In an exclusive interview with the Studio at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, the First Lady of Sierra Leone, Dr. Fatima Bio, expressed her profound frustrations regarding the state of her country. She highlighted the abundant mineral resources of Sierra Leone and lamented the lack of autonomy in utilizing them for the benefit of its citizens.

She emphasized, “What does Sierra Leone have to offer? Look at what Sierra Leone has to offer. When it comes to our mineral resources, the kind of mineral resources we have in our country is enough to take care of everybody in that country. We should not have a single purpose in Sierra Leone. But unfortunately, we are not given the free will to make decisions on our own mineral resources. There is always a big brother who decides. And when you fight and say, no, we are not going to do this, they use the system to stop you. It’s either they set you up with the opposition and they will be supporting the opposition against you from the back, or they cause unnecessary chaos in your country so that you are not able to even govern your own people.”

Dr. Fatima Bio emphasized the vast potential that Sierra Leone holds with its mineral wealth, suggesting that it could provide prosperity for all its people. However, she criticized the pervasive influence of external powers, which, she claims, obstructs the country’s ability to make independent decisions regarding its resources. According to her, foreign interests often dictate the terms of mining agreements, leaving Sierra Leoneans with minimal benefits.

Speaking passionately about the issue, Dr. Fatima Bio cited examples of foreign ownership of mining companies and the control of essential services such as electricity by external entities. She pointed out that despite foreign involvement, basic necessities like reliable electricity and clean water remain elusive for many Sierra Leoneans.

She Stated, “Every mining company. If it’s not the Chinese, it’s the American, it’s the British. Our electricity, bubuna, is run by the British. And we still don’t have light. We’re looking for light, electricity. If you don’t have electricity, how can you talk about education? How can you talk about health facilities? How can you talk about improving the infrastructure of your country? We don’t have electricity. Now, do we actually even have proper water? Pipe-borne water, so that our kids will not be sick. We don’t have those facilities. Why? With all the minerals we have, there is a cap you put.”

The First Lady highlighted the paradox of abundant resources juxtaposed with widespread poverty and underdevelopment. She criticized the disparity between the enormous profits reaped by foreign companies from Sierra Leone’s resources and the meager returns that the country receives in return.

Dr. Fatima Bio’s remarks underscored the systemic challenges that Sierra Leone faces in achieving sustainable development. She lamented the lack of infrastructure, inadequate healthcare, and educational systems that suffer due to the country’s inability to fully harness its natural resources.

“Before my husband became the president of Sierra Leone, Sierra Leone was benefiting, they said, what’s the word? 0.0001%. What is that? Basically, a company can take as much as $100 million out of the country in terms of minerals, and then they can just give the country $10,000. Now, what will $10,000 do for our health system? What does $10,000 do for our educational system? And these are the things I believe that are stopping Africa from progressing. We don’t have a say.” Said Dr. Fatima Bio.

Moreover, Dr. Fatima Bio questioned the significance of celebrating independence when the country’s autonomy remains compromised by external influences. She called for a reevaluation of Sierra Leone’s relationship with foreign entities, advocating for greater sovereignty in decision-making processes.

The First Lady’s candid assessment of Sierra Leone’s challenges resonated with many citizens who share her frustrations. Her remarks sparked conversations about national sovereignty, economic development, and the role of foreign investment in African countries.

In response to Dr. Fatima Bio’s comments, government officials and civil society organizations have been prompted to address the issues she raised. Calls for transparency in mining agreements, equitable distribution of wealth, and strengthening of national institutions have gained momentum.

The interview with the Studio at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health has reignited debates about the exploitation of African resources by foreign entities and the urgent need for transformative change in Sierra Leone’s development trajectory.

As Sierra Leone navigates its path towards progress and prosperity, the voices of its citizens, echoed by the First Lady, serve as a reminder of the importance of sovereignty, accountability, and inclusive governance in shaping the country’s future. Dr. Fatima Bio’s impassioned plea for change has invigorated the discourse on Sierra Leone’s development agenda, inspiring hope for a brighter tomorrow.