independence on July 9. The money will be used to spruce up the stadium, and to pay for catering and entertainment.
Last year, there was uproar in Ghana after the government ended up spending $60 million to mark its own 50th anniversary.
Can poor countries justify spending such huge amounts to celebrate national events? Who benefits from these celebrations? How would you like your government to celebrate national events?
If you would like to debate this topic LIVE on air on Wednesday 27 April at 1600 GMT please include a telephone number. It will not be published.

Comment number 1.
At 16:57 27th Apr 2011, Howard Ayo wrote:It's 3 billion shillings in Uganda planned for swearing in H.E. Y.K. Museveni in May 2011. They say this money is also meant to bring more business to the country especially when these dignitaries come over and discuss trade issues......If the long term benefit is going to be greater than what is going to be spent, then i have no trouble with that, but this not always the reality.....
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Comment number 2.
At 17:30 27th Apr 2011, Sulaiman Momodu wrote:The 50th anniversary should not be an occasion to dance like crazy, drink, get drunk only to be sober the next morning with the harsh realities of life in a poverty-infested country staring at us. Even before the 50th Independence Committee could get down working, the rather controversial Anti-Corruption Commission was investigating members over corruption allegations. Greed! Shameful really. It is “good” to celebrate Independence today to some people only to go begging other nations for even our survival? Sierra Leone is naturally endowed. No doubt. But how is our Independence giving us the opportunity to properly use our resources for the benefit of all Sierra Leoeneans for which we chased away the British? I really wish I could celebrate...
Sulaiman
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Comment number 3.
At 18:30 27th Apr 2011, Isaac Bunduki wrote:It is important for Southern Sudanese to celebrate the long struggle for freedom they have fought for, but $ 32 M is a huge amount of money for such celebrations, there are too many returnees coming from North Sudan who need shelter and food, if part of that money could be used to provide them with food and settle them will be appreciated
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Comment number 4.
At 21:40 27th Apr 2011, rob shaji ajiboye wrote:It is just sad to note dt wth d level of education and exposure of our administrators they stil make great mistake.if u ask me why i ll simply say they are poor at heart thus they think they can own d world by amassing so much illgotten wealth. the money will simply go into their cronies account thro arrangement for phoney things i mean events places decoration, hotel lodging,banners, publicity, ampong others. I pray God delivers us from wasteful administratoprs
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Comment number 5.
At 23:09 27th Apr 2011, Charles Fangoma wrote:African leaders will never stop been greedy and corrupt. They are always actively finding every means possible to get huge accounts by coming up with such projects that do not really benefit the people. In Sierra Leone, most people can’t even afford their daily bread, very poor health care facilities, very poor hygiene in major towns and villages, children dropping out of school etc yet thousands if not millions of dollars will be lavished on the country’s anniversary.
It will be better if African countries could organize a forum where people can have a nationwide debate on the past and future development of the country. Raise money and spend it on areas that really need improvement instead just lavishing it. It’s a pity.
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Comment number 6.
At 23:49 27th Apr 2011, Syl wrote:We have every reason to celebrate our golden jubilee which only comes in once in a lifetime and when you think of where we come from after 11 years of war. The world should know that we are growing of age and i tell you this president is just lucky to be the Jubilee President, the parliament is the Jubilee parliament, and the oposition is the jubilee oposition and myself a jubilee Telecomunications Engineer.
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Comment number 7.
At 00:31 28th Apr 2011, AKPAN wrote:If only our rulers had a little shame...
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Comment number 8.
At 13:50 28th Apr 2011, Paul Sumanu Islam wrote:Even if we are poor, there is a need for us to celebrate our fifty years of quasi-freedom. We are celebrating as a nation that is indeed moving forward
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Comment number 9.
At 23:27 28th Apr 2011, winnernebo wrote:This is the time our leaders use to pocket some of our money legally, in the name of celebrations. African love to attend feast mostly independence day, and no one is care/concern about how much is spend on the feast as long there is enough food, drinks, take away and music. This is the only day in which we can be part of our country and share its resources, we don't want to miss it.
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Comment number 10.
At 23:24 30th Apr 2011, ranche wrote:As a sierra leonean, i personally believe that, is our political right to celebrate our 50th anniversary, {golden jubilee celebration}.Its doesn't mean that because you are poor so doesn't have right to enjoy your self. It was a remarkable day in the history of our belove country, we have to and we must celebrate,,,,thanks to His excellency president Ernest Bai Koroma, may God bless u and continue to give you the wisdom to govern our belove nation with unity, justice and development
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Comment number 11.
At 18:06 1st May 2011, ccbell wrote:This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.
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Comment number 12.
At 23:31 1st May 2011, mov wrote:Celebrations are good but when and how is even more important. It is ironical however for a nation that is dependent on foreign aids, that cannot feed her people and a host of burning and urgent needs to celebrate independence. Where are the senses gone? No good roads, clean water, poor medical facilities, poor educational facilities and so on and so. The president should have done otherwise and show that he indeed has love and concern not only for minority who can afford to eat and send kid to school but the majority who cannot afford anything to eat without begging on the streets of Freetown, Bo, Kenema, Makeni, Kabala etc.
Sorry Mr.President, you got it wrong. Dont just do because others have done it. You should not be a follower of bad examples but a leader of brighter examples that others in Africa and beyond can learn from. Thanks, and God bless my country Sierra Leone and my beloveth country men. Take care and hope for a brighter tomorrow.
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