The Minister of Public Administration and Political Affairs (MoPAPA), Hon. Amara Kallon, addressed critical concerns regarding the ministry’s mandate during the ongoing Budget Hearing session at the Ministry of Finance. He emphasized that the ministry’s role is to fill gaps within the Public Service Commission (PSC), Human Resource Management Office (HRMO), and the Public Sector Reform Unit (PSRU), among others.

Minister Kallon dispelled the misconception of MoPAPA’s transformative role, highlighting its evolution from the Ministry of Political and Public Affairs to its current form. He outlined the ministry’s primary objectives 2024, reaffirming his unwavering commitment to developing a National Public Service Transformative Strategy, mission, vision, and mandates and reactivating the Public Service Steering Committee. These initiatives are supported by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) funding.

The Minister also noted that MoPAPA has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOEgypt’s Egypt’s Centr
al Agency for Organization and Administration for institutional strengthening and knowledge exchange. Additionally, a symposium on public sector reform was held in partnership with the PSRU to gather public input on restructuring the public service.

He also highlighted the ministry’s efforts to open its doors to interns through the National Youth Service (NYS) Programme, emphasizing the importance of developing the next generation of leaders.

Despite these strides, the Minister acknowledged the ministry’s challenges, including limited office space, insufficient financial resources, and a need for essential tools such as computers and printers. He stressed the importance of rebranding the ministry and collaborating with the Ministry of Information and Civic Education to implement a digitalization framework for public service, showing his understanding of the situation and his determination to overcome these obstacles.

MoPAPA is positioned as a critical player in Sierra Leone’s strategic framework for 2024-2
030 and one of the five Game changers for socioeconomic transformation and development.

Source: Sierra Leone News Agency