…After a failed five year

GOVERNMENT OF SIERRA LEONE

PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS

DELIVERED BY

HIS EXCELLENCY, DR JULIUS MAADA BIO, GCRSL,

President of The Republic and Commander-In-Chief of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces

On the Occasion of the Opening of the Sixth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone

In the Chamber of Parliament Building Tower Hill, Freetown

                        On Thursday, 3^rd August 2023, at 10:00 am     

Honourable Vice President,

Honourable Speaker of Parliament,

The Honourable Chief Justice,

Madam First Lady,

Honourable Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament

Members of the Judiciary,

Ministers of Government,

Honourable Members of Parliament,

Our Revered Traditional and Local Government Leaders,

Members of the Diplomatic and Consular Corps,

Members of the Security and Intelligence Services,

Members of the Fourth Estate,

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,

Fellow Sierra Leoneans,

1. I address this sixth Parliament of our illustrious Republic with a profound sense of honour and gratitude, having once again received the resounding mandate of the people to serve this great nation for another five years.

• I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the citizens of this noble land for the unwavering trust they have placed in me personally and in the Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) to continue steering the course of our democracy towards sustainable progress and prosperity.

• Within the hallowed chambers of this esteemed Parliament, I am humbled by the weight of its significance. As a staunch advocate of democratic principles, I hold this institution in the highest regard. It embodies the very essence of the people’s will. Here, our fellow citizens’ collective aspirations, concerns, and voices resonate and find expression. Parliament is not merely a forum for legislation; it stands as the vanguard of democratic ideals and pulsates as the lifeblood of our nation.

• I seize this opportunity once again to congratulate the esteemed Honourable Speaker, Dr Abass Chernor Bundu and Deputy Speaker, Honourable Segepoh

Solomon Thomas, for their re-election by the elected Members of Parliament to lead the legislative arm of Government. 

• A hearty congratulations to all the elected Members of Parliament for the resounding mandate to serve the people of our great nation with a steadfast commitment to the greater good. The high voter turnout at the fervently contested multi-tier elections signifies an inclusive democratic process, attesting to our citizens’ engagement and participation. 

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members 6. Today marks a momentous occasion in Sierra Leonean politics. As I gaze upon the composition of this

Parliament, a swell of pride engulfs me, for it reflects the remarkable progress we have achieved. A Government of the people, by the people, and for the people cannot be fully realised if we systematically exclude half of our population. I am, therefore, gratified by the increased representation of women within these halls. 

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members

• The recent elections witnessed a commendable 15% rise in women’s representation, with 30.4% of directly elected representatives now being women. Women are not merely women, as we have erroneously defined them in the past. Women are also policymakers and leaders, constituting the backbone of our society, the very anchor of our families. The presence of more women within this Parliament and our democracy enriches the tapestry of our nation, infusing it with compassion, empathy, and resilience.

• This sixth Parliament presents an opportunity to showcase the maturity of our democracy. Any political party’s absence of a two-thirds majority necessitates constant engagement, encouraging us to amplify all voices and engenders a more harmonious, stable, and prosperous Sierra Leone. By fostering collaboration, cooperation, and negotiation, we can transcend political divides for the ultimate benefit of our people. 

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members

• In the tapestry of democracy, continuity is pivotal, intricately woven with threads of stability and progress. It is through the seamless transition and preservation of

democratic principles and institutions that a nation’s identity endures. 

1. Five years ago, I stood before this Parliament, presenting my Government’s New Direction Manifesto and pledging to honour critical promises. Despite facing unprecedented challenges, my Government resolutely fulfilled most of those promises, even amidst global shocks that have impacted the cost of living. Through strategic policy interventions and investments in local food production, job creation, and the betterment of our public servants’ livelihoods, we have shielded our people from the adverse effects of these shocks.

1. To any impartial observer, Sierra Leone is a nation markedly better off today than it was five years ago. Across every indicator, our prioritisation of Human Capital Development has borne fruit. 

1. In the realm of healthcare, we have surpassed the health outcomes of many neighbouring countries, a testament to our unwavering commitment to the wellbeing of our citizens. Moreover, we have dedicated special attention to empowering women and girls, ensuring their meaningful participation in every facet of life, from education to politics, and safeguarding their social protection.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members,

1. Today, I stand before you with immense pride as we embark upon a new five-year mandate that echoes the call for continuity. With great honour, I present the New Direction: Consolidating the Gains and Accelerating Transformation Agenda. This ambitious vision builds upon the principles outlined in the 2023 People’s Manifesto of the SLPP. This agenda encapsulates the spirit of progress, seizing the newfound opportunities we have forged while confronting emerging challenges and propelling Sierra Leone towards middle-income status by 2035.

1. As espoused in our SLPP People’s Manifesto, which we used to campaign to citizens with our message of hope, unity and prosperity, my new administration’s national development agenda will emphasise five key initiatives that will shape the course of our nation.

1. First and foremost, “Feed Salone” will ignite agricultural productivity, safeguard food security, and foster inclusive economic growth, laying the foundation for sustained prosperity. 

1. “Human Capital Development,” with a deliberate focus on gender equality, will nurture the skills required for the industries of the 21^st Century, empowering our workforce for a transformative future. 

1. The “Youth Employment Scheme” will unleash a focused initiative to create abundant job opportunities, providing our young talents with a platform to flourish and contribute to our nation’s progress. 

1. The “Technology and Infrastructure Initiative” will serve as an engine for sustained economic growth, harnessing

the power of innovation and robust infrastructure to propel Sierra Leone to middle-income status. 

