The Hon. Minister of Public Administration and Political Affairs (MoPAPA), Amara Kallon, has once again reaffirmed the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to developing a robust and accountable public sector master plan. A key component of this plan is a pillar focused on wages, compensation, and incentives, which the Wages and Compensation Commission (WCC) will implement.
Addressing WCC representatives during a meeting at his Youyi Building office, Minister Kallon stressed that this initiative goes beyond salary concerns, aiming to create an enabling environment for civil servants to thrive, including access to housing. He noted that WCC plays a crucial role in fulfilling one of the critical objectives of the Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP), particularly in harmonising the public sector’s salary system.
Minister Kallon emphasised MoPAPA’s mission to reshape public administration by fostering merit-based employment and promotion within the civil service, reducing the politicisation of jobs, and
ensuring fair recruitment processes. He stated, “We want to shift the mindset that people can only benefit from government jobs through political affiliations, especially during elections. This reform ensures that job opportunities are based on qualifications and merit.”
The minister highlighted public administration education’s importance in fostering a more transparent and efficient civil service. “MoPAPA is committed to creating a framework for recruitment, promotion, transfers, and retirements while working closely with institutions like the Public Service Commission (PSC) and the Human Resource Management Office (HRMO) to implement these reforms,” he added.
Dr Alpha Osman Timbo, Chairman of WCC, commended MoPAPA for its support, noting that WCC is responsible for regularly reporting to the Ministry and the Ministry of Employment, Labour, and Social Security. He reminded the audience that the WCC was established by an Act of Parliament in 2023, signed by President Dr Julius Maada Bio, with the mandate t
o oversee wages and compensation for all public sector employees and ensure equity within the public sector pay system.
Dr Timbo emphasised that the WCC has the authority to regulate its procedures and plan its activities, adding that today’s meeting with MoPAPA was critical to the success of the Commission’s work. He also highlighted WCC’s efforts to review legal frameworks and ensure that the terms and conditions of service for public sector employees are competitive and fair.
David WS Banya, CEO of WCC, elaborated on the Commission’s role in reviewing civil service terms and conditions, promoting employee performance, and addressing challenges, including funding constraints and limited staff.
The session ended with a cross-section of MoPAPA and Public Sector Reform Unit (PSRU) officials contributing questions, suggestions, and commendations to the ongoing efforts to reform the public sector.
Source: Sierra Leone News Agency