By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The Minister of Public Administration and Political Affairs, Amara Kallon, has unveiled a comprehensive strategic roadmap designed to guide the ongoing public service reforms in Sierra Leone.
He made this disclosure at the Ministry of Information and Civic Education weekly press conference on Tuesday 11 March 2025.
The announcement comes after an international conference attended by representatives from Kenya, Egypt, South Africa, and Ghana, countries that have successfully implemented public sector reforms.
Minister Kallon emphasized that the goal of the reforms is not only to enhance service delivery but also to foster a cultural shift in the public service by improving the mindset and behavioral patterns of public servants, in alignment with the Civil Service Code of Conduct.
In his address, minister Kallon highlighted the importance of the reforms in creating a public service that is more responsive, efficient, and accountable to the needs and aspirations of the people. “The aim of these reforms is to transform the public service into one that truly serves the people, with a focus on responsiveness, integrity, and effectiveness,” he stated.
At the heart of the reforms is the National Transformative Strategy, which minister Kallon described as the roadmap to achieve a more efficient and inclusive public service. The strategy is built around eight key pillars that address critical areas of governance and public administration. These pillars include: –
✓ Institutional Restructuring: Strengthening and streamlining public institutions to improve performance and reduce inefficiency
✓ Human Resource Management: Revamping the recruitment, training, and management of public servants to ensure that the right skills and qualifications are in place to meet the country’s development needs
✓ Capacity Building: Providing continuous professional development opportunities for public servants to enhance their skills and capabilities
✓ E-Governance: Leveraging digital technologies to enhance service delivery and improve transparency and accountability in government processes
✓ Media Relations: Strengthening the relationship between the government and the media to ensure effective communication and information dissemination
✓ Gender and Social Inclusion: Ensuring that the public service is inclusive and representative of the diverse demographic of Sierra Leone, with particular attention to gender equality and the inclusion of marginalized groups
✓ Pay and Incentives: Reforming the pay structure to ensure that public servants are fairly compensated for their work, motivating them to deliver high-quality services
Minister Kallon also mentioned that a thorough institutional assessment had already been conducted on key institutions such as the Human Resource Management Office (HRMO), the Public Service Commission (PSC), the Public Sector Reform Unit (PSRU), and the Ministry itself.
The assessment was aimed at evaluating their capacity to effectively implement the planned reforms, noting that international organizations like the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and other development partners would provide vital support in strengthening the institutions to ensure the success of the reform agenda.
In addition to the broader institutional reforms, minister Kallon highlighted the development of a digital system aimed at improving the efficiency of human resource management in the public service. The Government of Sierra Leone HR Hub, which is in its final stages of development, will digitize key human resource management functions, including recruitment, payroll, attendance, and other essential services. This system, once operational, is expected to streamline the processes, enhance accountability, and reduce opportunities for corruption and inefficiency within the public service.
“The HR Hub will modernize how we manage human resources within the public service,” Minister Kallon explained. “It will make the system more transparent, efficient, and responsive to the needs of public servants, while also providing better service to the public.”
Minister Kallon’s announcement marks a significant step in the country’s ongoing efforts to reform the public sector and improve governance. With the backing of international partners and a clear roadmap in place, the minister expressed confidence that the reforms would lead to a more efficient, responsive, and accountable public service that is better equipped to meet the needs of Sierra Leone’s citizens.
As Sierra Leone moves forward with these reforms, it is clear that the government is committed to creating a public service that not only meets the demands of the present but is also prepared for the challenges of the future.
The success of the reforms will depend on the collective efforts of government institutions, public servants, and citizens, working together to build a stronger, more effective government.
