It is no secret that Sierra Leone, the once bastion of peace is slowly returning to its former glory for which it was admired all over the world, when according to the latest Global Peace Index (GPI) published by the Center For Strategic & International Studies (CSIS) Institute for Economics & Peace, it was ranked as the 52nd peaceful Country in the world.
Kudos to this humble servant: Ernest Bai Koroma
Using different statistical tools of assessment, out of one hundred and fifty eight Countries assessed, Sierra Leone rose 9th place and better ranked as a more peaceful country than over one hundred other countries notably the United States of America, Brazil, China, Guinea, Liberia to name a few.
Twenty three qualitative and quantitative indicators are used as means of assessment from highly respected sources. Three dimensions are equally weighed and these include: level of safety and security in society, the extent of domestic or international conflict and the degree of militarization.
According to GPI experts, Western Europe remains markedly the most peaceful region, with the majority of the Countries in this group ranking in the top 20 overall.
The average GPI score in 2011 saw slight improvement after deteriorations in two previous years associated with the global financial and economic crisis. Between 2007 – the first year of the GPI and 2009, the region became more peaceful. Norway dropped out of the top ten to 18th position as a result of an attack by Anders Breivik in July killing seventy seven and injuring three hundred people.
Sub Saharan Africa including Sierra Leone experienced a modest rise in peacefulness and for the first time since the GPI was launched in 2007, it was not ranked the least peaceful region.
It will be recalled that President Ernest Koroma who took over the affairs of state in 2007 has worked remarkably well in consolidating and strengthening the peace effort in the country.
This report therefore should be a cause for national celebration.