–as He Opens Sierra Leone’s Parliamentary Session
Freetown, August 7, 2025 – Sierra Leone’s President, Dr. Julius Maada Bio, has called for a renewed national dialogue on adopting proportional representation in governance, as he officially opened the Third Session of the Sixth Parliament of the Second Republic at the Parliament Building in Tower Hill, Freetown.
Delivering his keynote address, President Bio urged both lawmakers and citizens to embrace reform that promotes unity, equity, and inclusion. He advocated for the implementation of proportional representation not only in parliamentary elections but across the executive and public service, stating that such reforms would deepen democracy and ensure fairer representation for all Sierra Leoneans.
“As leaders entrusted with our nation’s future, we must continually champion reforms that foster unity and inclusion,” the president declared. “It is time to renew national dialogue on adopting proportional representation, not just for parliamentary elections, but across the executive and public sector.”
Addressing lawmakers in the parliamentary chamber, President Bio described Parliament as the “beating heart of our democracy,” emphasizing the role of legislation in shaping the lives of ordinary citizens across homes, farms, schools, and marketplaces.
He praised Members of Parliament for prioritizing national interest over partisanship during the previous legislative year, acknowledging their contributions to economic stabilization and expanded opportunities for women and youth.
The President urged lawmakers to review the governance report submitted by the administration, highlighting achievements aligned with the Medium-Term National Development Plan (2024–2030). He said the plan is turning “bold goals into tangible results,” particularly in improving access to services and restoring public trust in government institutions.
Major Achievements Highlighted
A key focus of President Bio’s address was the government’s flagship Feed Salone initiative. He reported an 8% increase in domestic rice production and a 13% drop in rice imports, saving the nation $15 million. This has led to a more than 20% reduction in rice prices, and the recent opening of three rice mills is further strengthening local agricultural value chains.
On education, the President reaffirmed his commitment to human capital development. He announced the construction of over 1,500 new classrooms and the training of more than 20,000 teachers, including 14,500 in early-grade literacy and numeracy. Government continues to cover exam fees for NPSE, BECE, and WASSCE, and recent independent assessments show Sierra Leonean students are now on par with peers in Africa’s top education systems.
He also spotlighted a $3.5 million Centre of Excellence for Automotive Training, developed in partnership with Japan and UNIDO, which offers 39 certified modules and places strong emphasis on empowering young women in technical fields.
In healthcare, President Bio announced a 2% increase in domestic health spending, recruitment of over 14,000 health workers, and the doubling of medical school enrollment. Major accomplishments include:
The new 166-bed Julius Maada Bio Pediatric Centre of Excellence in Lumley, upgraded hospitals in all regions and districts, Deployment of ambulances in all 16 districts, Installation of oxygen plants, A 70% reduction in maternal and newborn deaths, Improved national immunization coverage
Regional Diplomacy and National Sovereignty
On foreign policy and security, President Bio reiterated Sierra Leone’s commitment to peace in resolving the long-standing Yenga border dispute, while remaining prepared to defend the nation’s sovereignty lawfully. He also referenced his recent appointment as Chairman of ECOWAS, calling it both an honor and an opportunity for Sierra Leone to lead regional efforts in trade, peacebuilding, infrastructure, and democratic transitions.
A Call for Unity and Justice
As he concluded his address, President Bio made an emotional appeal for renewed commitment to fairness and national unity, warning against complacency.
“Let us build a country where justice is not selective, where opportunity is not reserved for the privileged, and where every Sierra Leonean can live with dignity, pride, and hope,” he urged.
The President closed with a prayerful appeal: “May the Almighty God bless our beloved Republic. May God guide our work in this Parliament and across our land. And may we always serve Sierra Leone with honour, humility, and unshakeable integrity.”
Courtesy of the State House Media and Communications Unit, Republic of Sierra Leon.
