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July 23 2024 was a red letter day in the annals of Sierra Leone. A national town hall meeting of epic proportions was held. Just like it was when President Bio faced the nation in what was described as a media tour, the national town hall at Bintumani mirrored again a leader who epitomizes and embodies the character and persona of a servant rather than that of a politician.
“Citizens’ positive participation in governance is a road map to develop a nation,” Bio said.
The president was quizzed on 5 thematic areas; big 5 and the economy, Foreign Affairs including U.N. Security Council, Peace and National Cohesion, and Civic Call to Action. On X, the president wrote: “At the town hall, I was very excited that I spoke from the hdeart in Krio, to Sierra Leoneans from all walks of life. During our famous tok (family talk), I outlined the great progress we have made on our Big Five Agenda and throughout the previous five.
Engaging hundreds of Sierra Leoneans and foreign nationals at a National Town hall, 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐫. 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐮𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐚𝐝𝐚 𝐁𝐢𝐨 called on Sierra Leoneans to uphold the peace of the nation. “No nation can develop without peace, let’s don’t allow a few idiots to disturb our peaceful nation” Bio said. “This interaction also demonstrates that people and their well-being and livelihoods are at the centre of our policies. We will continue to engage our citizens as we work to Feed Salone and meet the bold and ambitious agenda we have set ourselves in transforming this land that we love” the President continued.
Accountability, stewardship, and openness have been at the fore of President Bio’s leadership since he ascended the highest seat of the land in 2018. His cabinet and governmental organogram constitute some of the youngest and brightest minds Sierra Leone has to offer. Before the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act was birthed, Bio has already begun cushioning his cabinet with more females than any other government has done since independence.
Meanwhile, at the town hall, 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐫. 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐮𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐚𝐝𝐚 𝐁𝐢𝐨 did acknowledge that the price of rice has increased when he was asked in an emotionally overwhelming tone, but due to no fault of his. He explained to the lady who asked and the nation that the price of rice is solely determined by the buying and the shipping cost. He explained that for decades, Sierra Leone has been importing huge quantity of rice from countries like Japan, India, Thailand and Pakistan. He concluded that the Feed Salone initiative was a silver bullet to curing the malaise around staple food production in the country. He encouraged citizens to go into agriculture, provide jobs and mirror economic growth in both local and international levels.
This is all happening at a time when the President is clocking a year after launching the “Big 5” agenda. He said that he was quite aware that there were lingering challenges due to the fact that he met inflation at double digit which is further exacerbated by current international shocks. Bio has been able to reduce the former to a single digit.
“Truly speaking, we have been a divided nation, mostly along political lines. We need to make more efforts. I can, as a leader, make my own effort to try to unite this nation, but I am just an individual. The government is doing what it can to actually keep us together”, Bio said when answering questions about national cohesion and peace.
A significant portion of the town hall was dedicated to education, a sector President Bio has ardently supported. “Education is the cornerstone of our development,” he affirmed. “Our Free Quality School Education program has enrolled over two million children, ensuring that no child is left behind.” The audience resonated with his passion for education, reflecting the broad support for initiatives aimed at human capital development.
Addressing the nation’s healthcare system and the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, President Bio underscored the importance of resilience and preparedness. “Our response to the pandemic has been robust and effective, with vaccination rates steadily increasing. We are committed to strengthening our healthcare infrastructure to better serve all Sierra Leoneans.” His acknowledgment of healthcare workers drew a standing ovation, a testament to their tireless efforts.
In a firm stance against corruption, President Bio reiterated his administration’s zero-tolerance policy. “We have established the Commission of Inquiry to ensure accountability and transparency in governance. Corruption has no place in Sierra Leone’s future,” he declared, earning nods of approval from the audience. This segment of his speech highlighted his dedication to clean governance, a critical factor for sustainable development.
Furthermore, 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐃𝐫. 𝐉𝐮𝐥𝐢𝐮𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐚𝐝𝐚 𝐁𝐢𝐨 also highlighted the strides made in infrastructure and technology. “We are investing in our roads, our energy sector, and in digital transformation. These investments are crucial for attracting investment and improving the quality of life for our citizens.” He pointed out the ongoing projects that are set to transform Sierra Leone’s landscape, promising a more connected and modern nation.
Unusually, President Bio did not shy away from discussing social issues that affect the daily lives of Sierra Leoneans. “We must confront and address gender inequality, youth unemployment, and social injustices head-on,” he proclaimed.
“Our administration is committed to creating an inclusive society where everyone, regardless of gender, age, or background, has the opportunity to thrive.” He announced new initiatives aimed at empowering women and youth, including vocational training programs and small business grants. These announcements were met with enthusiastic cheers, indicating widespread support for social reforms.
Concluding his address, President Bio called for national unity and active citizen participation. “Together, we can build a prosperous Sierra Leone. I urge every citizen to play their part in this national endeavor. Our strength lies in our unity and our shared commitment to progress. The town hall meeting was well-received by attendees, who praised the President for his openness and willingness to engage directly with the public. Citizens expressed optimism about the future, buoyed by the comprehensive plans laid out by the president. As Sierra Leone continues its journey towards development and prosperity, the Presidential Town Hall Meeting at Bintumani stands as a pivotal moment of reflection and aspiration, embodying the spirit of democracy and the promise of a brighter future.”
This is obviously paid for nonsense. The author says the “president was quizzed on 5 thematic areas”. That says it all. Bio and his team have been working very hard to get the people to think a certain way about him and his ” successes”. This was yet another attempt at that. And maybe they are also trying to send a message to the US, so they can get their thieving hands on that $400 million.
Remember Bio has his Big Five Agenda, so this was a set up to promote it. They had questions submitted before hand so they could pick the non offensive questions, the questions Bio could answer in a manner that makes him look good and that is assuming those questions were really from people asking those questions on their own. You saw how it went with the one question that wasn’t prescreened. It did not go well for Bio. That lady asked real questions that is on the minds of Sierra Leoneans. The truth came out.
He can do all the town halls he want, put out all the press releases, but the people know they are hungry, have no jobs, those with government jobs do not get paid on time and the list goes on.
Because the country is so badly run, they can never lie to the people.