By Hassan Osman Kargbo
In a heartfelt show of support for his alma mater, St. Edward’s Secondary School, the Director General of the Sierra Leone Ports and Harbour Authority (SLPHA), Mr. Yankuba Askia Bio, has purchased 500 tickets for students and staff to attend the much-anticipated Private School vs. Government School event.
The inaugural event is set to take place on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the Family Kingdom in Aberdeen, Freetown.
This commendable gesture by Mr. Bio not only demonstrates his strong commitment to youth empowerment but also underscores his enduring loyalty and dedication to St. Edward’s Secondary School, one of the most prestigious government schools in Sierra Leone.
The Private School Vs. Government School event is a first-of-its-kind showcase designed to bring together school-going pupils from across the country in a creative and competitive environment. Participants will display their skills and talents in a variety of areas including Cypher (rap and spoken word poetry), debate, quiz competitions, and a beauty pageant—all aimed at fostering confidence, unity, and intellectual exchange among Sierra Leone’s youth.
Speaking on his contribution, Mr. Bio expressed how proud he is to be an old Edwardian, and emphasized the importance of ensuring that students from his former school are well-represented at the event.
“I believe in giving back to the institutions that shaped me,” Mr. Bio said. “St. Edward’s was instrumental in laying the foundation for who I am today; and this is just one way I can show my appreciation and help the next generation of Edwardians to participate in such an inspiring initiative.”
He went on to call upon fellow alumni, stakeholders, philanthropists, and community leaders across Sierra Leone to extend support to students who may wish to attend the event but are financially constrained.
“There are many young people with incredible talent who may not have the means to even attend such an event, let alone participate,” he said. “We need to do more to give them platforms where their voices and talents can be heard and appreciated. Investing in youth is investing in Sierra Leone’s future.”
The 500 tickets will ensure a strong turnout of Edwardians at the event, boosting morale and providing encouragement to student participants. Teachers and school administrators have also welcomed the move, praising Mr. Bio for his leadership and continued engagement with the education sector.
“This is not just about tickets,” said a teacher at St. Edward’s. “This is about motivation, visibility, and giving our students the exposure and inspiration they need. We’re grateful for Mr. Bio’s support.”
Organizers of the Private vs. Government School competition have described the event as a platform for discovering raw talent and promoting inter-school collaboration through healthy competition. They say the ultimate goal is to celebrate diversity and excellence in Sierra Leone’s educational landscape.
With excitement building ahead of the April 21 showdown, schools from across Freetown are gearing up for an unforgettable day of expression, performance, and unity.
For St. Edward’s Secondary School, thanks to Mr. Bio’s generosity, the red, white, and green colors of the school will be well-represented in the stands, cheering on their own and standing tall among peers.
As the event promises to be a memorable one, many hope Mr. Bio’s example will inspire more Sierra Leoneans, especially successful professionals and former students, to support their alma maters and invest in opportunities for youth development.
In a country where educational support and youth engagement remain critical to national progress, gestures like this highlight how individual action can contribute meaningfully to collective transformation.
Sierra Leone Signs Landmark Deal for Digital HR Hub
By Hassan Osman Kargbo
In a bold move to modernize its public service delivery, the Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Public Administration and Political Affairs (MoPAPA), has officially signed a landmark contract with HUMNCE.LLC, a local digital technology company, for the development of a groundbreaking digital Human Resource (HR) Hub.
The signing ceremony took place on Friday, April 11, 2025, at the Office of the minister Amara Kallon on the 9th Floor of the Youyi Building, Brookfields- Freetown. The event was witnessed by senior government officials, including the Minister of Communications, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), members of the media, and other dignitaries.
Describing the HR Hub as both a novelty and a milestone, minister Amara Kallon underscored the transformative power of digital technology in public administration, emphasizing that the new platform represents a historic shift in the country’s approach to managing human resources within the public service.
“From colonization, through a long civil conflict, military coups, and finally democratic transitions, our public service has endured countless challenges,” Minister Kallon said. “Today marks a turning point as we embrace a future driven by digital solutions to ensure greater transparency, efficiency, and professionalism in our civil service.”
Minister Kallon linked the initiative to Agenda 2063 of the African Union, which prioritizes digital transformation across member states.
He highlighted President Julius Maada Bio’s commitment to leveraging digital technology to cut costs, improve service delivery, and advance national development goals.
“This digital HR Hub is a direct reflection of that vision,” Kallon added. “It will eliminate the outdated manual HR systems that are prone to human error and inefficiencies, replacing them with a smarter, faster, and more transparent system.”
The platform is expected to handle key human resource functions such as recruitment, performance tracking through the Individual Performance Appraisal System (IPAS), promotions, and staff transfers. It will also streamline such processes in real-time, allowing for better data management and decision-making.
MoPAPA will serve as the administrative lead for the project, while MCTI will take the technical implementation role. The project is funded by the Ministry of Finance and will be executed by HUMNCE.LLC.
CEO of HUMNCE.LLC, Alex K. Harding, expressed enthusiasm about the project’s potential impact. “We are proud to be part of this pioneering initiative,” he said. “We believe this platform will not only revolutionize public service management in Sierra Leone but will also position the country as a model for digital transformation across Africa.”
Harding further noted that the platform could attract interest from the private sector, expanding its impact beyond government operations.
Before full rollout, a technical agreement will be signed between HUMNCE.LLC and MCTI, detailing the features of the digital HR Hub. The system will then be implemented gradually, ministry by ministry, allowing for fine-tuning and adjustment during the pilot phase.
Minister Kallon concluded by pointing out that the HR Hub is just one part of a larger vision to digitalize government services—from passport issuance and national ID registration to driver’s license applications—making them more accessible and efficient for citizens.
The digital HR Hub initiative is being hailed as a major leap forward in Sierra Leone’s public sector reform and is expected to significantly enhance governance, accountability, and citizen satisfaction in the years ahead.
