Mrs. Chief Minister —Kate Krontiris has officially been appointed Co-Chair of the Miatta Civic Centre Advisory Council, a government position

Sierra Leone Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh and wife—Kate Krontiris

Kate Krontiris, Principal of Studio Culture and Co-Founder of Telem Uncommon Sounds, and wife of Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, has been appointed co-chair of the new Miatta Civic Centre Advisory Council, which was formerly known as the Miatta Conference Center.

Government sources confirmed that the co-chair position offers a cool $10,000 a month salary —the buzz.

She will co-lead the council alongside Mariama Anthony-Williams, joining a team of advisors tasked with guiding the redevelopment of the landmark into a hub for civic, cultural, and creative activities, according to the government website.

‘The Council will provide strategic advice, champion the project nationally and internationally, and help mobilize resources and partnerships to ensure the Miatta Civic Centre becomes a thriving, inclusive, and sustainable space.’

'Today marks the beginning of the Miatta Civic Centre transformation project, which I am honored to lead,' Krontiris stated.

The appointment, although positive, is generating a flurry of responses on social media.

One Facebook user commented, 'Salone all man for taste the brown envelope na by family now d power don leff.'

Another was even explicit. Bio's government focuses on national development. 🤣🤣. So, it appears Mrs. Chief Minister has landed the prestigious gig of teaching Sierra Leoneans to rediscover frying plantains. Yes folks. The new 'Slave Mistress' will be teaching Sierra Leoneans how to preserve their culture, and it's with a cool $10,000 a month salary.

‘Salone sweet 😁😁😁👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾’

Although there were some congratulatory messages in the mix.

2025 Krio Descendants Union (KDU) Global Family Reunion

Thursday, August 28, 2025 — Monday, September 1, 2025

In videos and photos: 'Wan Wik Celebration'

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The KDU Symposium on Saturday at the Crown Plaza Hotel

The great 'Sina' at the KDU Symposium. 2025 Krio Descendants Union (KDU) Global Family Reunion. Note: To enlarge the video view, use the pinch gesture or tap the blue circle on the video player.

KDU Global Family Reunion Dinner & Dance— Saturday

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KDU Global Family Reunion Thanksgiving Service- Sunday, August 31, 2025

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The Gooding Family

KDU Global Family Reunion Spirit of Washington Brunch Cruise- Monday, September 1, 2025

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‘LEH WI GEDA WI SEF’

KDU Maryland Member

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Most Read from YAME Digital: SIERRA LEONE

Where the Heart Is

…The Krio of Sierra Leone

READ

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A side note: The ‘Awujor’ event, scheduled for Saturday from 12:30 PM to 5:30 PM, was unexpectedly shut down by park authorities around 2:30 PM due to an oversized crowd, estimated to be over a thousand attendees. While that was disappointing, the Dinner & Dance later that evening turned out to be an incredible experience! It truly made up for the earlier setback, leaving everyone buzzing with excitement! The big night ended up being the perfect celebration😄

Theo Edwards for YAME Digital

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RELATED

“Cassandra Garber discusses the topic of Krio Descendants.”

— Source: CGTN

Every year on 31st August, the world comes together through the UN International Day for People of African Descent to honour the shared heritage, diverse culture, and influence of Africans and the global African diaspora. This day also serves as an opportunity to raise international awareness about the challenges of systemic racism, discrimination, and exclusion faced by individuals of African descent worldwide.

Note: To enlarge the video view, use the pinch gesture or tap the blue circle on the video player.

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“Krio Descendants Union (KDU) Maryland held a Thanksgiving Reception on Sunday, September 28, 2025, in Takoma Park, Maryland, as part of ongoing KDU events connected to the KDU Global Family Reunion. The community engagement celebrates faith, unity, and Krio culture.”

