Since gaining independence in 1961, Sierra Leone has endured successive governments—some good, some bad—but none as devastating, deceitful, and directionless as the current Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) administration under current President, Julius Maada Bio. The past seven years have plunged the nation into a vortex of economic despair, political repression, and moral decay. What was once a country hopeful for recovery after years of conflict and is expected to be on a clear trajectory of recovery, is now gasping under the weight of a regime that has failed in almost every aspect of governance.
When Bio came to power in 2018, he promised transformation, discipline, and inclusive development. The SLPP’s “New Direction” manifesto spoke of transparency, accountability, food security, quality education, and a booming economy. But today, Sierra Leoneans see only empty rhetoric. Every promise has been reduced to dust. Every hope that once flickered has been extinguished by incompetence, corruption, and arrogance.
Economic Collapse and Rising Poverty:
Under Bio’s administration, Sierra Leone’s economy has experienced one of the worst downturns since independence. Inflation has spiraled out of control, the Leone has lost over 80% of its value, and basic commodities have become luxuries for ordinary citizens. From rice to fuel, from transportation to medical care—everything is unaffordable. The government’s reckless fiscal management, unnecessary borrowing, and wasteful spending have crippled the economy.
Instead of focusing on sustainable policies, the SLPP government has engaged in propaganda, blaming the global economy for failures that stem from corruption and mismanagement. The truth is that billions of dollars in aid and loans have vanished into the pockets of a few elites while the masses languish in abject poverty. The once vibrant middle class has been wiped out, replaced by a society divided between tiny privileged political elites at the expense of the suffering of millions of their compatriots with reckless abandon.
The “Free Quality Education” Scam:
Perhaps the biggest deception of Bio’s SLPP government is the so-called “Free Quality Education” program. It was launched with pomp and media spectacle, but in reality, it has been nothing more than a propaganda tool. Schools across the country lack qualified teachers, learning materials, furniture, and infrastructure. Parents still pay “hidden” fees for textbooks, uniforms, and other essentials.
While the government brags about enrollment figures, it turns a blind eye to the fact that thousands of pupils are learning under trees or in dilapidated buildings. Teachers are underpaid, overworked, and demotivated. The quality of education has fallen drastically, as reflected in the poor National Primary School Examination (NPSE) and WASSCE results year after year. Instead of addressing these glaring issues, the SLPP continues to celebrate mediocrity and manipulate statistics to mislead the public.
Corruption Gallops to a Peak:
Corruption has reached unprecedented levels under Bio’s rule. From inflated government contracts to shady procurement deals, the SLPP administration has normalized graft and nepotism. Institutions meant to fight corruption have been politicized and weaponized against opponents, while those loyal to the regime remain untouchable regardless of their crimes.
Public funds are squandered on lavish foreign trips, useless conferences, and unnecessary political appointments. Ministers and top government officials live in obscene luxury while hospitals lack drugs, schools crumble, and roads deteriorate. Transparency International and other global watchdogs have repeatedly ranked Sierra Leone among the most corrupt countries in the world, yet the government responds with excuses instead of reforms.
Human Rights Violations and Political Intolerance:
The Bio administration has also become notorious for its intolerance of dissent and human rights abuses. The country has witnessed a resurgence of state violence, arbitrary arrests, and extrajudicial killings. From the August 10, 2022 protest massacre to the November 26, 2023 failed coup incident, the government’s heavy-handed response has left dozens dead and many more imprisoned.
Journalists, activists, and opposition figures have been targeted for speaking truth to power. The promise of democracy and freedom of expression has been betrayed. Sierra Leone, once hailed for its post-war democratic progress, now stands on the brink of authoritarianism under Bio’s iron-fisted rule.
Broken Promises and Failed Projects:
The much-hyped “Feed Salone” project has turned into another monumental scam. Instead of increasing food production, the initiative has been mired in mismanagement and corruption. Farmers remain neglected, agricultural support is minimal, and hunger continues to ravage communities. The Lungi Bridge, one of Bio’s flagship infrastructure promises, remains a phantom project—nothing but talk and political theatrics.
Electricity supply is erratic, water shortages persist, and unemployment has skyrocketed. Young people, once hopeful for jobs and innovation, now drown in despair or turn to drugs like “Kush” for escape. The country’s future is being mortgaged to foreign interests while the government pretends all is well.
A Government of Lies and Propaganda:
One of the defining features of Bio’s SLPP government is its obsession with propaganda. Instead of delivering real progress, it has built a machinery of deception. State media and party loyalists flood the public with lies about imaginary achievements while silencing critics. Yet, no amount of propaganda can hide the reality of suffering Sierra Leoneans face daily.
The SLPP’s narrative of success is contradicted by the misery on the ground—hungry families, jobless youth, collapsing healthcare, and an economy on life support. Bio’s government has mastered the art of deception, but it cannot deceive the empty stomachs of the people.
History’s Verdict:
History will remember Julius Maada Bio’s SLPP government as the worst administration Sierra Leone has ever had. It will be remembered for deepening poverty, fueling corruption, and betraying the trust of the people. From independence to date, no regime has so shamelessly abused power, manipulated the truth, and destroyed national hope like the current one.
Sierra Leone today is a nation in pain—a land rich in potential but ruled by men and women who care only for themselves. The people deserve better. They deserve leaders who serve, not rulers who exploit. The time has come for Sierra Leoneans to rise above lies, propaganda, and tribal politics, and reclaim their country from the clutches of a regime that has failed them beyond measure.
Indeed, Bio’s SLPP government is not just the worst since independence—it is a national tragedy.