Speaking at the Event Center in Des Moines, Iowa during a Fireside Chat with the President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi A. Adesina, His Excellency Rtd Brigadier Julius Maada Bio, President of the Republic of Sierra Leone reiterated to his audience that his greatest legacy in his Presidential service would be Human Capital Development.While moderating the Fireside Chat in which several topics were covered relating to food security, Dr. Adesina asked His Excellency President Rtd Brigadier Dr. Julius Maada Bio how he would want to be remembered in his Presidency.
In response to Dr. Adesina’s question, President Bio said his policy geared toward Human Capital Development in Sierra Leone incorporates access to education for all, availability of food as a moral right, and the provision of a healthy atmosphere, and access to health facilities. President Bio cited his own journey through education, with his late mother as the driving force for his success. Sierra Leone’s President stressed on the importance of education, which he said is the greatest opportunity, and should be affordable to every human being.
“I want to be remembered as a Human Capitalist. My government is deliberately pursuing a fit for purpose education for the people, thereby developing the human being as the most precious resource of the country. We are determined to rebuild the glory of our country that had the first University in Sub-Sahara Africa. The Free Quality Education I have introduced have seen the acceleration of school and university intake. My government is distributing free text books, free school feeding program, transportation, and free tuition to girls in sciences at university level, with free sanitary pads to girls to keep them in school. There is a feeling of equality measured in according people the same opportunity to harness their potentials”, President Bio stated.
In another instance, President Bio impressed on all at the World Food Prize -10/2024 that it is impossible to impart knowledge on an empty stomach, which is why he is desperately mobilizing international support to improve on the food systems in the country. “The people want nutritious food”, president Bio asserted, reflecting on the pledges to be mobilized for food sufficiency in the country. President Bio invited interested partners to deal with food security collectively. “We are an ambitious country, seeking to attract investors. We want to create jobs for our youths through agriculture, which will remove the anger in them, and have a peaceful society. We want to move from subsistence agriculture to mechanized farming, and add value to our raw materials. As a government, we have the political will to modernize agriculture in Sierra Leone”, President Bio assured his audience, imploring development partners and the private sector to explore the immense potential of agriculture in Sierra Leone, especially with the special agro-processing zone that will unlock the ability of investors to make profit. “My government is creating the enabling environment for impactful opportunities”.
Consistent with President Bio’s desire to interact with his diaspora communities, a Town Hall meeting was facilitated at the Fort Des Moines Hotel by Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to the United States, Ambassador Sidique Abou-Bakarr Wai. At this diaspora Town Hall meeting, His Excellency Rtd Brigadier Julius Maada Bio reminded his Country People that they should be proud of the strides his government has undertaken that has brought respect to the country. President Bio affirmed that the return of Sierra Leone to the UN Security Council should be recognized that it was as a result of hard work, and adherence to democratic dictates. For the MCC Compact which Sierra Leone bagged very recently, President Bio said it was a sign of good leadership which he has provided for the country. He emphasized government’s effort in reducing mortality rate, which he said his SLPP government has reduced to 60%, and that his government has removed the death penalty, and expunged the seditious libel law that past governments were afraid to do.
President Bio requested Sierra Leoneans in the diaspora to support their country as it gets into the unknown with AI at the fore. “I know it’s difficult to return home, but your energies are needed in transforming our country – we are ready to get you started”, President Bio concluded.
Credit: PEL Koroma, Embassy of Sierra Leone, Washington, D.C
