6 years ago, on Nov 20th, 2019, I took the oath of office as a cabinet minister in the Republic of Sierra Leone. On that same day (November 20th is World Children’s Day), as Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, I made a commitment that I will champion RADICAL INCLUSION. I engaged President Bio that day on removing the ban on pregnant girls from attending school and promised him I would listen to everyone voice across Sierra Leone. The rest is a beautiful history.

We removed the ban less than 1 year later, we passed a new law on education 4 years later, and brought education to communities and people who were historically marginalized all over Sierra Leone.

We made education in Sierra Leone radically inclusive. It means we have over 2000% of learners with disabilities today, basic education in every chiefdom, exam centers in every chiefdom, schools everywhere across Sierra Leone and more. My Ministry won the Presidential Best Ministry Award and I won the World Best Minister award during my tome at MBSSE. Two years ago, I left for a higher role, now as Chief Minister.

I confess that I was nervous 6 years ago. But looking back now, I am grateful to President Bio for believing in me and giving me the ultimate opportunity in my life – to serve the people of Sierra Leone in a truly radically inclusive way – ensuring that every person is given an equal opportunity to reach their highest potential no matter their background, religion, physical or cognitive ability, gender, tribe or socio economic status.

With a best selling book by the same title, an Act of Parliament and a champion in President Bio, RADICAL INCLUSION is now a MOVEMENT of changemakers working for a more just society.

I was a freshman at Harvard nearly 20 years ago. I had some ideas with friends to distribute mosquito nets in Sierra Leone. So we went to the Roll Back Malaria website, got an email and sent the CEO and her team a note. Dr Boi-Betty Udom replied. She and I called. She emailed us and she linked us to those who could help (she told me she’s Sierra Leonean). I was happy.

Through Global Minimum Inc, we procured mosquito nets and distributed nets to over 30,000 people. We worked with WHO, UNICEF and the Government of Sierra Leone- all thanks to a senior executive replying to a set of teenagers. We had tremendous impact that has continued till today.

Over the weekend (actually, yesterday), I got a lovely message. Dr Udom was in town and could meet. So of course I said yes.

And today, she came to my office with a small notebook of issues she thought I could address – from education to roads. Some I did in real time and others, I will later.

As we sat in my office today I kept wondering- when she replied to a teenage boy back then, did she ever imagine her email would change my life? And that, today, I could change her life (well by addressing the issues she raised)? This is the power of service and radical inclusion- helping everyone reach their fullest potential. When we do, together #WeWillDeliver a more just society.

As part of the reaffirmation of government’s commitment to Koindu/Yenga Kissi Community, I led a delegation of a dozen chiefs, 5 ministers, 6 members of parliament, 1 private sector partner and several other leaders to Koindu town.

During the dialogue, we listened to the people’s voices and cries for peace and development.

I used the opportunity to update stakeholders on diplomatic efforts on Yenga. We responded to their request for an ambulance, which the Minister of Health promised. With the support of the Minister of Communication Salima Sia Bah- herself, an indigene of Koindu, we launched a new 4G QCell site, announced a multi year scholarship program, and provided digital devices for community leaders. On behalf of H.E. President Bio, I communicated the imminent award of the contract for the Buedu-Koindu road (the Kailahun-Buedu axis will be completed by December 2025.) Thanking the host MP, I committed to financing several development projects. Together #WeAreDelivering

This is #RadicalInclusion

After traveling for 20,000km from Tokyo, Japan to Freetown, Sierra Leone for 30 hrs yesterday, I touched down in Crab Town, Aberdeen, this afternoon. A highly dense informal settlement, I wanted to understand the challenges faced by the youth, women, and the entire community. Thank you, Kracktwist and the entire community, for taking me around (I gave them half a day notice). They want better roads, safer water and sanitation, and markets but beyond that, until you walk these muddy paths, high-five 6 year olds and chat with the youth, you’ll miss the real issues. Here are two takeaways.

First, it’s easy and very inappropriate for the Mayor of Freetown to share a satellite image looking down on these communities to castigate central government on loss of mangroves. When you truly listen to the people, you learn that a lot of the dirt that piles up in these neighborhoods come from the wealthy homes in the Wilkinson Rd, Spur Road, etc. When the City Council fails on its mandate, these informal communities suffer most (the waste is perrier bottles and plastic water bottles, among others). We must do better with city planning, waste management, and providing services for our fellow citizens even as we protect our environment. It’s on all of us- including themselves, to follow government regulations.

Second, these communities are filled with citizens who, like many of us, are contributing to the economy actively. I spoke to some waste metal workers who had a message for the government about a recent policy preventing the export of scrap metals. Yes, we want to support our local iron rod industry, but we should protect these workers so they also get value for their labor. It may not be at the same price as they did when they exported the scrap, but it must not be so low that they don’t wish to comply.

Several people were wondering about my security. How do I get to walk on these communities so close to the people with no armed bodyguards? Firstly, Sierra Leone is safe (thanks to President Bio), and I felt very much protected by the youth themselves. My late uncle Dr J.C Boima and my mentor, 95-year old Dr Sama Banya- both former ministers of government, told me that the day one feels a need to protect him or herself from the ordinary citizen, then they must leave government. I agree. The day I feel unsafe among young people in Sierra Leone is the day I will stop being a politician.

These are the people who make me believe that together #WeWillDeliver. One Country. One People!

One day, you are eating sushi with Presidents and Prime Ministers, next day, you are walking in informal settlements with youth. I love it! That’s the power of RADICAL INCLUSION!