— Source: UPDATED: Sunday, September 28, 2025 | Takoma Park, Maryland

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Lan Fɔ Rid Ɛn Rayt Krio, by Esme James

Wi fɔ prawd fɔ sabi rid di langwej we Papa Gɔd gi wi.

de na Amazɔn

Education & Teaching

This book provides a set of lessons that describe the Krio alphabet and highlight key differences between it and the letters and usage of the English alphabet. It is a beginner's guide to reading and writing in Krio for speakers who are fluent in both Krio and English.

Also, na Amazɔn— ‘Krio Nansi Stori Dɛm: A collection of short stories in Krio and English’

Klik fɔ bay na Amazɔn

Hundreds Participate in Emancipation Day march

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“BARBADOS: August 1, 2025: This morning, I joined hundreds of Barbadians who came out in their numbers to March for Emancipation and Peace. May we never forget what Emancipation Day means and always remember why we must strive for total emancipation!”

— Source: Mia Mottley, Barbados Prime Minister

Around 300 people from across Barbados and the region gathered on Friday morning for the annual Emancipation Day celebrations.

Chanting slogans and accompanied by the steady beat of African drums, participants set off from several points, including The Pine, Two Mile Hill, Norman Niles Roundabout, and Mapp Hill, converging at the Emancipation Statue—commonly known as the Bussa Statue. The procession was a vibrant display of cultural pride, unity, and remembrance.

Scenes from today’s the Emancipation Day march. (SZB)

Waving flags and dressed in traditional African attire or group uniforms, participants in the March for Emancipation and Peace represented a cross-section of society: Pan-African organisations, religious and cultural groups, government officials, and members of the public. Among the groups present were the Orthodox Ethiopian Church, Youth Advanced Corps, Girl Guides, Israel Lovell Foundation, as well as Muslim and Rastafari representatives, a rollerblading troupe, delegates from Suriname, and dancers from Twisted All Stars Gym, Barbados.

At the statue, symbolic offerings were laid as spiritual leaders led blessings. The atmosphere was reflective but celebratory, filled with chants, drumbeats, and cultural expression.

Delivering the feature address, Prime Minister Mia Mottley reminded attendees that the Bussa Statue, erected 40 years ago, stands as a symbol of national struggle and ongoing progress.

Prime Minister Mia Mottley and other government officials took part in the Emancipation Day march. (SZB)

“We take for granted today the tribulations and the conversation that led to the erection of this statue,” she said. “It reminds us of our journey and how far we have come, but yet how far we still have to go.”

Mottley urged Barbadians to reflect during what she described as a pivotal moment: “This year represents the first year of the last decade to the 200th anniversary of emancipation. And that 200 years, for some, will seem like two, because if the veins of injustice continue to run through wherever they are found, then emancipation remains an elusive dream.”

She encouraged Barbadians to free their minds from modern-day forms of oppression.

Scenes from the March for Emancipation and Peace held earlier today. (SZB)

“The real difficult battle comes in understanding how we can reach the scale in getting our people to emancipate their minds. The whips and the battleships are not the modern enemy, it is the algorithms and the unseen and the cancer of indifference.” 

She also spoke out against skin bleaching and Eurocentric beauty standards, calling for a return to self-love and cultural rootedness grounded in Ubuntu—the African philosophy of shared humanity: “I am because we are.”

“Our ancestors did not seek to free us for us to be imprisoned in our spirits or our homes. Hurt people hurt people—we must face that truth,” she said.

Several youth groups took part in the annual Emancipation Day celebrations. (SZB)

Citing national heroes such as Bussa, Nanny Grigg, Clement Payne, and Errol Barrow, the prime minister told Barbadians, “The task is not too big. It is ours to run our leg of the relay.”

The day’s activities continued with Kilombo: The Emancipation Village, a family event featuring food, music, crafts, and wellness sessions.

