By Amara Thoronka

Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, in a recent interview with Le Point – France top news magazine, explained the transformative rebranding image of Sierra Leone since the end of the eleven-year bloody civil conflict about 22 years ago; while emphasizing developments under the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio.

Dr Jalloh noted that Sierra Leone is on a development trajectory, citing agreement with the United States Government to revamp Sierra Leone’s energy sector.

“Since 2018, the country has undergone significant changes. We have improved access to water and energy. We have just signed a cooperation agreement with the U.S. development agency to accelerate our projects in the field of renewable energy,” he said.

He also mentioned reforms in the mining sector which he said are tailored toward better utilizing the nation’s minerals.

Speaking on education, VP Juldeh Jalloh said, “In the educational field, we have recruited more teachers, made primary and secondary education free, and facilitated access to nursery schools outside the capital which has enabled us to increase the number of children enrolled in school.”

The Vice President also highlighted gains of the President Bio government in protecting and empowering women and girls.

“We recently passed a law to penalize child marriage. Also, for the first time in the country’s history, we have passed a law in favour of gender equality in politics. A new law imposes a quota of 30% of elective and appointive positions for women. Today, our National Assembly has more than 30% women,” Sierra Leone’s Vice President explained.

Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh spoke on other socio-economic, political, environmental and legal transformations that have taken place under the current political dispensation, thereby rebranding the country from a war-torn nation to a peaceful progressing one.