Produce Monitoring Board Recalibrates for Major Institutional Reform

The Produce Monitoring Board (PMB) has embarked on a major institutional reform initiative aimed at strengthening its effectiveness and boosting national revenue generation.

This disclosure follows a two-day strategic repositioning and recalibration retreat held at King’s View Resort in Sussex.

Harold Williams has details.

Executive Chairman of PMB, Mr. Raymond Bob Katta, explained that the retreat was intended to reposition the Board as a responsive, agile, and leading government commodities regulatory institution capable of delivering on its expansive national mandate.

The Executive Chairman explained how the PMB would review its operational methods, assess progress under its reform agenda, and adopt work plans and process frameworks aligned with current and future demands.

He observed that although Sierra Leone has commodity-specific policies for crops such as cocoa, cashew, and oil palm, the absence of a comprehensive national produce sector policy continues to limit effective coordination, regulation and the PMB’s contribution to government revenue and farmer welfare.

Mr. Katta explained that they would be strengthening core functional units such as Monitoring and Evaluation, research, project management, resource mobilization, and communications; and developing real-time performance measurement and benchmarking tools. This is what the Chairman described as the PMBs comprehensive recalibration systems, processes, and procedures, while also prioritizing institutional rebranding, increased visibility, and improved stewardship, accountability, and transparency.

Dr. Emmanuel Gaima, Principal Executive Advisor to the President for the Public Service and Head of the Public Service, said his presence reflected President Julius Maada Bio’s strong commitment to revitalizing state institutions, including PMB.

Dr. Gaima explained that beyond observing the process, he provided technical guidance to support PMB’s transformation into a more productive, agile, and strategically focused institution.

Participants at the retreat described the engagement as transformative. Mr. Charles C. Campbell, Regional Manager East, said the discussions helped expose institutional gaps while clarifying PMB’s mandate, revenue mobilization role, and service delivery responsibilities.

He said PMB will intensify farmer training on good agricultural practices to enhance productivity, quality, and revenue generation, especially for cocoa, coffee, cashew, and palm oil.

Marketing Manager, Ms. Rugiatu Favour Kanu, described the retreat as an historic milestone, noting that it was the first time staff from across the country convened for a working retreat to collectively shape the future of PMB.

The retreat represents a critical turning point if the PMB is to transform into a modern, efficient, and results-oriented institution capable of driving agricultural growth, supporting farmers, and making a meaningful contribution to national development.

Key activities undertaken during the two-day retreat focused on recalibrating PMB’s systems, processes, and procedures to enhance institutional performance, efficiency, and sustainability. The sessions were led by expert facilitators and included:

✅ Review of PMB’s mandate and institutional status, and identification of gaps – facilitated by the Lead Facilitator, Dr. Emmanuel Gaima.

✅ Strengthening Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) systems to improve performance tracking and accountability – facilitated by Mr. Tom Menjor.

✅ Upgrading Information Technology (IT) systems to enhance data management, transparency, and real-time reporting – facilitated by Dr. Kuyembeh.

✅ Reviewing Human Resource structures to better align staff capacity and performance management with strategic objectives – facilitated by Mr. Kweku Djang.

✅ Developing a robust Communication Plan to improve stakeholder engagement and institutional visibility – facilitated by Mr. Haroun Sheriff.

✅ Strengthening Resource Mobilization strategies to diversify revenue streams, reduce reliance on subventions, and reinforce corporate responsibilities – facilitated by Dr. Emmanuel Gaima.

✅ Drafting a comprehensive Operational Plan to guide the implementation of reforms – facilitated by Dr. Emmanuel Gaima.

These interventions collectively aim to promote efficiency, accountability, and responsiveness across the institution.

At the close of the retreat, departments committed to implementing the PMB Operational Plan 2026, signaling a shared resolve to translate strategy into action.

The strategic retreat marks a pivotal milestone in PMB’s transformation into a modern, efficient, and performance-driven institution positioned to drive agricultural growth, support farmers, and contribute significantly to Sierra Leone’s national development.