By Abdoulie John
Sierra Leone’s Fatima Maada Bio said that First Ladies have an obligation to tell the truth to government on the plight of women and children.
“I am just using my position as a First Lady to bring awareness on issues related to women and children, but also to be the voice of the voiceless. I am free to tell gov’t this is what is going on,” Mrs. Bio told reporters shortly after visiting the Edwards Francis Small Teaching Hospital’s pediatric unit on Wednesday.
She was accompanied by her Gambian counterpart Fatoumata Bah-Barrow to tour the clinic. Mrs presented donations to pediatric unit patients.
She acknowledged the good work that Fatoumata Bah-Barrow Foundation has been doing in the area of health. Mrs. Bio added that it is very important for First Ladies to be telling the truth to authorities.
“That’s why the First Lady should be the people’s First Lady and stand by them. You have to be able to relay the people concerns to your government,” she added.
She further stated that not every President has the luck to have good people around him. “As a wife you should make sure that your husband delivers on promises and succeeds in his mission,” she said.
The Chief Medical Director said the two First Ladies have shown their true commitment to supporting children and women. “The people who do not forget the weak, are real people,” Dr. Samateh said.
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