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Former Member of Parliament and cabinet minister, Hon. Ibrahim Ben Kargbo, has spoken out in defense of First Lady Fatima Bio, arguing that the backlash she faces over her recent remarks is disproportionate to the issue at hand.
According to Hon. Kargbo, the concerns raised by workers of Koidu Ltd. regarding poor working conditions are legitimate and require urgent attention.
He noted that despite public outrage over the First Lady’s comments, her central message advocating for the rights of deprived mine workers should not be overshadowed by controversy.
“It is true that Koidu Ltd. workers have complained about hardships, and there is a need to review their terms and conditions of service. It is also true that unions and government representatives have yet to convincingly address these concerns. So, what is wrong if Fatima Bio, a Sierra Leonean citizen, stands with her fellow countrymen to push for better conditions?” he questioned.
Hon. Kargbo acknowledged that the First Lady’s choice of words referring to ministers as “dogs” was regrettable, attributing it to a lapse in communication skills rather than an intentional insult. He stressed, however, that such a misstep should not distract from the broader issue of workers’ rights.
“I hope that once the concerns of the mine workers are addressed, all this noise about ‘who said what’ will subside. The bottom line is that the First Lady meant well in advocating for better treatment of the workers,” he added.
He further suggested that some of the criticisms directed at Fatima Bio stem from political bias rather than genuine concern. Drawing parallels with past political controversies, he recalled instances where statements by former leaders, such as Siaka Stevens and Joseph Saidu Momoh, were misinterpreted or weaponized for political gains.
“There is always a tendency for public statements to be twisted to discredit officials. The fact remains that no one in President Maada Bio’s government is a dog, nor has he ever appointed a dog to public office,” Hon. Kargbo remarked.
While acknowledging that the First Lady holds no official government position, he dismissed suggestions that she should be restricted from engaging in national issues.
“Fatima Bio is not part of the government’s national executive, but she is more than just the President’s wife. She has every right to voice concerns about the well-being of Sierra Leonean workers,” he concluded.
As debates continue over the First Lady’s remarks, the focus remains on whether the grievances of Koidu Ltd. workers will be addressed, ensuring better working conditions for those at the heart of the country’s mining sector.
Korthor… I have been your admirer for over 40 years due to your versatility on your journalistic journey.
I can vividly recalled your New Citizens newspaper and it’s positive views, comments and assertions.
I want to remind you about TOBIE THE VANDAL.
But, regrettably, your position on this issue has nothing to do with a situation that lacks morals, etiquettes, respect for the Nation and worst of all, coming from someone that never regretted nor sympathized over the massacre of innocent citizens in; Makeni, Tombo, Tonko Limba, Pademba Road Correctional Center, Mile 91, not to talk about a Youth whose leg has now been amputated, after coming from doing Community service through cleaning, with Lahai’s accomplices.
Not to mention about SLPP PAOPA members being only the legitimate Sierra Leoneans.
I am sure that, age has drifted you away from the art of Positive Thinking.
How can you justify an understatement that, dogs are ruling some Sierra Leoneans, excluding I.
It’s a shame for people to read your message at a time like this. Being, days of reckoning.
Please 🙏 stop this RAT RACE game for you have spent your days within this 64 years of Sierra Leones Independence, with SALONE today, being a FAILED STATE, with HARD DRUGS and HARD DRUGS Traffickers, being SALONE’s award in this of our 21st Century.
Oh KORTHOR IB.. You form OO!!! LONTHA!!!!. Talk about STATE CAPTURE POLITICS, IT WILL SERVE YOUR PEOPLE WELL.
Our first Lady is always embarrassing herself in the face of the ordinary sierra Leonean. How could she referred to ministers as dogs and her husband is sitting quietly without altering a word. She has always been molesting people in this country by using the yardstick of her husband being the president. I could vividly remember during the hands off our girls campaign, she referred to our spiritual leaders as rapists which was an immoral way of doing things. Unfortunately, no one came out to confront such vice. The moving has taken a u turn and it is heading to the direction of the elites and to the worst case scenario, no one will say a word. We all witnessed Hawa Hunt case wherein she was apprehended for cyber bullying and now the first Lady is doing cyber education. The level of injustices is so high in this country. Power is not forever ooh.
Don’t blame our old political thorns that paved the ways for the foreign hustlers and their children to abused Sierra Leoneans any how they think. Not all that goes in your mouth cause sin’s but what comes out of your mouth that brings sins, beware of what you speak 🗣️ out there. Sierra Leone should not be a farm were people just walk in and reap aggressively what they didn’t sow. It’s the usage from their parents to speak all kinds of odd words to Sierra Leoneans. We knew them in Sierra Leone and we have been to their lands of origins, we heard and saw all kinds of harm they done against Sierra Leone and it people. Let Sierra Leone and it citizens be protect for the benefits of our generations to come. For they have no other places to call home, only Sierra Leone. Not all advice we can take from old people, because fools can get old too. Please stop the sell out it’s enough.