BARBADOS TODAY.bb | Written by Sheria Brathwaite | Updated by Fernella Wedderburn | 01/08/2025 | SHARE

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Widow Twerks Against Cardboard Cut-out of her Late Husband During his Funeral in Peru

PERU: A widow was seen twerking against a cardboard cutout of her late husband during his funeral in Peru. Dressed in black, the grieving woman playfully rubbed herself against the life-sized figure while onlookers cheered and celebrated. A reggaeton singer, known as “El Cangri del Callao,” was hired as a “wake entertainer” to provide entertainment for the event. It took place on 6 July during the late man's wake..

The singer, who calls himself a ‘wake entertainer’ on social media, even encouraged other mourners to join in the raunchy dance at the wake in Peru.

The urban singer, known as ‘El Cangri del Callao’. (Picture: Jam Press)

He later shared the clip on his Instagram page, where it went viral with 4.3 million views and nearly 8,000 comments, as reported by Need To Know.

One local commented,

“Hi bro, I'm going to die on July 23.

Are you available?” 🤣😂😂

Another added: “They are very young, but in my time we cried at funerals.”

One other comment pointed out how a "farewell should be joyful, not sad".

While a fellow performer said, "I've performed funerals and wakes, but always from a very different tone to what this video shows. "I've never had the opportunity to capture a farewell from such a luminous, vivid perspective.”

The scene was widely shared online, garnering both support and criticism for its bold display and humorous take on mourning. This act was meant to be a tribute, showcasing the couple's playful dynamic, as noted by sources close to the family. It also highlights the variety of mourning rituals found across different cultures.

Illegal Demolition of the Krio Descendants Union (KDU) Proposed Museum—

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MURRAY TOWN: The 'Krio Ose' is a cultural and community center dedicated to the Krio people. On the morning of Friday, July 11, 2025, the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) was accused of demolishing the construction site of the Krio Ose without providing any legal notice.

Melbourne Garber, a structural engineer and member of the Krio Descendants Union, expressed his outrage over the incident, stating that the demolition was conducted without any legal notice or court order.

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Most Read from YAME Digital:

Who Were the Krios of Sierra Leone?

The Krio Descendants Union KDU mission

Liberated slaves from the Caribbean, American slaves who had escaped to Canada, and emancipated slaves residing in Britain formed the first resettlement group.

READ

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Garber described the demolition as an act of lawlessness, pointing out that the construction had cost the KDU over Le 600 million (Old Leones). He criticized the military's actions, stating, "They recklessly demolished the site during ungodly hours, like thieves in the night."

A representative of the KDU confirmed that the Union possesses all legal documentation related to the land lease, which the Freetown City Council issued. He described the situation as both disappointing and troubling, noting that attempts by the Building Committee and other members to resolve the issue had not been successful. “There seems to be a sense that this matter may be more political than it appears,” he remarked, urging members to stay united as the Union works towards a resolution.

The Demolition of the “Krio Ose,” Is It Tit for Tat? Let us begin by taking a mental journey back in history.

As a child growing up in Freetown, I learned that there is a particular ethnic group known for their inability to forgive or let go of grudges. They tend to hold onto resentments and pass them down through generations, making them seem quite vindictive.

They never forgive.

Most of the inhabitants at the Murray Town barracks are from that ethnic group, and they have lived there for about three generations.

As a result of overpopulation in the barracks, adult children were asked to leave. Those affected were evicted from the barracks and moved next door, where they squatted on land owned by the Sierra Leone Grammar School, which they referred to as the "Krio School." They built makeshift structures on the land and intimidated the schoolchildren, preventing them from attending classes.

There were many skirmishes between the students and the military officers. At one point, the Sierra Leone Grammar School had to close for a couple of weeks.

The school authorities, along with members of the old boys' association, rallied together, as their school song states, and sought justice in the high court. It was a long and arduous journey, but in the end, justice prevailed.

A court order was issued for the demolition of structures on the Sierra Leone Grammar School land, destroying numerous buildings. Many of these buildings were built by military officers whose children currently hold positions of authority in the government, including General Tuluva and Captain Jalloh, among others. These individuals were in their early to mid-teens when these events occurred in the 1990s.

