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The First Lady of Sierra Leone, Fatima Maada Bio, has paused her official duties as President of the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) to support her husband, President Julius Maada Bio, as he prepares to deliver his address at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Explaining her decision, the First Lady said: “My husband will deliver his speech to the world this afternoon at the UN, and for that, I have decided to honor him by taking the day off as the president of OAFLAD to support my better half.”
Her first engagement of the day was attending the Global Citizen Forum, which convenes leaders, influencers, and changemakers to discuss issues such as poverty reduction, gender equality, and sustainable development.
The couple has often emphasized teamwork in leadership, both at home and abroad. Their joint presence in New York underscores Sierra Leone’s commitment to global dialogue, with President Bio expected to focus on climate resilience, peacebuilding, and democratic governance in Africa during his address.
As OAFLAD president, Fatima Bio has championed women’s rights, girls’ education, and the fight against gender-based violence. Her decision to briefly step back from those responsibilities reflects the personal support that often underpins public service.
President Bio’s UNGA speech, scheduled for this afternoon, is expected to outline Sierra Leone’s development priorities and call for stronger international cooperation.
