My husband and I demonstrated what it truly means to lead by example. We visited our private farms at various locations in Bonthe District. We started with a symbolic harvest of hundreds of acres of rice, and thereafter visited our fish farm and livestock facilities. This is a testament to the fact that the Feed Salone Initiative requires collective responsibility. If we, as a family, can farm, every Sierra Leonean can. We must all play our individual roles in ensuring that we grow what we eat and eat what we grow. I am therefore calling on organizations, agencies, and the private sector to invest in agriculture and help make our country a food self-sufficient nation. F.M.B.

Dakar has once again shown the world the true meaning of African solidarity and leadership. Today, under the gracious hosting of my dear sister, Her Excellency Mrs. Marie Khone Faye, First Lady of Senegal, we successfully launched the national “Building Resilience” campaign — strengthening the resilience of women and girls in the face of climate change and conflict. I am deeply grateful to Her Excellency Marie Khone Faye for her warm hospitality, her powerful advocacy, and the exemplary leadership she has shown in making Senegal the seventh country to officially join this continental movement. Her clear message that “Africa will build nothing sustainable without women and girls” resonated strongly with all of us and perfectly reflects the spirit of OAFLAD. We were especially honoured by the presence and strong support of His Excellency President Bassirou Diomaye Faye. His personal engagement and the full backing of the Government of Senegal send a powerful signal that the issues affecting women and girls are national priorities. The presence of sister First Ladies from across the continent further demonstrated our shared determination to turn commitment into concrete action. The launch in Dakar was a resounding success. It strengthened our collective resolve, deepened partnerships, and reaffirmed that when African First Ladies stand together, we can drive meaningful change for the health, education, safety, and economic empowerment of women and girls. On behalf of OAFLAD, I thank the people and leadership of Senegal for their exceptional hospitality and partnership. Together, we are building a more resilient Africa — one in which every woman and girl can thrive. Dr. Fatima Maada Bio President, Organisation of African First Ladies for Development First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone

I am honoured to lead the official launch of Building Resilience, a continental initiative under my leadership as President of OAFLAD. This initiative reflects our collective commitment to strengthening the resilience of women and girls in the face of climate change, conflict, and other challenges affecting their health, dignity, and livelihoods. Together, we will continue to champion practical solutions, strengthen partnerships, and advance a future where every woman and girl has the opportunity to thrive. Building Resilience. Empowering Women. Transforming Lives. FMB.

I had the honour of accompanying my beloved husband as he delivered the keynote address at the opening of the Geneva Peace Forum 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland. As a former military officer who understands the true cost of conflict, His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio continues to champion dialogue, diplomacy, and mutual respect as the foundations of lasting global stability. In his capacity as Chairman of the C10, he brings an important African voice to international discussions on peace, security, sovereignty, and cooperation. At a time of growing global uncertainty, his message is both timely and profound: “Choose peace, and choose it early.” I am immensely proud to stand beside a leader who recognises that peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but a shared responsibility that demands courage, wisdom, and collective action. May we choose dialogue over division, understanding over hostility, and diplomacy over confrontation, for the sake of humanity and the generations yet to come. FMB.

At The City Pavilion in Romford, I had the honour of representing my beloved husband, His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio, at the inauguration of the new SLPP United Kingdom and Ireland Regional Executive. My heart was filled with pride to witness our people, distinguished leaders and members of different political parties coming together in a spirit of unity and mutual respect. As a mother and First Lady, I firmly believe that although we may have different political views, we share one home and one future. The presence of members of the All People’s Congress was a powerful reminder that we can rise above our differences and put Sierra Leone first. To the newly inaugurated executive, congratulations. I urge you to lead with humility, integrity and a genuine commitment to serving our people. Let us continue to embrace one another, protect our peace and build a Sierra Leone that our children and generations yet unborn will be proud to inherit. May Allah bless our beloved nation and guide us towards greater unity and prosperity. One Country. One People. One Sierra Leone. 🇸🇱❤️ FMB

