By Sallieu S. Kanu
Freetown, June 2, 2026 — Sierra Leone’s First Lady, Fatima Maada Bio, has officially handed over agricultural food-processing equipment to women farmers and agro-processors across the country, reinforcing her commitment to empowering women in agriculture and strengthening food security.
The handover ceremony, held at her office, follows months of engagement with the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA), which responded positively to her appeal for support to hardworking women in agriculture. Nationwide consultations were conducted to identify beneficiaries most in need of the equipment.
Speaking at the event, the First Lady emphasized that supporting women in agriculture remains central to her vision, particularly as it complements the government’s flagship Feed Salone initiative championed by President Julius Maada Bio. “Empowering women with the right tools and opportunities is critical to strengthening food security, increasing productivity, and improving livelihoods across our nation,” she stated.
She extended her appreciation to TIKA for the generous partnership, noting that the provision of food-processing machines will make a meaningful difference in the lives of many women and their communities.