By Claudia Redwood-Sawyerr
First Lady Dr Fatima Maada Bio has highlighted key development initiatives of the Government of Sierra Leone in Education, Healthcare, Agriculture, Infrastructure, Women’s empowerment and Digital transformation, as she speaks at the launch of the Sierra Leone Ocean Shipping Company at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay in Freetown.
Speaking on Monday, 19 October 2026, Dr Fatima Maada Bio reflected on what she described as major developments under the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio, noting that the initiatives were intended to improve access to essential services, expand opportunities and support national development.
She cited the Free Quality Education programme and the Radical Inclusion policy as important interventions aimed at widening access to education, particularly for children and other groups historically excluded from the education system. Free education, she said, was meant “to reduce financial burden on our mothers, sisters and fathers, so that every child in this country will have access to education.”
On healthcare, the First Lady highlighted investments in health infrastructure, vaccination programmes and maternal and newborn health services. She also referenced the introduction of malaria vaccination and the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine for girls as part of efforts to address public health challenges.
Turning to agriculture, Dr Fatima Maada Bio spoke about the Feed Salone initiative, which seeks to strengthen food security, increase local agricultural production and reduce dependence on imported food. Recalling a weekend tour of parts of the country to review the sector, she said: “I’m a living witness. I saw with my own eyes the wonderful things that are happening within the agricultural sector.” She also highlighted government support for farmers through agricultural machinery, improved seeds and rice milling facilities, describing the interventions as important to improving productivity.
She further pointed to road construction and transport infrastructure as essential to connecting communities, facilitating market access and improving access to public services. “You are not just a builder, but you are the connector, the lifeline that Sierra Leone needs,” she told the President. On energy, she spoke of efforts to expand electricity access, describing improved power supply as important to national development.
The First Lady also highlighted social protection programmes, women’s empowerment and legal reforms as part of the Government’s development agenda. She commended the President for signing the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act and repealing the seditious libel law, which had criminalised certain forms of expression in Sierra Leone.
On digital transformation, she noted the shift from paper-based systems towards digital processes in governance and the public sector, describing digitalisation as an important step towards improving public administration. “That is the way to go,” she said.
Dr Fatima Maada Bio also referenced Sierra Leone’s regional and international engagements, including President Bio’s role in regional diplomacy and his advocacy for greater African representation in international decision-making.
She said the country’s engagement with international partners, including the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, reflected ongoing efforts to advance economic reforms, infrastructure development and social investment.
In the maritime sector, the First Lady talked about the ongoing construction of the industrial fishing port at Black Johnson, noting that the facility when completed is expected to create employment opportunities and support fisheries development, processing and value addition. “With the Black Johnson facility, Mr. President, we know our people will be employed,” she said.
The launch of the Sierra Leone Ocean Shipping Company comes amid broader efforts to advance the country’s economic and infrastructure development. The occasion provided a platform for the First Lady to reflect on the Government’s development priorities, while drawing attention to the role of investment and public initiatives in creating opportunities and improving the lives of Sierra Leoneans.