I had the profound honour of accompanying my beloved husband, H.E. President Julius Maada Bio, to the Vatican, where we had the privilege of meeting His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. It was a deeply meaningful and historic moment for me as I watched my husband meet the spiritual leader of the Catholic Church with profound joy, humility, respect, and admiration. I was immensely proud to stand beside him and share in this significant moment in his life. As a Muslim woman married to a Catholic man who holds his faith and doctrine deeply dear, I have come to cherish the beauty of our shared journey. Our different religious traditions have never been a barrier to our love; rather, they have taught us the enduring values of mutual respect, understanding, tolerance, and acceptance. I proudly support my husband in his faith, just as he honours and respects mine. In our marriage, we have learned that our differences can enrich our understanding of one another and strengthen the bonds that unite us. This encounter at the Vatican was a powerful reminder that faith, at its best, should be a bridge between people and communities—not a wall that divides us. In a world that needs greater compassion, dialogue, and understanding, our shared commitment to faith, family, peace, and humanity remains a source of strength. I thank Almighty God for granting me the grace to witness this extraordinary moment and to stand beside my husband on this memorable occasion. May our lives and our example continue to affirm the timeless truth that love, respect, tolerance, and faith can bring humanity closer together. FMB

These are My thoughts and candid opinions.

When history is preserved for generations yet unborn, it becomes a beautiful gift to humanity. It was a profound honour to visit the Adams National Historical Park and see the Mende Bible on display, a powerful reminder of the historic connection between Boston, Massachusetts, and Bonthe in Sierra Leone. For us, this was far more than a visit to a place of historical significance. It was a deeply touching journey through a shared history of bravery, dedication, compassion and the enduring pursuit of freedom. Standing in a place where the stories of our Sierra Leonean compatriots who paved the way for generations to come are preserved was deeply moving. The courage of the Africans aboard the Amistad, the story of Sengbe Pieh, and the compassion and conviction associated with President John Quincy Adams all form part of a remarkable chapter in the history of the struggle for freedom and human dignity. I was especially honoured to make this visit alongside my husband, H.E. President Julius Maada Bio, who himself hails from Bonthe, Sierra Leone. For both of us, the connection between Bonthe and this historic place in Massachusetts carries a very special meaning. To see a piece of our heritage preserved here, allowing people from across the world to learn, reflect and remember, is truly touching. We honour those who came before us, whose courage opened doors for generations yet unborn. Their stories remind us that the pursuit of freedom, dignity and justice transcends borders and generations. From Boston to Bonthe, this history continues to connect our peoples. With gratitude, pride and love for Sierra Leone. 🇸🇱 FMB

During the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, I had the honour of joining H.E. President Julius Maada Bio at the Clinton Global Initiative dinner, where we came together in support of an important project and a shared commitment to advancing meaningful change. We were honoured to be hosted by Former President Bill Clinton, whose longstanding commitment to bringing leaders together around solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges continues to inspire. It was a particularly special evening for President Bio and me — an opportunity to stand together, represent Sierra Leone, and support an initiative that speaks to the importance of partnership, leadership and collective action. Moments such as these remind us that progress is strongest when leaders, institutions and communities come together with a shared purpose. I was deeply honoured to be part of this memorable evening during UNGA81, and grateful for the opportunity to continue championing initiatives that create opportunities and a better future for our people and our continent. FMB

During the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York, I was privileged to join my sister First Lady H.E. Ana Dias Lourenço of Angola and distinguished African leaders for an important high-level dialogue on Advancing Reparative Justice, Cultural Restitution and Africa’s Creative Economy Transformation. This was more than a conversation about the past. It was a conversation about Africa’s future. Africa’s cultural heritage tells the story of our people, our identities, our civilizations and our contributions to the world. For generations, precious artefacts and cultural treasures have been taken from our continent, while much of Africa’s creative wealth and intellectual contribution has not always translated into opportunities for our people. Cultural restitution is therefore not simply about the return of objects. It is about restoring history, dignity, identity and ownership, while creating pathways for future generations to learn from and build upon their heritage. Equally important is the transformation of Africa’s creative economy. Our artists, filmmakers, musicians, writers, designers, performers, artisans and young innovators possess extraordinary talent. With the right investment, infrastructure, intellectual-property protection, markets and opportunities, Africa’s creativity can become an even stronger driver of jobs, entrepreneurship and sustainable economic growth. The dialogue, including the work of AUDA-NEPAD’s African Art and Artefact Return Initiative (A3RI) and Africa Creatives, Sports and Recreation Programme (ACSAR), is an important step toward turning recognition into practical action. As we move through the 2026–2036 Decade of Reparations, Restitution and Justice, Africa must continue to shape this agenda on its own terms — ensuring that our heritage is protected, our stories are told by us, our cultural assets are valued, and our young people can build prosperous futures from the richness of who we are. I was honoured to stand alongside fellow First Ladies in support of this important continental journey. Our heritage is our identity. Our creativity is our strength. Our future is ours to shape. FMB.

