By Rachel Horner and Pel Koroma
Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio, Firstlady Fatima Bio and other government ministers are in the US to attend the UN General Assembly. President Bio also interacted with US government officials and some Sierra Leoneans in Boston and will do same later this month in Washington DC.
In Boston, Massachusetts, President Julius Maada Bio visited the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum to learn more about the library’s educational program, according to Sierra Leone’s Diaspora Affairs Co-Ordinator Rachel Horner. The John F. Kennedy Library was built in 1979 to showcase one of President Kennedy’s legacies to the world. The president and entourage also met with the Sierra Leone community in Boston and attended a mass at Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston.
In New York, President Julius Maada Bio submitted to this year’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Moment, convened by the Secretary-General of the United Nations, his country’s inspiring SDG actions despite the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.
He said although the unprecedented challenges of COVID-19 had further exposed nations to heightened vulnerabilities they also pushed them to rethink delivery on the SDGs, reiterating the call for partnerships and cooperation to deliver on the targets in order to achieve a secure world where no one was left behind.Bio said his SDG plan prioritizes Human Capital Development, and has identified SDG4 (quality education) and SDG16 (peace, justice, and strong institutions) as Accelerator Goals.
First lady Fatima Bio on Monday 20th September 2021 attended the official book launch ‘My travels to Africa’ of Emine Erdogan, First lady of Turkey at the Turkish house in the City. The book encompasses the experiences of the First Lady of Turkey in the African continent, while key parts of the book are expected to be used to support women and children in need, across the African continent.
Turkish First lady Emine Erdogan has travelled to several African countries like Algeria, Zambia, Chad, Ivory Coast, Somalia, and is expected to visit Sierra Leone in the near future. President Julius Maada Bio is expected to address the UN General Assembly on Wednesday September, 22nd.
Firstlady Fatima Bio in New York