Since his ascension to power in 2018, President Julius Maada Bio and his Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) have faced immense scrutiny for their performance, particularly on delivering key promises outlined in their New Direction manifesto. While the administration has repeatedly emphasized its commitment to free quality education, improved healthcare, infrastructural development, and economic reform, significant bottlenecks have emerged—many of which are linked to the roles played by the president’s appointees, including ministers, senior advisors, and other executive members.
The struggles of the Bio administration to deliver on its ambitious promises are not solely the result of external factors like global economic pressures or COVID-19. A substantial portion of the blame can be attributed to inefficiencies, mismanagement, and allegations of corruption among key appointees. The Feed Salone initiative was a flagship project aimed at achieving food self-sufficiency, yet the Ministry of Agriculture has struggled to translate this vision into reality. Despite significant investments in farming inputs, machinery, and training programs, Sierra Leone remains heavily dependent on food imports. Incompetence within the ministry, compounded by weak accountability mechanisms, has been cited as a key factor.
For instance, government subsidies intended to support smallholder farmers have been marred by allegations of diversion to politically connected individuals, leaving many genuine farmers without critical resources. This failure undermines not only food security but also the administration’s broader promise of economic empowerment.
While the Free Quality Education initiative has been widely celebrated, it has not been without its challenges. The implementation process has been criticized for poor coordination and a lack of oversight. Reports of schools receiving inadequate teaching materials, overcrowded classrooms, and untrained teachers suggest that the ministry’s leadership failed to adequately plan for the program’s rapid rollout. Education is a central pillar of the SLPP’s manifesto, and shortcomings in this sector highlight broader issues of weak institutional capacity and leadership.
One of the most persistent criticisms of President Bio’s appointees is their involvement in alleged corruption scandals. These scandals have eroded public trust and diverted resources away from critical development projects.
The 2022 Auditor-General’s report exposed widespread financial irregularities across various ministries, departments, and agencies. For example, significant sums of money allocated for infrastructure projects, healthcare services, and education initiatives were either unaccounted for or spent without proper documentation.
The Ministry of Finance, led by appointees trusted by President Bio, has been at the center of some of these controversies. Questions about inflated contracts, ghost workers, and misappropriated funds have tainted the administration’s reputation and hampered its ability to deliver results.
Under Bio’s administration, several state-owned enterprises, such as Sierra Leone Commercial Bank and the National Revenue Authority (NRA), have faced accusations of mismanagement. Leaders appointed to oversee these institutions have often been selected based on political loyalty rather than competence, further weakening their effectiveness.
The ability of an administration to deliver on its promises is heavily reliant on consistent and coherent policy implementation. Unfortunately, many of Bio’s appointees have contributed to a pattern of inconsistent policies, leading to missed targets and public disillusionment.
The government’s plan to transition to a cashless economy has been undermined by poor planning and inadequate technological infrastructure. Despite the Central Bank’s efforts to roll out mobile money platforms and electronic payment systems, the process has been hampered by a lack of coordination between the Ministry of Finance and the banking sector.
Leadership within these institutions has failed to address critical barriers such as limited internet penetration, low digital literacy rates, and public mistrust of digital systems. As a result, the cashless economy remains a distant goal, and citizens continue to struggle with financial inefficiencies.
The SLPP administration pledged to promote gender equality and increase women’s participation in decision-making processes. While some progress has been made, such as the passage of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act, the implementation of these policies has been slow and uneven.
Ministers responsible for advancing gender policies have faced criticism for failing to allocate sufficient resources or prioritize grassroots engagement. This has led to limited tangible benefits for women, particularly in rural areas.
One of the most controversial aspects of President Bio’s leadership has been the perception that many of his appointees were selected based on loyalty rather than merit. Nepotism and political patronage have undermined the effectiveness of several key ministries and agencies.
Critics have pointed to the undue influence of First Lady Fatima Bio in the appointment of key figures within the administration. While her Hands Off Our Girls campaign has garnered international attention, there have been allegations of favoritism in the distribution of resources and appointments linked to her office.
The position of Chief Minister, introduced by President Bio to coordinate government functions, has been the subject of controversy. Successive Chief Ministers have been accused of centralizing power and sidelining other ministers, leading to inefficiencies and tensions within the cabinet.
The failures of Bio’s appointees have not only hindered the administration’s ability to deliver on its promises but have also had far-reaching consequences for governance and public trust.
Public confidence in the SLPP government has been significantly eroded by the perceived failures and controversies surrounding its appointees. This erosion of trust has fueled political polarization and heightened discontent among citizens, particularly youth and marginalized groups.
The actions of certain appointees have weakened public institutions, making them less capable of addressing the nation’s challenges. From compromised procurement processes to politicized recruitment practices, these issues have had a cumulative effect on the country’s development trajectory.
To restore public trust and improve governance, President Bio must take bold steps to address the shortcomings of his appointees. This includes: Strengthening Accountability: Ensuring that ministers and heads of agencies are held accountable for their performance through regular evaluations and audits.
Prioritizing Meritocracy: Appointing individuals based on qualifications and expertise rather than political loyalty.
Enhancing Transparency: Publishing detailed reports on government projects, expenditures, and outcomes to foster public trust.
Empowering Independent Oversight Bodies: Strengthening institutions such as the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to investigate and prosecute cases of misconduct.
President Bio’s administration has undoubtedly faced significant challenges, some of which are beyond its control. However, the role of his appointees in undermining the SLPP’s ability to deliver on its promises cannot be overlooked. From mismanagement and corruption to policy inconsistencies and political patronage, these issues highlight the urgent need for reform within the executive branch.
As Sierra Leone moves forward, the lessons from these struggles must inform future governance strategies. Only by addressing the systemic issues within his administration can President Bio hope to fulfill the vision of the New Direction and leave a lasting legacy of progress and development.