Isata Jabbie Kabba, Sierra Leone’s former First Lady and current Presidential Adviser on Gender, has suggested that corruption in the country could decline if more women were given opportunities to lead.
Speaking in an interview with Truth Media, Kabba argued that many of the country’s governance challenges are tied to the dominance of men in positions of authority. She said some corrupt practices are driven by the financial pressure men place on themselves while attempting to maintain multiple romantic relationships.
According to Kabba, it is common for some men to keep several girlfriends and, in trying to satisfy them, end up misusing public resources.
“Most of the men in this country have more than five girlfriends, and in order to satisfy them they steal public money to build houses and meet their demands,” she said.
Kabba also pointed to what she described as the growing cost of luxury items often used to impress partners. She cited the rising price of human hair extensions, which she said can cost up to Le8,000, arguing that some men prioritize spending on girlfriends while their wives and families struggle financially.
Her remarks have also prompted discussion among observers about the intersection of personal relationships and political power in Sierra Leone. Before becoming First Lady, Kabba had a relationship with the late President Ahmad Tejan Kabbah, whom she later married. At the time, she was reportedly still a university student.
For some commentators, that background adds another dimension to the debate about how relationships can evolve around positions of power. Others argue that her experience may instead inform her perspective on the social pressures and expectations placed on men in leadership.
Beyond the controversy surrounding her comments, Kabba also reflected on her time leading the All Political Parties Women Association. She said the organization once enjoyed strong support from international partners and played a key role in encouraging women’s participation in politics.
However, she noted that the association later lost momentum due to inconsistent support from successive governments, which she believes weakened its ability to continue advocating for greater inclusion of women in political leadership and governance.
