President Julius Maada Bio has on the 8th November, 2023 in Marrakech, Morocco told African leaders that war is not the solution to the problems of any nation, as it only causes destruction that will only send a country backward.
President Bio made this comment at the 2023 African Investment Forum at the Marrakech, Morocco, while addressing a Panel where Heads of State discussed Africa’s potentials in enhancing cooperation and productivity in the global value chains.
The 2023 Africa Investment Forum (AIF) was officially opened with an address by HM King Mohammed VI which was read out by the Sovereign’s advisor, Omar Kabbaj.
Throwing light on the Sierra Leone bloody civil war, President Bio said that Sierra Leone lost many lives and property, adding that what came out of the civil war, as lessons learnt, is what he is showing the world that war is not the answer to any problem in any nation.
He appreciated the AIF for honoring him as part of the panelist.
Digressing on the Sierra Leone war, President Bio said Sierra Leone has taken great strides in rebuilding her economy further informing the gathering that Sierra Leone used to export rice from Tumabum, but since then, the country has resulted in importing rice. He noted that every year, the country spends US$240 million to import only rice into the country.
He underscored that successive Governments have tried to improve on the food production in Sierra Leone but failed.
According to President Bio, he believes that those efforts failed because they failed to remove the bottlenecks that have served as an impediment for sustainable agriculture.
President Bio called on other African leaders to make use of his ‘Big Five Game Changers’, which he said are not meant for Sierra Leone but Africa as a whole.
He reiterated that it is only diversification of the economy that would help move attention away from the mineral sector to the agricultural sector that will create more jobs for the youth and ensure sustained economic growth.
“No nation can develop without Education. That is why I am investing in Human Capital Development,” President Bio stated.
President Bio frowned at the risk being taken by some African youths to go through the Atlantic Ocean to look for jobs to better their lives, but in the end returned in a more devastating condition.
“It is time for Africa to invest in the necessary infrastructure such as roads, energy, technology, and innovation,” President Bio said.
When asked about his role on the Security Council as a representation of Africa, H.E. said Sierra Leone returns to the UN Security Council after 50 years, noting that Africa with a population of 1.2 billion people is not well represented in the Security Council.
He assured that he will share the Sierra Leone experience with other world leaders at a global stage, and as a member of the Coordinator of the C10, he will vigorously push for the restructuring of the UN Security Council by engaging the five permanent members (P5).
President Bio highlighted that only one or two countries among the P5 have been deciding the fate of the whole world, which, according to him, is not in the interest of other countries, particularly Africa.
He emphasized the need for an expansion for the Security Council so that Africa will be represented in the permanent seats.
The opening of the event was graced by Heads of States and Government, Public and Private decision-makers and investors involved in the continent’s economic and social development.
The AIF event has helped sells President Julius Maada Bio’s Big Five Game Changers to the world as it gained more momentum, recognition and support by other Heads of State and Government, development partners and investors who were part of the event.
The conference, which was geared towards providing a robust pipeline of deals across the continent for investors seeking opportunities in emerging markets, was actualized.
The platform provided efficient solutions to investors seeking to channel capital into critical sectors in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the African Development Bank’s High 5s, and the African Union’s Agenda 2030.
In another development, President Bio met with the President of the African Development Bank (ADB) Dr. Akinwumi Adesina on the eve of the Africa Investment Forum.
President Julius Maada Bio highlighted his Government’s commitment to the Big Five priorities including “Feed Salone” initiative, and says his Government will leverage human capital development, trade, technology and Infrastructure.
President Bio expressed his thanks and appreciation to the ADB for implementing projects in Sierra Leone and for supporting his Government.
President of the African Development Bank, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina congratulated President Julius Maada Bio on his re-election and appreciated him for his Government’s support to ADB and to also honor the invitation to participate in the 2023 Africa Investment Forum Market Day’s Events in Marrakech to be held from the 8th to the 10th November, 2023.
Both sides exchanged pleasantries and spoke about issues of mutual interest, including President Bio’s Big Five Game Changers, particularly the Human Capital Development and Feed Salone Project.
