In the 21st century, the world has become more global, digitally advanced, and transparent. Information flows at a faster pace and innovation is necessary to keep up with the times. In a complex matrix where nothing significant can be achieved without proper planning and implementation, social media has become a useful tool for public officials to connect with the people they serve.
I closely monitor numerous Sierra Leone public officials across various social media platforms, and I must say that the Anti-Corruption Commissioner stands out in terms of handling social media effectively. Francis Ben Kaifala is a prime example of emotional maturity on social media, and he refuses to censor his pages. He employs social media to review citizen's concerns that affect his work, all while maintaining a great balance between public information and personal ambitions.
To start with, the Anti-Corruption Commission, like any other institution, has faced controversy and criticism for their actions. One incident that stands out is the display of teachers at Cotton Tree, which drew significant attention. Despite this, the anti-graft czar chose not to take a defensive stance but instead displayed a remarkable level of emotional maturity by allowing the situation to settle down. He honored media interviews on the issue, and by choosing not to take a position on social media, he prevented the situation from escalating any further. This example is a clear demonstration of the anti-graft czar's leadership and emotional intelligence. The Commission has also dealt with other complex issues that have created social media trends, and they have handled them with the utmost professionalism.
In addition, public officials wield significant power when it comes to censoring comments on their pages, particularly in light of constant criticism. Although Francis has performed well at the Anti-Corruption Commission, he is not impervious to criticism. Nonetheless, he chooses to retain comments from those who disagree with him or his work. Mr. Kaifala recognizes that true leadership development requires listening to both his supporters and detractors.
Furthermore, I was personally present when Mr. Kaifala addressed bloggers and social media influencers in Sierra Leone. He challenged these young patriots to act as a crucial bridge between the Commission and the citizens. Mr. Kaifala demanded that they communicate the concerns of ordinary citizens to the Commission and further accelerate the visibility of Anti-Corruption Commission content on their respective platforms.
In conclusion, the Anti-Corruption Commissioner strikes the perfect balance between using his pages to provide public information and sharing his personal stories. From his two Facebook accounts, TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, professional Linkedln handle he keeps them routinely updated with worthy contents reflecting his life and work that meets a growing audience of admirers. One day, he might write about the milestones achieved at the Anti-Corruption Commission, while the next day he could share his experiences at Harvard.
Francis Ben Kaifala is amazing at handling social media as a public official! He is the Anti-Corruption Commissioner and always stays calm when responding on social media, which shows how emotionally mature he is. He never censors his page and instead, listens to citizens' concerns through social media. He's really good at balancing what information should be shared and what should be kept private. Plus, he's probably the only public official who interacts with social media bloggers and influencers, which is pretty neat!
Paul A. Conteh
The Verse Log
