President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio, discusses education during an interview with AFP. The president, who is running for reelection this year, has put education as a priority for his government, allocating 22% of the budget towards it. “We have provided free access for every child to go to school,” says Bio, “whether you are rich or poor, we are able to provide you with the services”. Diamond-rich Sierra Leone is one of the poorest countries in the world, still recovering from a brutal 1991-2002 civil war and the 2014-2016 West Africa Ebola epidemic. SOUNDBITES