By Mariama Bundu
Sierra Leone’s key electoral and media oversight institutions are grappling with structural weaknesses, according to four Management and Functional Review Reports received by Chief Minister David Sengeh recently.
The reports cover the Political Parties Registration Commission (PPRC), Independent Police Complaint Board (IPCB), Independent Media Commission (IMC), and Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC).
The studies, conducted by the Public Sector Reform Unit (PSRU), revealed gaps including weak salary structures, absence of clear job descriptions, lack of career progression, and insufficient supporting policies.
The findings highlight longstanding inefficiencies that have hindered these institutions from fully delivering on their mandates.
Chief Minister Sengeh stressed that the reports signal a collective effort to strengthen governance, saying,
“We will present these reports to the Steering Committee, and PSRU will develop an implementation matrix and put together a change management team to commence implementation. Together, we will deliver.”
For PPRC, the report recommended creating a legal department, digitizing political party registration procedures, strengthening enforcement of laws, and reconstituting the board.
IMC, IPCB, and SLBC were found to lack structured systems to support staff performance and operational efficiency.
PSRU Director Sulaiman Phoray Musa assured continued collaboration with the affected agencies to drive the reforms, while Minister of Public Administration and Political Affairs, Amara Kallon, stressed that revamping public service architecture is a national priority.
The tripartite secretariat expressed optimism that the implementation of these recommendations will improve transparency, strengthen institutional capacity, and satisfy both local and international stakeholders monitoring the reform process.
