Plans by the leading APC Presidential Aspirant, Dr. Ibrahim Bangura to transform the country’s fortunes through the Blue Economy has gained traction among fishermen, notably among members of the Blue Economy Technical Committee. This hope of revival in the sector has received positive suggestions from the membership, which is clearly outlined in the letter below:
28th October 2025
No. 1 Ben Turay Street
Aberdeen
Freetown
+23279550982
From: Samuel Ben Turay
Position: Member of the Blue Economy Technical Committee
To: Everyone
Subject: Electing Dr. Ibrahim Bangura as President
Time: 2026 & 2028 elections
Dear Sierra Leoneans,
I request all Sierra Leoneans to rally behind Dr. Ibrahim Bangura and support his Blue Economy plans to become the next President of the country.
My fellow Sierra Leoneans, both at home and abroad, and members of the international community, I am pleased to present Dr. Ibrahim Bangura for Presidential consideration. He is a strong pillar for Sierra Leone’s future development, possessing the wisdom to capitalize on the Blue Economy.
Dr. Ibrahim Bangura’s vision, as presented in recent interviews, centers around leveraging the untapped potential of our oceans to revolutionize Sierra Leone’s economic landscape. His commitment to the Blue Economy offers a compelling path towards sustainable growth and prosperity.
Let us rally behind him as the flagbearer of the APC Party in the 2026 delegates conference and, ultimately, as the President of Sierra Leone in the 2028 elections. His leadership represents an opportunity to harness the hidden wealth of our seas, and chart a course towards a brighter future for all.
The ocean’s richness dwarfs that of the land in undiscovered mineral deposits and the vast majority of Earth’s animal biomass. This alone tells us that our sea can change our economy, creating opportunities for a better life for all Sierra Leoneans, but that can only be achieved when we choose a capacitated leader like Dr. Bangura.
As Secretary-General of the Sierra Leone Indigenous Artisanal Fishermen’s Union, and a representative of artisanal fisheries on the Blue Economy Technical Committee, I understand this potential deeply. That is why I am encouraging everyone to favor the man, whose future administration aims to prioritize sustainable fishing practices, invest in marine research, and work to attract investment for the development of our marine mineral resources, while ensuring a fair distribution of benefits and protecting our environment.
I urge you again, the people of Sierra Leone, to support his vision for a prosperous future powered by the ocean. Let us join him in building a better Sierra Leone for all.
One of the Country’s strengths to boost our economy, promote self-reliance, reduce immigration and create more jobs, is our Ocean, which is blessed with wealth: and the country needs to support Dr. Bangura for his capacity to tap into the richness of the sea for sustainable growth after President Maada Bio. So far, the SLPP led government has already laid the foundation, with the establishment of the Blue Economy Secretariat under the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoDEP). The secretariat, through the Technical Committee, has already developed three important documents, such as the Blue Economy Strategic Framework, the Communication strategy and National Action Plan.
Among the over 20 aspirants contesting for the flagbearer position under the APC Party, Dr. Ibrahim Bangura’s vision for economic diversification is definitely on track, as it matches both the country’s economic challenges and the international community’s vision.
Indeed, Dr. Bangura’s aim in protecting and promoting the ocean for sustainable development is enough to place him at the top of the list of all other aspirants.
A brief overview of the artisanal fisheries sector in Sierra Leone:
- There are 12,000 fishing canoes.
- There are 7 coastal districts.
- There are over 640 landing sites, from Kiragba-Solima.
- There were 5,320 smoking ovens (Bandas).
- Artisanal fishing alone has provided over 500,000 jobs in the country.
Some issues that I would like to bring to the attention of Dr. Ibrahim Bangura for consideration as a stakeholder in the artisanal sector are:
- Bad fishing methods (the use of monofilament nets),
- The daily cutting of mangroves for smoking fish,
- Lack of toilet facilities across coastal communities,
- The daily cutting of trees for canoe construction,
- Dumping of waste in the sea,
- Building along the shoreline to construct dwellings,
- Lack of awareness among residents within coastal and riverine communities,
- Illegal sand mining,
- Overfishing,
- Environmental damage related to the ocean’s exploitation, among the many.
The aim of a blue economy secretariat is to manage and coordinate the sustainable development of a nation’s or region’s ocean and water resources to achieve economic growth, social inclusion, and environmental protection. This involves diversifying the economy, creating jobs, improving livelihoods, and enhancing climate resilience, while also preserving biodiversity and ensuring the responsible management of marine ecosystems.
Thank you for your consideration. I hope you find this letter helpful.
Yours sincerely,
Samuel Ben Turay
Blue Economy Technical Committee Member, and
Secretary General of Sierra Leone Indigenous Artisanal Fishermen’s Union