NEW YEAR’S DAY PRESIDENTIAL BROADCAST 2025 BY H.E DR JULIUS MAADA BIO, PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE
FELLOW SIERRA LEONEANS,
1. As we step into this brand New Year, I bring you greetings with a heart full of hope, gratitude, and determination.
2. The dawn of a New Year is an opportunity to reflect, reimagine, and recommit ourselves to the ideals that bind us as a nation and to work towards building a peaceful and prosperous Land That We Love, Sierra Leone.
3. As alluded to in my Christmas Day message, the past year has brought its share of challenges.
4. But it also served as a testament to our unwavering spirit as Sierra Leoneans. A spirit that we can be proud of and draw confidence from.
5. From the bustling streets of Freetown and Makeni to the serene villages of Falaba and Bonthe District, from the classrooms where our children learn to the fields where our farmers toil, your efforts are the cornerstone of our nation’s progress.
6. Together, we can overcome any challenge that confronts us as a nation.
FELLOW SIERRA LEONEANS,
7. This year, 2025, is a time for bold action.
8. My Government is committed to turning challenges into opportunities and visions into reality.
9. Our nation stands at a critical moment in our developmental journey, and our choices today will determine the Sierra Leone we build for tomorrow.
10. My Government is fully committed to diligently implementing the Medium-Term National Development Plan 2024-2030 for irreversible progress for our country, particularly through the BIG FIVE GAME-CHANGERS.
11. In the year ahead, we will redouble our efforts to create jobs, support local businesses, and attract investments that will drive sustainable economic growth and ensure a brighter future for all.
12. As a Government, our primary focus is on growing the economy to enhance the quality of life of every citizen, ensuring that no one is left behind in our journey of progress.
13. We will continue to strive to reduce inflation to lower double digits and single digits in future.
14. With the confidence of international partners, we will continue to mitigate the negative impacts of the global economic headwinds on our local economy to maintain its growth trajectory.
15. We will continue to pay salaries regularly, keep food and fuel on the market at reasonable prices, increase agricultural productivity, and improve the contribution of the mining sector and manufacturing to our GDP.
16. We will scale up the implementation of our flagship FEED SALONE Programme to increase and diversify value chains, reduce the food import bill and earn improved livelihoods from farming.
FELLOW CITIZENS,
17. Meeting our country’s growing energy demand will be a top priority in 2025.
18. We will continue to work on various initiatives to improve our energy mix to power our homes and industries.
19. To accelerate our country’s development, we will actively seek financing and technical partnerships for renewable or clean energy investments.
20. Our well-deserved US$480 million MCC Compact is a great step in the right direction to improve our energy access and reliability of supply to households, businesses, and social institutions in Sierra Leone.
FELLOW SIERRA LEONEANS,
21. There is no denying that the adverse impacts of Climate Change are at our doorsteps.
22. Changes in rainfall and temperature, increased risks of droughts and floods, and an increase in sea level affect our nation’s agriculture, water, energy, infrastructure, and coastal areas.
23. As a Government, we will work decisively to mitigate the threats of Climate Change and adapt to our evolving realities.
24. Our environment is a treasure that we must protect.
25. From combating deforestation to investing in renewable energy, Sierra Leone will contribute to addressing the global climate crisis.
26. We owe it to future generations to safeguard our lands, waters, and biodiversity.
27. We will review and update Sierra Leone’s Nationally Determined Contributions and develop a comprehensive Strategic Plan for Climate Change for 2025-2030.
28. We will also strengthen our collaboration with our national and international partners to mobilise climate financing to support climate-related economic development activities.
FELLOWS SIERRA LEONEANS,
29. We have made great strides in improving access to education and are recognised globally for our strides in advancing Foundational Learning.
30. This year, we will double down on Quality Education, reaffirming our commitment to providing a solid foundation for our nation’s future.
31. We will invest more in equipping our teachers, modernising our schools, and integrating technology into our classrooms.
32. With renewed zest, our youth ─ the heartbeat of our nation, will find more pathways to education, skills training, and entrepreneurship.
33. We will continue to strengthen the legal and regulatory framework to foster the enabling environment for creating jobs in agriculture, manufacturing, mining, fisheries, tourism, construction, entrepreneurship, and the service sector.
34. We are determined to ensure that every Sierra Leonean has the chance to contribute meaningfully to our shared prosperity.
FELLOW SIERRA LEONEANS,
35. The health of our people is the wealth of our nation.
36. This year, we will expand access to healthcare services, strengthen our health systems, and continue to prioritise maternal and child health.
37. No mother should fear giving birth, and no child should be denied the chance to thrive.
38. My Government will continue to uphold the Constitution by protecting the rights of every citizen and building a nation where UNITY, FREEDOM and JUSTICE prevail for every Sierra Leonean.
39. In the spirit of national unity, let us remember that our diversity is our strength.
40. Tribal, regional, or political differences must never divide us.
41. As a people, we must work together, respect one another, and hold firm to peace and democracy.
42. Good governance is the bedrock of development.
43. In this New Year, my Government will continue to uphold transparency, fight corruption, and ensure that public resources benefit all Sierra Leoneans.
44. We will continue to strengthen our institutions and deepen our democracy.
45. However, all these will remain in the realm of imagination if we do not lay a solid foundation backed by data for implementing these noble plans.
46. To this end, and in accordance with the decennial Census calendar, we shall hold the Nationwide Population and Housing Census.
47. The data from this Census will guide the implementation of various development programs, primarily the current National Development Plan and our efforts to achieve the global Sustainable Development Goals.
48. This Census will provide reliable baseline data to assess the impact of our Government’s critical development interventions.
49. We can also track progress and identify challenges crucial to our National Development Agenda.
FELLOW SIERRA LEONEANS,
50. My Government has made great strides in fostering stronger international cooperation with our regional and global partners.
51. Sierra Leone plays a major international role in fostering global peace and security and promoting cooperation on regional and global issues.
52. I hope Sierra Leone will deepen development cooperation, bilateral trade, and bilateral technical support in 2025 and beyond to help create prosperity and opportunity for our people.
FELLOW CITIZENS,
53. As your President, I am deeply honoured to lead this journey toward sustainable progress. But leadership is a partnership.
54. I call on every Sierra Leonean to join hands in building the Sierra Leone we deserve.
55. Your role is important and integral to our nation’s progress.
56. Let us strive for excellence, embrace innovation, and remain steadfast in our belief in the future.
57. Together, we have the potential for collective success that can transform our nation.
58. Together, we will make 2025 a year to remember — a year when Sierra Leone’s story of hope and success inspires the world.
59. I do not promise that the road ahead will be easy, but with determination, unity, and hard work, we will rise and confront challenges head-on.
60. May this year bring peace to our homes, progress to our communities, and prosperity to our nation.
61. I wish every Sierra Leonean at home and abroad a HAPPY NEW YEAR.
62. May God bless you, and may God bless the Republic of Sierra Leone.
©️Office of the Press Secretary, State House.
