By Forum staff writer
The Ministry of Basic and Senior School Education has recorded one of the lowest performances in agreement implementation, scoring 25 percent in the 2025 Ministerial Performance Contract Report.
The report, published by President Julius Maada Bio at State House in Freetown on March 5, 2026, highlights varying levels of performance across government ministries, with some institutions achieving high scores while others fell below expectations.
According to the findings, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change both achieved 100 percent in agreement implementation, emerging as top performers. The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources followed with 90 percent, while the Ministry of Health recorded 60 percent. Several other ministries, including Finance, Foreign Affairs, and Technical and Higher Education, each scored 50 percent. The Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation registered 35 percent.
In contrast, the Ministry of Basic and Senior School Education’s 25 percent score places it among the weakest performers in this category, raising concerns about its level of compliance with agreed targets.
The report indicates that only seven ministries scored above 50 percent in agreement implementation. However, it notes that the average implementation rate for cabinet conclusions stood at 58.8 percent, exceeding the minimum target of 50 percent for the period under review. This suggests that, overall, most ministries were able to meet at least half of their agreed commitments.
A total of 145 ministerial agreements were signed across all ministries, representing an average of five agreements per ministry against a minimum target of two. The report describes the general level of agreement signing as satisfactory, with 23 ministries achieving at least a 50 percent implementation rate.
Further analysis shows that six ministries accounted for a significant share of the agreements signed. The Ministry of Transport and Aviation led with 23 agreements, followed by the Ministry of Water Resources with 18. The Ministries of Trade and Industry and Youth Affairs each signed 12 agreements, while the Ministry of Finance recorded 11. The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources completed seven agreements.
In the area of ministerial achievements, the report states that 89 cabinet papers were approved during the period. About 20 ministries achieved the minimum target of 50 percent implementation, while six ministries accounted for over half of the approved cabinet papers. The Ministry of Finance recorded the highest number with 22, followed by the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice with seven, and the Ministry of Transport and Aviation with six. The Ministries of Agriculture, Communication Technology and Innovation, and Trade and Industry each completed five.
Other performance indicators show moderate progress. Compliance with service delivery charters stood at 53.1 percent, with 19 ministries meeting the minimum target. Procurement processes recorded a 72.1 percent compliance rate, with 18 ministries achieving at least 80 percent. Full compliance was recorded by the Ministries of Transport and Aviation, Lands Housing and Country Planning, Water Resources, and Youth Affairs.
The report also notes a 76.9 percent compliance rate in responding to audit queries, reflecting improvements in accountability across ministries.
While the overall performance shows progress in several areas, the low score recorded by the Ministry of Basic and Senior School Education highlights the need for stronger implementation efforts to meet national targets and improve service delivery.
