MR. PRESIDENT, WHY?
On 7th August 2025, Sierra Leoneans witnessed yet another disappointing moment as President Bio delivered his State Opening Address one that many now describe as detached from the country’s harsh realities.
Hopes were high among citizens who expected the President to speak truthfully about the current state of the nation. Instead, they were met with what many believe was a series of exaggerated claims and empty promises.
A large section of the public considers this the most disconnected address yet, with the President appearing to take the people for granted. Since the inception of his administration, conditions have only worsened, with no tangible signs of improvement.
While a few party loyalists applauded him as the best president , the nation continues to struggle. The recently released 2023 Audit Report strongly contradicts many of the President’s claims, revealing that numerous issues he said were resolved still persist.
On page 5 of his speech, President Bio stated that in 2024, student enrollment, retention , and completion rates rose significantly thanks to expanded e-learning , improved internet access, solar power for underserved schools, and support for students with special needs.
This statement was seen by many as a mockery. The President provided no statistics to support his claims, making the statement vague at best. Regarding e-learning and internet access many government schools still lack internet connectivity entirely. These institutions are increasingly neglected, turning into dilapidated spaces unfit for learning. Citizens are questioning whether the President truly understands the situation on the ground.
He further claimed that the government has fully covered NPSE , BECE , and WASSCE exam fees, and is providing tuition subsidies for all public and government-assisted schools. However, evidence shows that even last academic year’s subsidies remain partially unpaid. For the current school year, only the first term has been covered with the new academic year beginning in September. Is this what the government calls “providing quality education”?
In the tertiary education sector, the President boasted about efforts to bridge the digital divide through the ELCOME program, claiming that nine universities across 23 campuses were connected to affordable internet via Starlink, benefiting over 10,000 students within 90 days . He also referenced upgrades at Milton Margai University and the Bunumbu Campus, stating that 60% of the work was completed .
Yet, the President failed to specify which campuses have actually benefited.This vagueness further fuels skepticism, with many viewing these remarks as mere political propaganda.
According to page 307 of the 2023 Audit Report, the situation at Eastern Technical University is dire. Equipment for practical learning is inadequate; computers and ICT components in the labs are insufficient , and workshops for carpentry, auto mechanics, electricals, and construction are ill-equipped with outdated machinery.
To make matters worse, essential textbooks are missing, and most library materials are outdated. The e-library has no internet, and over 30,000 e-books were inaccessible due to malfunctioning faculty computers.
At Milton Margai Technical University, the audit revealed corruption and mismanagement. Libraries at Goodrich and Congo Cross campuses are unfit for academic use, with poor ventilation , lack of air conditioners , and leaky ceilings . Books are stacked on the bare floor instead of shelves, posing safety and preservation risks.
Twelve desktop computers were found at one lab none functional. There were no computer labs at the Congo Cross and Brookfields campuses, even though students paid fees for computer services.
Medical facilities are also lacking. Brookfields Campus has no healthcare facility, while the Congo Cross Campus c , medicine , and basic medical test kits.
All of this directly contradicts the President’s claim of progress in the education sector. His speech, when measured against the audit report, is nothing more than a collection of unverified promises and disconnected rhetoric.
Many now argue that the *President’s Speech Writers* most be blamed for the national embarrassment, as they have imbibing the the culture of deceiving the nation rather than grounding the address in the reality on the ground, they continue to feed the President politically safe, yet dangerously misleading narratives making him vulnerable to public ridicule.
This is the first edition of President, Why? In upcoming editions, we will address more critical issues facing the nation.
Stay informed. Stay alert.
Media and Communications Unit
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