The Krios sought a location to create a museum that would showcase their culture and traditions.

The Krios sought a location to create a museum that would showcase their culture and traditions, train young Krio children about their heritage, and preserve it.

After exploring all avenues, the mayor of Freetown came to their rescue and gave them a leasehold of land from the Sir Samuel Lewis estates at Murray Town. Little did they know that these remnants from the Grammar school saga are still around.

These individuals joined the military following in their father's footsteps, carrying grudges and claiming ownership of the land. Despite holding dialogues to resolve the issue, they did not yield.

It is alleged that they trespassed on the building site at Sir Samuel Lewis Road in Murray Town in the early hours of Friday, July 11, 2025, and demolished the structure that had been built, valued at about seven hundred million leones.

Why have the Krios been an easy target?

Why have the Krios been an easy target? Is it because they are law-abiding and scared of violence perpetrated against them? The court of law, which we once believed in, is now a charade.

Where do we go now? We have been chased from all our villages and towns to the brink of extinction.

Today’s Front Page by a Krio Descendant | Share

The Krio Descendants Union

Where the Heart Is

…The Krio of Sierra Leone

The Krio of Sierra Leone has a long and storied history. In the late 18th century led by stalwarts such as William Wilberforce, the abolitionist movement in Britain was it's moral and political Apex. Ruling on a court brief, Lord Chief Justice Mansfield stated any slave who reached British soil would be regarded as free men. Abolitionists buoyed by their legal victory moved on to the next phase, the voluntary repatriation of ex-slaves to Africa.

The British Navy played a pivotal role in stemming the flow of human cargo on the high seas. Liberated slaves from the Caribbean, American slaves who had escaped to Canada and emancipated slaves residing in Britain formed the first resettlement group. Many were educated, skilled laborer and artisans. In 1787 girded with supplies and faith, 411 prodigal souls landed at Kruman’s Bay on Sierra Leone’s Atlantic coast.

Captain Thompson negotiated a land grant from King Tom a local Temne chief. The first settlement known as Granville Town had its share of problems and many settlers died from disease and hardship through subsequent generations, colonialism and civil war the Krio legacy and culture have endured.

The Krio today are spread throughout the world, the impetus for leaving being the pursuit of economic and educational opportunities, however, no matter the distance. The need to forge connections and help the less fortunate back home remains strong.

Alumni of Sierra Leone’s most famous schools such as, Annie Walsh, Prince of Wales and the Grammar School host charitable events. Proceeds raised fund scholarships, computers and educational supplies.

The Krio Descendants Union KDU mission is much broader in scope. With chapters in Europe and North America, the KDU seeks to provide not only educational resources but also materials that make a difference in the lives of everyday citizens... Through private and corporate donors much-needed foodstuffs, medical supplies, and clothing. Dedicated KDU volunteers are imbued with a sense of “giving back” and love for their ancestral homeland. Charity galas provide social interaction also political forums. These exchanges foster ideas on how to improve the lot of Sierra Leoneans. It is impossible to understate the social component that the KDU engenders. At its many worldwide functions relatives and old friends have the chance to renew familial and cultural bonds.

Within their core KDU members are selfless individuals dedicated and unified by one vision, keeping the Krio culture alive and improving the lives of all Sierra Leoneans. Groups like the Krio Descendants Union foster an unflappable sense of optimism that fuels hope for better days ahead.

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London's Fashion Alphabet Temporary Display: the Krios of Sierra Leone

“The Most Influential Community in Sierra Leone: The Krio People.”

— Joshoid /UPDATED:

The Krio People, also known as the Sierra Leone Creoles, are descendants of African Americans, Afro-Caribbeans, and Africans who were rescued by anti-slavery patrols from the West Africa Squadron of the British Royal Navy.

Today, the Krio people number over 100,000 people and make up about 1.2 percent of the Sierra Leonean population.

The Krio People, along with the Americo-Liberians are regarded as the only recognized ethnic group of African American, Liberated African, and Afro-Caribbean descent in West Africa.

