Bhavana


 * My name is Ernest Bai Koroma, my previous occupation was an insurance broker but today I am the fourth and current day president of Sierra Leone. I’m obviously representing my country Sierra Leone. My country is located on the west coast of Africa with a population of about 6,440,053 people. Mining, mainly for diamonds, is the base of our economy. The issue I will be representing is blood diamonds. Blood diamonds are diamonds that are illegally mined and sold to buy weapons for rebel groups. A few references that reflect my idea against blood diamonds are the Kimberly Process, the World Diamond Council, and the Clean Diamond Act. All these organizations discuss ways to stop the trade in “conflict diamonds” and ensure that diamond purchases are not financing violence by the rebel movements and their allies out to get governments. **
 * As president I am focused upon fighting corruption, streamlining the justice system to make sure people have easy access to courts, and have a society that trusts the police system. By making these changes I can instill a sense of safety and confidence among the people of Sierra Leone. Eventually the citizens will be less willing to join or be influenced by the rebels because of these changes. The money I receive will also be put towards enhancing technology in the government’s army. For example with the money provided my country will be able to buy more helicopters for aerial surveillance of the illegal mining. My country will also be able to hire more customs officials at airports or at borders of countries to stop the smuggling of blood diamonds. Also, the money can provide our army with better weapons to fight the rebels. **
 * Two other areas that Sierra Leone needs improvement on is political participation and human rights. Improvement with these two areas will help resolve the conflict with blood diamonds. By providing access to every citizen of Sierra Leone to the political system would give fair representation of all ethnicities at all levels of government. The money would also help protect the human rights of people living around the mining areas by providing them better security, working and living conditions. **
 * By putting the money I receive into developing infrastructure, I will be able do the following, build better roads/railroads for people to move freely throughout the country to find better economic opportunities. By providing electricity to every household I can help the citizens of Sierra Leone have access to cell phones, television, and radio which will help them to be more informed about current issues (ex. blood diamond activity.) **
 * With the money I am given I can help build hospitals and amputee rehabilitation centers for victims of the blood diamond conflicts. I would also build schools to improve literacy in the community. Improved literacy will transform into better jobs and better living conditions. With improved literacy citizens will be more educated about current issues. **
 * I should receive the $5,000,000 prize because I have the best solutions to resolving the issue of blood diamonds. I believe my role as president of Sierra Leone is very beneficial to helping stop the conflict. With the money I receive I will be able to make the appropriate changes to the current political and social system which will both directly and indirectly resolve the issue of blood diamonds. **

Works Cited "Clean Diamond Trade Act." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 02 Feb. 2013. Web. 28 Feb. 2013. "Ernest Bai Koroma." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 21 Feb. 2013. Web. 28 Feb. 2013. "KP Basics." Kimberley Process. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Feb. 2013. "Sierra Leone." Global Issues in Context Online Collection. Detroit: Gale, 2013. Global Issues In Context. Web. 27 Feb. 2013.) "Sierra Leone." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 28 Feb. 2013. Web. 28 Feb. 2013.