Poverty, disease, and squalor
afflict the lives of millions of
souls as a direct result of
(orchestrated) western media
spin on the back of a film called
Blood Diamond. It was a
controversial piece, designed,
in my view (and certainly in
the view of the good Bishop), to
derail the burgeoning economies of certain
nations in that part of the dark continent.
Destabilising them for years to come, and
throwing any chance they might have at
advancing tourism, international status, or
foreign investments. Investments, that is,
other than those already deeply ensconced
in the business of diamonds and alluvial
mining. West Africa remains a stagnant
economy as a result, and the usual AngloAmerican white-skins retain totalitarian
stronghold over the natural resources, the
financial feasibility, and the destiny of 6.5
million souls in one of the most beautiful
and abundant places on earth.
Most people imagine Sierra Leone to be
far too dangerous to visit, and therefore
nobody does. Ever. There is no tourism.
There is no foreign investment. We took
a mountain ride to TripAdvisor's number
one tourist spot in the country…. and saw
not a single soul, despite the lodge having
only three eco-cabins available to rent.