The first to find a colony in Sierra Leone were 411 African American and Afro-Caribbean settlers who arrived in the year 1787. These settlers partly consisted of African Americans who had joined British forces during the American Revolutionary War and were promised freedom from enslavement.

These settlers arrived in successive waves to the Western area of Sierra Leone and, in the year 1792, the city of Freetown was founded by Nova Scotian Settlers.

The Nova Scotian Settlers were formerly enslaved African Americans who joined British forces during the American Revolutionary War. After the British lost the American War of Independence, they kept their promise to the former slaves and resettled them mainly in Nova Scotia, Canada.

In later years, many of these African Americans migrated to Sierra Leone and usually referred to themselves as ‘Nova Scotians.’

The next arrivals were Jamaican Maroons, who were descendants of Africans who freed themselves from slavery in the Colony of Jamaica and established communities of free black people in the island's mountainous interior. Around 600 were deported by British authorities in Jamaica and were resettled in Sierra Leone.

Later on, many Afro-Caribbean immigrants from Barbados, the Bahamas, and Bermuda migrated to Sierra Leone and settled in settlements across the Freetown peninsula throughout the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

The last major group of immigrants to Sierra Leone was the Liberated Africans or ‘Recaptives.’ They originated mainly from many West African ethnic groups, particularly the Yoruba People, the Akan People, the Ibo People, and the Fulani people.

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“KDU, London | Annual Thanksgiving Service”

— St Mark's Church, 337 Kennington Park Road, London SE11 4PW | Sunday 4 August 2024

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“Una day sell den krio ose dem.”

— Sierra Leone Cultural Extinction

Phone number: +232 78 800200

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“Annual Thanksgiving Service | September 29, 2024, 2 PM | Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church | 7410 New Hampshire Avenue Takoma Park, MD 20912.”

— Krio Descendant Union (KDU) Maryland

Website: Krio Descendant Union (KDU) Maryland

Idris Elba Arrived In His Father´s Native Sierra Leone For The First Time

Elba’s visit to Sierra Leone had been long-awaited

By Theo Edwards

A native of Sierra Leone, Idris Elba, arrived in Freetown for the first time. Elba was born and raised in London; his mother, Eve, is from Ghana and his father, Winston, from Sierra Leone, where he has expressed interest in investing in eco-tourism.

Idris Elba arrived in Sierra Leone on Wednesday, December 18, 2019, where he is due to receive Sierra Leone citizenship and celebrate Christmas with the President, Julius Maada Bio, according to government sources.  Elba planned to visit Sherbro Island renowned for its pristine tropical beaches. The country hopes to revitalize its tourism industry. And, with Mr. Idris Elba as the country's Brand Ambassador, he brings with it new life and vitality.

A native of Sierra Leone, Idris Elba, arrived in Freetown for the first time. Elba was born and raised in London; his mother, Eve, is from Ghana and his father, Winston, from Sierra Leone, where he has expressed interest in investing in eco-tourism. Mr. Elba’s visit to Sierra Leone had been long-awaited.

During a meeting at the State Lodge on Hill Station, President Bio said that Mr. Elba’s visit to Sierra Leone had been long-awaited, saying that he could feel his burning desire to come back home to be welcomed by his country people. He said that the country had gone through a lot with a scarred image, which needed a conscientious effort from everyone to change that perception and create a new narrative.

Idrissa Akuna Elba OBE is an actor, writer, producer, musician, DJ, rapper, and singer. Nickname DJ Big Driis (Idris) was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in the 2016 New Year Honors for his services to drama. He is best known for his roles in Marvel franchise films such as "Thor" and "The Avengers." Others include Stringer Bell in the HBO series The Wire, DCI John Luther in the BBC One series Luther, and Nelson Mandela in the biographical film Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. In 2018 was named People magazine sexiest man alive.