1. Finally, “Revamping the Public Service Architecture” will usher in a new era of delivery efficiency and professionalism, enhancing the efficacy of our public sector institutions.

• These strategic initiatives form the bedrock upon which we shall usher in profound change, serving as catalysts to revolutionise economic growth, alleviate hunger and poverty, elevate public service efficiency, generate abundant employment prospects, and foster resilience in adversity.

• We have meticulously chosen these initiatives to maximise the manifold opportunities before us, drawing invaluable lessons from the crucible of crisis-era governance. 

• By concentrating our efforts on these transformational endeavours and harnessing the insights gleaned from our trials, our Government aspires to build upon the remarkable progress achieved thus far. We shall propel Sierra Leone further along the trajectory of sustainable development and unparalleled prosperity. 

• Our ultimate objective is to forge an unyielding framework that ensures our nation’s continued advancement, harnessing the boundless potential for growth and profound positive changes that lie before us in the years ahead.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members, 

24. Allow me to expound on my government’s “Big Five Game-Changers” for our nation’s sustainable economic development and social progress.

I.        FEED SALONE

• Feed Salone” initiative is an unwavering testament to our commitment to forging a self-sufficient Sierra Leone where agricultural productivity thrives, hunger diminishes, and societal resilience flourishes. 

II. HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT: NURTURING

SKILLS FOR 21ST CENTURY INDUSTRY

stability and driving progress within developing nations.

Over the past five years, our flagship programme, Free Quality School Education, has propelled us to remarkable achievements, resulting in an unprecedented surge in school admittance and university entrance examination pass rates. 

skills and bolstering public health and emergency systems, we are well-prepared to meet our nation’s evergrowing demands for healthcare services.

III. Youth Employment Scheme: A Catalyst for

Democracy, Economic Productivity, and National

Security

IV. Enhancing              Public         Service                                Architecture:

              Empowering           Democracy          and               National

Development

        V. TECHNOLOGY             AND INFRASTRUCTURE

INITIATIVE

CONCLUSION Mr Speaker, Honourable Members

unity, we can achieve stability, progress, and prosperity in our democracy.

engagement, laying the foundation for Sierra Leone’s ascent to middle-income status by 2035.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members

• On behalf of the Executive, I pledge to nurture a healthy relationship with this esteemed Parliament and all branches of Government. Together, we shall strive to achieve our shared goals over the next five years, remaining steadfast in our commitment to democracy, peace, and the Rule of Law. 

• We have long since departed from the darkness of conflict and embraced the illuminating light of freedom and democratic principles. Let this Parliament, this beacon of hope, continue to lead the way, exemplifying dedication to the noble task of nationbuilding.

• Let us never take the peace and stability we currently enjoy for granted. Look around us, both on our continent and worldwide, and we witness the devastating consequences that unfold when political actors fail to

resolve their differences with maturity and respect for the law.

• It falls upon our shoulders to safeguard this democracy, to support our citizens as we propel the economy forward, and to create a safe and stable atmosphere where every Sierra Leonean can flourish, holding their heads high with pride on the global stage.

• To our neighbours, brothers, and sisters in the West African sub-region and the broader African continent, I call upon your sustained support for our hard-earned democracy. Together, we can forge a future of hope, progress, and mutual prosperity. 

• I eagerly anticipate collaborating with partners within and beyond our borders, including regional organisations such as ECOWAS, the African Union Commission, and the wider international community. With their support, my Government shall continue to ignite the flame of hope in the hearts of our cherished citizens.

Mr Speaker, Honourable Members

• My Government remains committed to ensuring that State institutions undertake their mandates efficiently. In my last administration, we fully supported the Electoral Commission for Sierra Leone (ECSL) and other related

Election Management Bodies (EMBs). The ECSL has a

Constitutional mandate supplemented by the Public Elections Act 2022 for planning and conducting public elections in Sierra Leone. 

• The June 24^th Multi-tier elections identified some logistical limitations that were, however, assessed as not negatively impacting the overall outcome of the Multitier elections in Sierra Leone. To improve ECSL’s continued planning and conduct of transparent and fair elections, a National Electoral Systems Review Committee will be established to assess the planning and management of the 2023 electoral cycle.  

• The National Electoral Systems Review Committee’s objective will be two-fold:
  • To review the prevailing legal framework, related institutional and operational arrangements, and local and international observer missions’ reports. 
  • To propose key reforms for institutionalising the recommendations to enhance the operations of the entire electoral architecture in Sierra Leone.

• The National Electoral Systems Review Committee, with a broad membership of the Government, Development Partners, Civil Society and Professional Organisations, will be led by the Honourable Vice President and supported by an ad-hoc Technical Secretariat. The key deliverable of the Review Committee will be an Electoral Systems Review Report that will lay the foundation for critical reforms in the electioneering process with reference to the ECSL and all other EMBs in Sierra Leone. 

  Mr Speaker, Honourable Members

• Gratitude must be extended to our security forces, judiciary, media and Civil Society. They have been pillars of strength in advancing the cause of democracy in Sierra Leone. I pledge to uphold their independence, for there can be no democracy without the rule of law, no democracy without security, and no democracy without a free press that informs, educates and holds public officeholders accountable.

• As we embark on this shared journey, let us move forward with optimism and determination. May God’s blessings be upon every one of us, and may His divine guidance bless the Republic of Sierra Leone.

• Thank you, and let us continue this noble work together for the advancement of the country that we love, our Sierra Leone.