By Sorie Ibrahim Fofanah
President Julius Maada Bio has promised to improve the economy though he acknowledged that times are hard.
Bio made this statement at a town hall engagement with citizens from all regions across the country on 23rd July, 2024, at the Bintumani Conference hall in Freetown, where he was responding to numerous questions citizens had asked through online . The event was organised by the Ministry of Information and Civic Education.
He acknowledged that the economy is difficult but that it is global problem, saying “things are hard in America, England, Austria, Canada and Europe”. He said Sierra Leone’s economic problem is internally generated by “politics” and externally by the Covid-19, the war in Ukraine, geopolitical tension and disruption of the supply chain.
The president stated that prior to his first term , he had promised the citizens of ‘’efficient management’’ of the economy, saying that will be the hallmark of his administration.
‘’Before now, we all know that corruption was endemic and unchecked in this country,’’ he claimed, adding that the previous government was out of the programme at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) due to mismanagement of the economy, but that when his government took over, they were able to tackle corruption which made IMF to come back onboard.
‘’Because of stringent management of the monitoring and fiscal policy within a very short time, we reduced inflation from 17 to single digit, 9. That can only be achieved when people care about the economy and the citizens’’ he said.
Bio however noted that he cares for his citizens, and that his desire is to build human capital development by providing quality education, medical care, electricity, infrastructure among others.
On his Feed Salone agricultural initiative, he said this is to ensure that the country is food sufficient and available at affordable price, which would help to eradicate malnutrition. “This Feed Salone will also provide jobs for our youth,” Bio said.
He however urged citizens to take agriculture as a business, believing that it is profitable. “Even myself I am a farmer. I have a poultry farm,” Bio said.
Speaking about youth empowerment, he pointed out that his policy is “very” ambitious, with over 70% of the population youths.
“We have opened the educational sector and technical training in order to prepare our youths to handle the technical aspect of the country,’ he stated.
By end of 2028, five hundred thousand jobs will be provided for the youths, the president promised.
Copyright © 2024 Politico (29/07/24)