Friday 20 December 2019, His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio issued the British Hollywood actor, and musician, Idris Elba, with a Sierra Leonean Diplomatic Passport and pronounced him a Brand Ambassador for the small resource-rich West African nation.

Friday 20 December 2019, His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio issued the British Hollywood actor, and musician, Idris Elba, with a Sierra Leonean Diplomatic Passport and pronounced him a Brand Ambassador for the small resource-rich West African nation.

Receiving the passport, Idris Elba said that he was honored and thankful for the opportunity to become a citizen of his father’s country, noting that it was an honor for his family. He said he always wanted to come to Sierra Leone, adding, his career afforded him and his family the ability to rebrand the country.

RELATED

Actions The U.S. Took To Address FGM/C In Its Foreign Policy

FGM: The Hot Button Topic

By J Reynold Weeks: Credit Source:

In 2019, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a unanimous resolution condemning FGM/C as a human rights violation. The resolution condemning FGM/C was co-sponsored by 28 members of Congress and calls for “coordinated efforts to eliminate the harmful practice.”

Two reports by the U.S. GAO from 2016 found the U.S. efforts to end the practice lacking and in need of significant improvement both in the U.S. and abroad. Despite the clear recommendations outlined in those reports, very little has changed since they were issued. The United States presently has only one program explicitly dedicated to ending FGM/C through foreign assistance. A three-year program in Kenya due to expire in 2021. US$5 million for the U.N. joint international program focused on eliminating FGM/C. Supports 17 countries, and led to national laws banning the practice in 13 of those countries, and 12 have appropriated funds from their respective national budgets to specifically address FGM/C through investigation, prosecution, intervention, prevention, and care services.

The United States government has issued several policy statements and recommendations.

• In 2017, the USAID guidance on Female GENITAL Mutilation/Cutting was released

• In 2016, the State Department launched the US Global Strategy to Empower Adolescent Girls, which included specific goals and objectives to ensure adolescent girls were able to reduce their risks and vulnerability

• The State Department’s Office of Global Women’s Issues has worked closely with high prevalence countries such as the Gambia and Egypt on partnerships with local leaders and community outreach to combat the practice via legal reforms, public education and awareness campaigns

• The 2016 US Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence Globally defined FGM/C as a form of gender-based violence but did not recommend specific actions to address the practice

• Although the State Department includes information on FGM/C in their annual Human Rights Country Reports, under the Trump Administration, reporting on women’s rights issues has been curtailed in countries that generate asylum petitions, and have the greatest levels of gender inequality. As a result, reporting on FGM/C appears to be less robust since 2018, the first year for which the Trump administration was responsible for country reports

While the U.S. has a federal law prohibiting transporting minors abroad for FGM/C in a practice already described as “vacation cutting,” a 2016 GAO report noted that existing efforts to raise awareness on this issue need improvement. Currently, there are very few investigations and prosecution of FGM/C, in part due to the confusion over reporting requirements.

RELATED

Female Genital Mutilation

FGM: The Hot Button Topic

By J Reynold Weeks: Credit Source:

Acknowledgments: Dr. Nina Smart, the United Nations, recognized Ambassador and Representative, FGM/C. Policymakers and researchers.

Growing up in West Africa, it did not seem to be of importance to me when young girls mostly in their teens with distinguished colorings on their faces and other parts of their bodies were paraded bare-breasted if there were any to be bared, in the streets of my village.

As I grew older, I became curious. Was it to satisfy the social norms that seek to suppress the girls’ sexual desires or expressions? Was it a religious ritual, or was it a cultural practice in my country alone?

Every year, there are about 3 million girls forced to undergo a procedure to remove or modify their genitalia to fulfill social norms which look to suppress women’s sexual desire and expression. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) as: 'all procedures involve partial or total removal of the external female genitalia or other injuries to the female organs.' The practice has no known health benefits. Moreover, it most frequently occurs to girls from infancy to age 15. Adult women are also at risk.

