Freetown International Conference Center, Tuesday 23 July 2024 – President Dr. Julius Maada Bio engaged citizens in a live broadcast Town Hall Meeting, addressing questions from the audience and across the country on his Big Five Game Changers agenda, the economy, foreign affairs, peace, national cohesion, and made a civic call to action.
Organized by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, this interaction provided an opportunity for participatory governance. The President accounted for his stewardship after the first year of his second term and explained the government’s promotion of transparency and civic participation.
President Bio began by sympathizing with those affected by recent heavy rainfall and assured government efforts at mitigation. He also advised citizens on preventing environmental disasters such as flooding and landslides.
He recapped his first-term flagship program, Free Quality Education, stating it would be foundational for the country’s future development. “No man will succeed in this 21st century without education. If you do, you will have struggled harder to make ends meet. So, education helps one to reach their fullest potential,” he said.
The President discussed his second flagship program: “FEED SALONE,” encouraging citizens to engage in agriculture to create jobs and stimulate economic growth locally and nationally. “I am a farmer myself… I have started eating the produce from my farm,” he stated, emphasizing that increased agricultural activity could reduce rice importation costs.
On women and child rights, President Bio noted that Sierra Leone is now safer for women and children due to policies like the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act 2022 and the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2024.
Addressing drug abuse issues with a focus on synthetic drugs like “kush,” he mentioned setting up a task force to combat drug abuse, targeting dealers while supporting victims. He urged citizens to help expose drug sellers in their communities.
Regarding the economy, President Bio highlighted efforts to reduce inflation despite international shocks such as COVID-19. “I want to thank all of us in the Economic Management Team for working tirelessly to ensure that we improve the economy,” he remarked.
On peace and national cohesion, he encouraged citizens to avoid hate speech and embrace unity for development. “Where there is no unity there will be no development because investors will be scared… So I want to use this occasion to speak to you all to embrace peace,” he urged.
Concluding his address, President Bio clarified that there would be no other presidential election until 2028 and encouraged those seeking electoral justice to pursue legal avenues.
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