What a night we had! The women of the SLPP North America came together in a beautiful spirit of sisterhood, unity, and solidarity to celebrate our great party and the important role women continue to play in its growth and development. It was a celebration not only of our political family, but also of the progress we have made in creating greater space for women to participate meaningfully in governance, leadership, and national development. When women are given the opportunity to lead, contribute, and shape decisions, our communities and our nation benefit. I was deeply honoured to stand among so many strong, committed, and inspiring women who continue to believe in the values of service, inclusion, and progress. Our strength lies in our unity, and our voices are even more powerful when we stand together. To the women of SLPP North America, thank you for your dedication, your resilience, and your unwavering commitment to our party and our beloved Sierra Leone. Let us continue to support one another, lift each other up, and create opportunities for the next generation of women to lead. One Country, One People. FMB

I am an SLPP member, with a track record of commitment, service, and loyalty to our great party. It was a true honour to stand among the remarkable women of our party as we celebrated the North America Women’s Council. Women remain a powerful force within the SLPP, contributing their voices, strength, ideas, and dedication to the continued growth of our party and our nation. I am proud to be part of this family and to celebrate the sisterhood, resilience, and leadership of our women across North America and beyond. Together, we continue to build, serve, and strengthen the values that unite us. 🇸🇱💚 One Country, One People. FMB

Yesterday, I had the honour of joining the Mandingo women’s celebration of empowerment and education as a special guest. It was a deeply meaningful occasion for me—not only because we were celebrating the achievements, strength, and potential of women, but because we were also celebrating our culture, our heritage, and the values that have shaped us as Mandingo women. I am immensely proud to be a Mandingo woman. Our culture carries a rich history of resilience, dignity, family, community, leadership, and respect for education. To see our women come together with such pride and purpose was truly inspiring. Education remains one of the greatest instruments of empowerment. When a woman is educated, she gains greater opportunities to make decisions, lead, contribute to her family and community, and help shape the future of her nation. And when we educate our girls, we are investing in generations yet to come. Yesterday was therefore more than a celebration. It was a reminder of who we are, where we come from, and the responsibility we carry to ensure that the next generation of Mandingo girls grows up knowing that their heritage is a source of strength and their dreams are worthy of pursuit. I was proud to stand among these remarkable women, celebrating our identity while embracing the future. We can honour our traditions while empowering our daughters to become educated, confident, compassionate, and courageous leaders. My heartfelt appreciation to the organisers for bringing us together and for creating a platform that celebrates Mandingo women, education, empowerment, and our beautiful culture. May we continue to lift one another, open doors for our daughters, and preserve the richness of our heritage for generations to come. Proud to be Mandingo. Proud to be a woman. Proud to celebrate our culture. And proud to stand for the empowerment and education of our girls. — FMB

During the Unstoppable Africa Dinner at the UNGA81, we had the honour of celebrating an extraordinary woman and global champion for women’s leadership, Madam Amina J. Mohammed, Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations. It was a truly special evening, as speaker after speaker shared powerful stories of her remarkable journey, her courage, her wisdom, and her unwavering commitment to advancing women and girls around the world. Her life and leadership remind us that when women rise, they create pathways for generations to come. Madam Amina has not only opened doors for women in leadership; she has helped transform the conversation about what is possible for women across Africa and the world. It was a privilege to celebrate a woman whose impact transcends borders and whose legacy will continue to inspire generations. FMB

