President Julius Maada Bio of Sierra Leone has masterfully orchestrated a political narrative filled with promises, slogans, and lofty rhetoric. From “New Direction” to “Free Quality Education” and now “Feed Salone,” his administration has marketed itself as a messiah of transformation. Yet beneath the shiny veneer of political branding lies a bitter truth: President Bio has deceived the people of Sierra Leone and continues to do so.
His leadership has been characterized by failed promises, ineffective policies, and a dangerous disregard for the harsh socioeconomic conditions under which millions of Sierra Leoneans suffer.
A Legacy of Broken Promises
Upon taking power, President Bio made numerous pledges that resonated with a nation desperate for progress. From education and agriculture to job creation and corruption control, the promises were abundant and inspiring. But reality has delivered a different story.
His flagship initiative—Free Quality Education (FQE)—was widely publicized as a game-changer. While more children may now be enrolled in school, the quality of education has drastically deteriorated. Classrooms remain overcrowded, teachers are underpaid or unpaid for months, educational materials are scarce, and the infrastructure is crumbling. A policy that was meant to uplift the educational sector has become a political talking point rather than a developmental milestone.
Similarly, the “Feed Salone” initiative, launched to combat hunger and boost local food production, has become yet another illusion. Despite the President’s grand speeches and media coverage, agriculture in Sierra Leone remains underfunded and underperforming. Farmers are still using traditional tools, the cost of living continues to soar, and food insecurity affects millions. Where are the mechanized farms? Where are the irrigation systems and access to modern technology that were promised?
Economic Mismanagement and Austerity for the Poor
President Bio’s government has been marked by what many describe as fiscal recklessness masked as reform. While citizens are overburdened by taxes, the government continues to spend lavishly on luxury vehicles, foreign travel, and unnecessary bureaucratic expansion. The introduction of the Finance Act, which imposed more taxes on already struggling citizens, was ironically termed as a “path to economic independence.” But for the average Sierra Leonean, it meant more hardship.
The country’s inflation rate has remained high, and the Leone continues to lose value against major international currencies. Youth unemployment is at an all-time high, with thousands of graduates roaming the streets without jobs or hope. The much-touted youth empowerment agenda has turned out to be a vote-seeking gimmick rather than a sustainable plan.
What makes this more disheartening is that corruption remains rampant. The Auditor General’s reports have consistently revealed financial irregularities across ministries, yet accountability is selectively enforced. Close allies and party loyalists are shielded while the opposition is targeted—further undermining public trust.
Authoritarian Tendencies Masked as Democracy
In President Bio’s Sierra Leone, dissent is seen as a crime, and criticism is often equated to incitement. Civil liberties have increasingly come under attack, and freedom of the press is in jeopardy. Journalists have been arrested, media houses intimidated, and opposition figures silenced.
One of the most troubling examples was the August 10, 2022 protest, which erupted out of socioeconomic frustration. The government’s response was brutal and authoritarian. Instead of listening to the cries of hungry and jobless citizens, the Bio administration resorted to force, framing the protest as a terrorist attempt to destabilize the state. Rather than dialogue, citizens were met with bullets.
The judicial system, which ought to be independent, is often manipulated for political gain. Alleged coup plots and treason trials are used to silence perceived enemies, while the day-to-day issues of the people remain unaddressed. Sierra Leone under Bio has slowly slid into a semi-autocratic regime disguised in democratic clothing.
Healthcare and Social Services in Ruins
President Bio also promised to improve healthcare delivery across the country. Yet, Sierra Leone’s hospitals are still without essential drugs, and patients are dying due to avoidable causes. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the fragile state of the country’s healthcare system. Even now, women continue to die during childbirth, and children succumb to treatable illnesses like malaria and diarrhea.
Rural areas are especially neglected. Clinics that were supposed to be built or upgraded remain ghost projects. Electricity, safe drinking water, and sanitation remain luxuries rather than basic services. The government’s attention to these core social services is minimal, and any improvement is often exaggerated in state-sponsored media.
The Deception of National Unity and Inclusivity
Another key promise of President Bio was national unity and inclusive governance. However, his actions have betrayed this promise. Appointments into public offices have been mostly ethnically biased, with certain regions and tribes feeling systematically marginalized. The notion of “One Country, One People” has been reduced to a hollow slogan.
The politicization of the civil service, security forces, and public institutions has led to institutional decay. Meritocracy has been replaced with loyalty tests to the ruling Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP). Even the Anti-Corruption Commission has been criticized for selective investigations and lack of impartiality.
A Fragile Socioeconomic Reality
Under President Bio, Sierra Leone remains a fragile state. The average citizen is trapped in a cycle of poverty, underdevelopment, and hopelessness. Youth have turned to drugs like kush, crime rates are escalating, and many Sierra Leoneans are risking their lives in search of better futures abroad. This fragility is not because Sierra Leone lacks resources, but because of poor leadership and chronic deception.
The Bio administration’s obsession with public relations and external validation—from international awards to expensive conferences—does not reflect the lived realities of ordinary people. It is a government more concerned with optics than outcomes.
A Presidency of Deceit and Disillusionment
President Julius Maada Bio came to power riding on the waves of hope, trust, and expectation. But over the years, his governance has been more about deception than delivery. The promises that once inspired a nation have turned into painful reminders of what could have been. His administration has created an economy of despair, a society of silence, and a nation on the edge of collapse.
It is not too late for Sierra Leone, but the time for deception must end. The people deserve more than slogans, photo ops, and staged press briefings. They deserve tangible progress, responsible leadership, and policies that uplift rather than oppress. President Bio still has time to change course, but if past behavior is any predictor of the future, then Sierra Leoneans must brace themselves for more deception wrapped in new packaging.
Until then, the truth remains clear and painful: President Bio has deceived, and he continues to deceive.