Approximately 200 million girls and women alive today have survived FGM/C, and an estimated 3 million girls are at risk of FGM/C each year according to the group Equality Now.

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Although 43 countries globally have banned the practice, it still occurs at a very high rate in at least 30 countries where it is measured. Mainly in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. While now considered to be both child abuse and a violation of girls’ and women’s human rights, FGM/C is a deeply entrenched practice with roots in inequitable gender norms.

Despite my youthful misconceptions to the contrary, FGM/C not rooted in any religious or theological tradition. This practice is not limited to any one country, region, religion, or culture.

Frequently FGM/C is tied to cultural traditions and norms related to perceived purity and family honor around virginity and girls’ sexuality. Since these beliefs are rooted in cultural norms, immediate change is difficult even in countries where strong laws and or policies exist.

Infection, obstetric fistula, excessive bleeding, difficulties related to menstruation, sexual problems, infertility, cysts, scarring, increased risk of complications during pregnancy and childbirth in some cases death, believed to be negative health consequences. Many survivors of FGM/C experience physical trauma, pain, and complications, which can lead to psychological harm such as post-traumatic stress, flashbacks, fear, anxiety, and depression. Research also suggests that in countries or communities where FGM/C is prevalent, individual girls who do not undergo the process are at risk for trauma and isolation as a result of social stigmas stemming from their non-conformity.

As such, it is clear that programs that seek to outlaw FGM/C or change individual behavior without addressing the root causes and social norms may do more harm than good.

"Actions The U.S. Took To address FGMC/C in its Foreign Policy," will be the next publication.

Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio’s TED Talk

Vickie Remoe's Review

OPINION:

I listened to President Bio’s  passionate TED Talk today where he highlighted how far he and Sierra Leone have come. He positioned Sierra Leone as a place with opportunities for all. Where technology and innovation will allow our nation of 7 million to come from behind the shadow of its past.

It was a great talk not because of the delivery (which was excellent) but because of what Sierra Leone has been able to accomplish simply by fighting corruption. In just one year in office the government without bringing in any new investors or any more money from donors was able to accomplish things none of us believed could happen.

I was at the Presidential Debate last year where Maada Bio talked about the Free Education Policy. At the time I didn’t think he would deliver. I actually thought it was just another politician’s campaign promise, copying the formula of Ghana’s Akuffo-Addo who had campaigned on a promise of free Senior High School Education and won. I figured Bio had thought that if it got Akuffo-Addo elected then why not him. In August when the Free Quality Education Policy was launched many thought that the government’s priorities were misplaced. How do you fund a free quality education policy for all when you don’t have any money. The President and the Vice President even donated parts of their salaries to the project at the time.

Less than a year later Sierra Leone has been able to successfully fund free quality education for all. It’s not that the country didn’t have money, it is that money was being diverted by corrupt politicians and civil servants.

Here are the key wins against corruption highlighted in President Bio’s TED Talk:

1. Anti-Corruption Commissioner under President Bio has had 100% conviction rate. ACC has recovered over $1.5 million of stolen money. Monies recovered have been invested  into the construction of the first national medical diagnostic center.

2. Millennium Challenge Cooperation gave Sierra Leone a green scorecard for the control of corruption indicator for the first time.

3. By closing loop holes in its financing system and making it harder for public theft and corruption Sierra Leone was able to launch and fund a Free Quality Education program with two million students as beneficiaries. The FQEP funds  scholarships for all students who enroll to study STEM in college, and at the primary level it funds school feeding, and educational materials too.

The big lesson here for other African countries is this: If you fight corruption you can find the resources to invest in your people. Africans must remain steadfast in the fight against corruption.

We are not poor, we’re just wasteful with misplaced priorities. Sierra Leone is a model for  what is possible when you fight corruption. My hope is that it continues to be that. In years to come Sierra Leone of Africa will be where people go when they want to learn about best practices in the fight against corruption.

We will be the case study not just for human capital development, but also for ending corruption.

Why not? #ItIsPossible.