Last night, I had the pleasure of going to support my dear brother and friend, Shadi, at the Africell UNGA81 side event in New York. Africell has been a true partner in the work we have done for women and girls in Sierra Leone. From the very first day we launched Hands Off Our Girls, Africell stood with us, believing in the vision and supporting our efforts to protect, empower and give a voice to our girls. That kind of partnership goes beyond business. It is about shared values, commitment and a genuine belief in the future of our young people. I want to sincerely thank Shadi and the entire Africell family for standing with me and my office from day one. Your continued support has helped us take the message of Hands Off Our Girls from Sierra Leone to the global stage. As we continue this journey, I look forward to strengthening our partnership and doing even more for women, girls and communities across Sierra Leone and Africa. Thank you, Africell, for standing with us. FMB

Sierra Leone Ready to Welcome West Africa and the World for WAIIS 2026 It was an honour to stand alongside His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly as he launched the countdown to the inaugural West Africa Integration and Investment Summit (WAIIS), which will take place in Freetown this November. I was proud to be there to support President Bio as Sierra Leone prepares to welcome Heads of State, investors, development partners, business leaders and other key stakeholders to our country. WAIIS is much more than a summit. It is an opportunity for Sierra Leone to position itself at the heart of West Africa’s economic and investment agenda, while opening doors for partnerships, investment and opportunities that can directly contribute to the prosperity of our people. With its focus on energy, strategic minerals, agribusiness and digital transformation, the Summit speaks directly to the future we want for Sierra Leone and our region—one driven by investment, innovation, regional cooperation, job creation and inclusive economic growth. As Sierra Leone gets ready to welcome the world to Freetown, I am confident that WAIIS will provide an important platform to showcase our country’s potential and strengthen partnerships that can translate into tangible opportunities for our people. Sierra Leone is ready. Freetown is ready. Africa is ready. FMB

Honoured Among Icons: A Moment of Gratitude and Reflection I am deeply honoured and humbled to have been recognised as an Iconic Woman of the Year at the UNGA81 Powerlist Honours in New York. To receive this recognition during the United Nations General Assembly is a privilege I accept with immense gratitude—not only as First Lady of Sierra Leone, but as a woman committed to using her voice and platform to advance the lives of women and girls, both in Sierra Leone and across Africa. What makes this moment particularly special is the privilege of being honoured alongside three remarkable women who have served their nations at the highest level: H.E. Dr. Joyce Hilda Banda, former President of the Republic of Malawi; H.E. Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, former President of the Republic of Mauritius; and H.E. Rosalía Arteaga Serrano, former President of the Republic of Ecuador. Standing in the company of such distinguished women is a reminder that leadership is not simply about the positions we hold, but about the lives we touch, the doors we open for others, and the legacy we leave behind. My own journey has always been deeply connected to the voices of women and girls. From Hands Off Our Girls and the fight against child marriage and gender-based violence, to advancing girls’ education, women’s health, empowerment and dignity, I believe that every girl deserves the opportunity to determine the course of her own life. I dedicate this recognition to the women and girls of Sierra Leone, Africa and beyond whose courage continues to inspire my work. I remain grateful to everyone who continues to believe in the power of women’s leadership and to those who walk alongside me in this journey. With gratitude, humility and renewed determination. FMB

At the Clinton Global Initiative, I had the privilege of sharing my perspective on the future we are creating for our children and the responsibility we all carry to ensure that no child is left behind in a rapidly changing world. I spoke about the importance of digital safety and the urgent need to protect our children as technology becomes an increasingly central part of their education, development, and everyday lives. But protection must go hand in hand with opportunity. Africa must not simply be a consumer of technologies, policies, and ideas developed elsewhere. We must be partners in the conversations, the planning, the innovation, the invention, and the decision-making that shape our digital future. Africa has extraordinary young talent, creativity, and ingenuity. Our young people have solutions, and they deserve to be given the opportunity to help design the future—not simply receive it. The safety of our children is a shared global responsibility. It requires governments, technology leaders, educators, parents, civil society, and young innovators to work together across borders and continents. My message at CGI was simple: Africa must have a seat at the table, our children must be protected, and collaboration must be at the heart of building a safer and more inclusive digital future. FMB