Same Flag, Different Roads: Assessing the Roles of the Diaspora and Grassroots in Nation-Building in Sierra Leone.

By George Shadrack Kamanda | Diplomat | Civic Leader | Legal Expert

In Sierra Leone, a growing tension is creating unnecessary division. It is the idea that those abroad and those at home are somehow in conflict or contention. On radio, on social media, and even on political platforms, this narrative is becoming louder.

Some say the diaspora only shows up during elections, coming to take, not to build. Others claim the grassroots are not equipped enough, that they are stuck and unwilling to change.

This is not just a misunderstanding. It is a distraction. It drains our civic energy. It pits potential partners against each other. And worst of all, it distorts the truth and the shared responsibility that our nation-building aspirations truly deserve.

The diaspora and grassroots communities are both vital. Neither can fix Sierra Leone alone.

The Real Cost of Division

At the core of this issue lies a deeper crisis. It is not just about who is where. It is about how we see each other, how we shape policy, and how we define patriotism. In effect, it is about the mindset we are conditioned to adopt.

Too often, those in the diaspora are seen as disconnected elites who return only during elections or public emergencies. Meanwhile, people at home are unfairly portrayed as unambitious or unaware of global realities. These perceptions may go unspoken, but they are deeply rooted in our society.

But these are false labels.

Sierra Leone’s diaspora continues to a lifeline to the nation. They uplift families, sustain local businesses, support schools and hospitals, and step in when crises hit. Many of our brothers and sisters abroad, including dual citizens, serve in global institutions, speak up for Sierra Leone on the world stage, and create opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach. Their impact is steady, strategic, and deeply rooted in love for home.

At the same time, those on the ground carry the daily weight of the nation’s challenges and limitations. They navigate constant power cuts, rising costs, and fragile institutions. They build civil society groups, teach in rural schools, care for loved ones, and engage in both local and national governance. They are not waiting. They are working. They are serving.

So, where is the conflicting mindset coming from?

This is not a competition to determine who suffers more. It is a call to work together.

Two Sides of the Same Civic Coin

The diaspora brings new ideas, investments, and global connections. Many have launched schools, funded hospitals, and created jobs through businesses in sectors such as real estate, digital services, and agriculture. All of this adds to the deep family ties and emotional support they continue to provide back home. In the last decade alone, diaspora-led ventures helped create thousands of jobs in communities across Sierra Leone.

But let us not forget the innovators and champions at home. Market women across the country. Entrepreneurs in Freetown. Tech start-ups in Bo and Makeni. Public servants in Kambia. They continue to find solutions with limited resources, and their resilience is unmatched. These stories are not in conflict. They are parts of the same national journey.

True patriotism does not take one shape. It is not green or red. You cannot claim to love your country while tearing down those who serve it in a different way or from a different place.

More Than Money

It is true that remittances matter. But money is not the only gift the diaspora offers. They share knowledge, build partnerships, provide mentorship, and speak up for Sierra Leone in the countries where they live.

Doctors return to run free clinics. Lawyers, public policy experts, and other professionals contribute to legal reform and community development projects. Young professionals are reshaping how the world sees our country. During the pandemic and the mudslide tragedy, diaspora networks rallied quickly to offer support.

This is not abandonment. It is engagement.

And those at home bring something just as vital. They understand the local realities and urgent needs. They recognize the problems and are well positioned to advance solutions. Without them, even the best-funded project can fall short

Language, Access, and Shared Responsibility

We must be honest about privilege and power. It is easy to call for change from a comfortable place, but real civic duty demands more. It requires humility.

If you live abroad or studied internationally, learn the language of home and stay connected. This is not just about enjoying the food or speaking Krio, Temne, or Mende—it is about understanding the language of everyday struggle. The language of doubt, distrust, and survival.

If you live at home, do not assume all returnees are here to exploit or show off. Many are trying to give back in the only way they know. Some may not have much, but they have the will to sacrifice their best.

We all come from somewhere. We all owe something to Sierra Leone. And we can all serve.

 No One Owns Patriotism

Let us end this tug of war mindset. The diaspora is not automatically wiser. The grassroots is not automatically more authentic. We need both.

Distance can limit what the diaspora sees. Local challenges can limit what the grassroots can do. But together we fill the gaps. We become whole. We rise when we stand on shared values.

Patriotism is not defined by presence. It is defined by contribution.

We must start asking better questions:

• How do we work across our differences to solve common problems?

• How do we hold ourselves, both at home and abroad, to higher civic standards?

• How do we elevate merit, not just background?

It is not too late. The story of Sierra Leone is still being written.

Let us call on the public sector to create opportunities for collaboration, not to command the private sector but to nurture trust and cooperation. Let the private sector invest in local skills and knowledge, not just profit. And let every citizen, wherever they live, embrace civic values built on integrity, transparency, and courage.

We must stop using privilege and opportunities taken to divide us. Yes, access is unequal. But that should inspire empathy, not bitterness. Shared responsibility and hopeful prosperity, not jealousy. Those who succeed abroad did not steal opportunities. Those who struggle at home are not lesser. When opportunity comes, let us walk through the door and hold it open for the next person.

There is space for all of us. What matters most is what we do with what we have.

Let us put aside self-interests. Let us stop the “us versus them” blaming. Let us begin again with trust. With accountability. With a shared sense of responsibility.

Let us choose one Sierra Leone. Let choose everyday citizenship. Together. Always.