Julius Maada Bio, who came to power in April 2018 as the president of Sierra Leone, promised transformative leadership that would lift the country from the abyss of corruption, mismanagement, and underdevelopment. His campaign was anchored on the promises of a “New Direction” that would place Sierra Leone on the path to development. The slogans were captivating, filled with hope, and widely supported. However, six years later, the harsh reality faced by many Sierra Leoneans reveals a different picture. The lofty promises that once held so much potential have not materialized. Instead, the nation continues to grapple with deepening challenges that Bio’s government has either exacerbated or failed to address.
One of President Bio’s flagship policies was the introduction of the Free Quality Education (FQE) programme. This policy was hailed as a bold initiative to improve access to education for Sierra Leonean children, with the president frequently citing education as the key to breaking the cycle of poverty. However, six years into the program, what was supposed to be a success story has unravelled as a massive failure, with the education system in a state of disrepair.
While President Bio’s government touts increased enrolment numbers, the underlying challenges in the system have not been addressed. Schools remain grossly underfunded, classrooms overcrowded, and teachers underpaid. In many cases, the quality of education has deteriorated due to the lack of trained personnel and resources. The infrastructure required to support the influx of students is woefully inadequate, with children in rural areas often having to study in makeshift classrooms, some even under trees.
Moreover, the educational content and curriculum have not seen significant reforms to match global standards, leaving students ill-prepared for the demands of the modern world. The FQE program has been criticized for being more focused on political propaganda than on genuine reform. For many, the supposed “free” education is nothing more than a slogan, as parents still have to bear the brunt of buying school supplies, uniforms, and even paying unofficial fees. This has left many questioning whether the program was designed to truly benefit the children of Sierra Leone or simply to create a political legacy for the Bio administration.
Sierra Leone’s economy under President Bio has seen little improvement. Despite promises of economic reforms, the country’s financial situation has worsened, with inflation skyrocketing and the cost of living becoming unbearable for the average citizen. Bio’s administration has failed to implement sound economic policies that would stimulate growth and create jobs for the millions of unemployed youth. The reality of Sierra Leone’s economy is that it remains largely reliant on foreign aid and remittances, with little progress made in diversifying the economy or boosting local industries.
Instead of growth, Sierra Leone has witnessed increasing national debt. Bio’s government has borrowed extensively to fund large-scale infrastructure projects, many of which are yet to be completed or have proven unsustainable. The Lungi Bridge project, for instance, promised to be a transformative infrastructure development but remains an unfulfilled dream, with millions of dollars unaccounted for. Such projects are emblematic of the administration’s poor financial planning and mismanagement, further deepening the country’s economic woes.
In addition to mismanagement, the widespread corruption in President Bio’s government has also played a significant role in the country’s economic stagnation. Corruption remains deeply entrenched within the civil service and political elite, with public funds being siphoned off by those in power while the majority of Sierra Leoneans live in abject poverty. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), which was supposed to serve as a watchdog, has failed to make significant headway in curbing this endemic problem, raising questions about the president’s commitment to fighting corruption.
Another area where President Bio has failed spectacularly is in healthcare. Despite grand promises to improve the healthcare system, the sector remains in a state of collapse. Hospitals and clinics across the country are underfunded, lacking basic medical supplies, equipment, and even staff. It is not uncommon to hear reports of patients being turned away from hospitals due to a lack of beds or medicine. Sierra Leoneans continue to die from preventable diseases due to the inadequacy of the healthcare system.
The COVID-19 pandemic further exposed the weaknesses in the country’s healthcare infrastructure. While the government made some efforts to contain the virus, it quickly became apparent that Sierra Leone was ill-prepared to handle a public health crisis of such magnitude. Even as the global pandemic highlighted the need for robust healthcare systems, President Bio’s administration has done little to reform or strengthen the sector, leaving citizens vulnerable to future health challenges.
In many ways, the healthcare sector under Bio’s leadership reflects a broader pattern of neglect, where flashy promises are made, but the resources and political will to see them through are lacking.
When President Bio assumed office, he promised to tackle corruption head-on and create a transparent government that would work for the people. However, his tenure has been marred by increasing corruption and nepotism, which have eroded public trust in his administration. High-level government officials have been implicated in numerous corruption scandals, with little to no repercussions for those involved. In many instances, President Bio’s government has turned a blind eye to these malpractices, allowing impunity to reign within his inner circle.
One of the most glaring examples of corruption under Bio’s leadership was the handling of the COVID-19 emergency funds. Millions of dollars that were earmarked for pandemic response efforts mysteriously disappeared, with no clear explanation from the government. This level of mismanagement during a crisis speaks volumes about the endemic corruption within the Bio administration and its lack of accountability.
Moreover, nepotism has flourished under President Bio, with many key government positions being handed to friends, family members, and close allies of the president. This has undermined meritocracy and led to the appointment of unqualified individuals in critical positions, further compounding the inefficiency of the government.
President Bio’s leadership has also been characterized by increasing authoritarianism and a blatant disregard for human rights. Since taking office, his government has been accused of using security forces to silence opposition voices and crackdown on dissent. The events of July 2020, when protesters were met with brutal force by the police, resulting in multiple deaths, highlighted the extent to which Bio’s government is willing to go to maintain its grip on power. Journalists and civil society activists who criticize the government often find themselves facing harassment, intimidation, or imprisonment.
The state of democracy in Sierra Leone has deteriorated significantly under Bio’s leadership. Elections, which are supposed to be a democratic exercise, have been marred by allegations of rigging and violence, with opposition parties finding it increasingly difficult to operate freely. The recent elections in 2023 were particularly contentious, with widespread reports of electoral irregularities and intimidation tactics used against opposition candidates. This erosion of democratic principles has set a dangerous precedent for the future of governance in Sierra Leone.
President Bio also promised to revolutionize Sierra Leone’s agricultural sector through his “Feed Salone” initiative, aimed at achieving food self-sufficiency. However, the program has been another colossal failure. Despite being an agriculturally rich country, Sierra Leone remains dependent on food imports, with little progress made in boosting local food production.
The government’s agricultural policies have been poorly executed, with farmers receiving inadequate support in terms of access to credit, farming tools, and training. Instead of a thriving agricultural sector, the country has witnessed food shortages and rising prices, leaving many families struggling to afford basic staples. The “Feed Salone” initiative has proven to be nothing more than another political slogan, with little impact on the ground.
In conclusion, President Bio’s leadership since 2018 has been a litany of unfulfilled promises and failed policies. From education, healthcare, and the economy to human rights and agriculture, his administration has failed to deliver on the very initiatives it set out to achieve. Sierra Leone, under Bio’s presidency, has witnessed an erosion of democratic values, a deepening economic crisis, rampant corruption, and a failure to address the basic needs of its citizens.
As we critically analyse his leadership, it becomes clear that the evils and ills facing Sierra Leone today are, in large part, the result of Bio’s ineffective governance. His inability to implement meaningful reforms and his tolerance of corruption has left the country in a worse state than it was before he assumed power. While President Bio may continue to make grand promises, the reality on the ground paints a grim picture of a leader who is unable or unwilling to fulfil the responsibilities of his office. The question that remains is whether Sierra Leone can recover from the damage done during Bio’s tenure, or whether the country will continue to spiral further into chaos.
