The Minister of Public Administration and Political Affairs, Amara Kallon, has unveiled a series of major reforms aimed at modernizing and strengthening Sierra Leone’s public sector
Speaking recently, Minister Kallon announced the development of the country’s first-ever Public Service Policy and Act, which will coordinate and improve the functioning of the public service. He said a new chapter on the Public Service will also be included in the upcoming national constitution, with the Public Service Act expected to be finalized by the end of 2025.
As part of the digital transformation agenda, the Ministry has signed an agreement with Humnce, a local IT company, to develop a digital Human Resource Hub. This new system will automate key HR functions such as staff attendance, performance appraisals, transfers, and promotions—replacing manual processes with a more efficient, transparent, and accountable digital platform.
In a major welfare move, Minister Kallon revealed plans to provide low-cost housing and electric vehicles for public servants. The government has signed an MoU with the Economic and Commercial Counseling Center of the Sierra Leone Embassy in Guangzhou, China (ECCE-G) to deliver these benefits on a loan basis. He said the initiative reflects President Julius Maada Bio’s strong commitment to improving the working and living conditions of civil servants.
Additionally, Sierra Leone is set to host over 700 Human Resource professionals and experts from across Africa and the Global South. The international HR conference will take place at the Bintumani Conference Center in Freetown from 4th to 6th November 2025.
The Minister concluded by stressing that these reforms are key to building a professional and motivated public service capable of delivering quality services to citizens.
The Chief’s Diary: Cassava Value Chain Project in my 37-acre Community Farm
Nearly 18 months ago, I worked with the local authorities and citizens of Wombay and nearby villages in Pujehun to plant a 37-acre cassava farm. We paid every laborer and provided other welfare support for the community who partnered with us on the farm.
We embraced human capital development. One of the farm managers – now a student at Njala University (and supported by our farming) – joined me in Kigali last year at an agricultural conference to gain more experience.
We provided machines and tools to support the work, and we made a commitment that together #WeWillDeliver.
Today, with several Paramount Chiefs, town chiefs, stakeholders in the community, youth abd women, we started the harvesting and processing of our cassava farm. I haven’t seen cassava roots as big as what I uprooted today (no joke, I hurt my back trying to lift one harvested tuber).
When President Bio said Big Five and Feed Salone, he didn’t mean he would feed Sierra Leone by himself. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security developed policies focused on economic development, value addition, food processing, etc. We listened and are implementing them.
When President Bio said he would create 500,000 jobs, he didn’t suggest they all had to work in formal settings from one location. We heard him and created jobs for hundreds of community youth and women in agriculture (100 acres swamp rice production and 37-acre cassava farm to full-scale processing). By James Conteh
