The Ministry of Public Administration and Political Affairs (MoPAPA), under the leadership of Hon. Amara Kallon, reaffirmed its commitment to comprehensive public sector reforms during a high-level meeting with representatives from The Commonwealth and other esteemed public administration institutions. The discussions centered on the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to revitalize the public service and enhance accountability mechanisms.
Hon. Kallon emphasized that performance management lies at the heart of MoPAPA’s agenda, which aims to create a more transparent and accountable public service. He noted that the engagement with The Commonwealth is a critical step in “adding value to the work of the Ministry” and strengthening its mandate.
In his address, the Minister revealed plans to validate and launch a comprehensive public sector strategy by the end of October 2024. This strategy will provide clear policy directives and actionable frameworks for the future of public administration in Sierra Leone. He also an
nounced ongoing efforts to develop a Public Service Act, along with related policies and regulations, marking a significant milestone in the country’s administrative reform.
“We are providing political and strategic leadership to overhaul the public service, in line with Pillar 5 of the Big 5 Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) 2024-2030, under President Julius Maada Bio’s New Direction administration,” Hon. Kallon stated.
The Minister outlined MoPAPA’s holistic approach to reform, focusing on eight key areas, including structural realignment of public service mandates, human resource management, workforce planning, public sector coordination, e-governance, gender and social inclusion, and citizen engagement.
He assured stakeholders that MoPAPA is working closely with the Public Service Reform Unit (PSRU) and other technical teams to ensure the implementation of reforms and adherence to compliance standards. The validation ceremony for the Public Service strategy will involve all relevant institu
tions, with specific areas such as performance management, human resources, and gender issues overseen by respective agencies, including the Human Resource Management Office (HRMO), Public Service Commission (PSC), and the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs.
Deputy Minister of MoPAPA, Philip T. Tondoneh, acknowledged longstanding challenges in the public service, particularly the lack of resources. He underscored the Ministry’s commitment to overcoming these obstacles through strategic reforms.
Dunstan Maina, Public Administration Advisor at The Commonwealth’s Public Sector Governance Unit, expressed his appreciation for the depth of knowledge displayed by Sierra Leone’s public administration leaders. He reiterated The Commonwealth’s dedication to capacity building and pledged continued collaboration with local institutions. Maina also called for more excellent gender representation in leadership roles within the public service.
Other speakers included the Director General of HRMO, the Secretary to
Cabinet and Head of Civil Service, the Chairman of the PSC, the Director General of Performance Management and Service Delivery at State House, and the Director of PSRU, all of whom echoed the importance of the reforms and pledged their support for the Ministry’s efforts.
Source: Sierra Leone News Agency