The month of December marks the end of the year and the coming of winter. From ancient times, people celebrate the rebirth of the Sun’s event through Yule. December 25 is Christmas Day, a Christian holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ.
In Sierra Leone, every year citizens across the country celebrate the month of December a grand style. In 2023, however, citizens didn’t enjoy the festive season as expected due to the November 26th 2023 attempted coup.
After the incident, government restricted movements across the country in order to address the situation.
In this Vox Pop, Concord Times’s Yusufu S. Bangura took to the streets of Freetown to gauge the views of citizens about what they think of this year’s festive season.
Fatmata Koroma, Trader
As a Sierra Leonean, I firstly want to thank God for giving me the opportunity to see this month as most of us that started this month are not alive to see this day. I pray that God gives us the grace to end this year without any fight.
For me, this year December is the best compared to last year because we have free movement. As it remains 14 days to end this year, we are asking God to continue giving us peace until 2025. I want Sierra Leoneans to enjoy this festive in peace.
Abdulia Bah, Credit Seller
As for me, this year’s festive season is the best because the country is running smoothly as businesses are going normal. At this time last year, we were under heavy security because of the incident in November which affected the festive season.
But for this year, we want to thank God for the peace. As this year is coming to an end, I am expecting Sierra Leoneans to keep maintaining the peace that we are enjoying now and we should respect ourselves.
Warah Conteh, Trader
For this year’s festive season, I want to thank God for life as many have passed away, but I’m still alive. Also, I want to thank God because the country is peaceful. Am expecting to end this year with joy and happiness and we are hoping to see more next year.
Ibrahim Daniel Kamara, Keke Rider
For us the keke riders, we want to thank God because we are having more jobs than last year when there was a security issue in the country. Even though things are not easy, but we thank God as there is no curfew in the country. Last year people were afraid to attend programs at night due to the curfew.
We are expecting much from the government as this year is coming to an end. I also believe that in 2025 Sierra Leone will be a better nation.
Hawanatu Sanu, Businesswoman
As a businesswoman, I want to thank God for this nation as we are enjoying this festive season with peace and happiness as compared to last year. But in terms of livelihood things are difficult because business is slow. In 2025, we pray for government to improve our standard of living.
Mustapha Sesay, Bike Rider
Looking at things, last year’s festive season was far better than this year because things are difficult, businesses are slow and there is no job for us the riders.Yet, we want to thank God for life as we are enjoying peace in the country.
This Christmas holiday will be hard for some of us because we are finding it difficult to have money as some of us have family to cater for. I’m pleading with colleagues to be patient and law abiding citizens as things will be alright in the coming years.
Theresa Kamara, Trader
In my own opinion, this year’s festive season is very difficult because things are really not easy for us, business is slow and prices of commodities are high. I want to thank God for life. This month is better than last year because there is no major incident in the country that will lead scare people.
Emmanuel Tolo Kanu, Pupil
As a pupil, this year’s festive season is the best because we have more entertainment than last year. There is no announcement from the President that major incident is about to take place that will lead to insecurity.
Abubakarr Mohamed Saccoh, Chairman Dundas Street Bike riders
As a businessman and a citizen of this country, I want to thank God for making me see this year’s festive season because the country is stable and there is peace. But truly speaking, things are hard for us as the economy is very bad for us. We are working hard to survive.
