By Guma Communications Unit
President Julius Maada Bio has on Tuesday 8th July 2025 officially launched the ambitious Multi-Phase Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Program, a landmark initiative aimed at revolutionizing access to clean water and sanitation across Sierra Leone at the Bintumani International Conference Center in Freetown.
The President, speaking passionately at the ceremony, reflected on his childhood struggles with water scarcity, emphasizing the importance of water as a fundamental right and a catalyst for national progress.
“Water is not just life—it’s progress, dignity and everything,” President Bio declared. “This is a reality I am determined that no other child in Sierra Leone should endure.”
The multi-phase program, supported by the World Bank, aims to reach four million people by 2035, with a target of achieving 90% coverage in water, sanitation, and hygiene services. President Bio emphasized that the initiative goes beyond infrastructure — it is about securing Sierra Leone’s future by protecting vital water catchment areas from illegal construction and ensuring sustainable water resource management.
“Water is a symbol of justice, a foundation of peace, and a building block of resilience,” he said, warning against illegal activities threatening vital water sources, including protected lands around the Guma catchment areas and other water resources.
The President expressed gratitude to international partners, especially the World Bank, and praised local government and civil society for their roles in this transformative effort. “This is not politics. This is about survival,” he emphasized, calling on all Sierra Leoneans to actively participate in safeguarding water resources and ensuring the success of the program.
