Sierra Leone’s APRM Charts Bold Path Forward Under MoPED Leadership
Aaron Parker The African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) in Sierra Leone is moving forward under the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), following a Presidential directive on June 19, 2025, that repositioned the APRM to strengthen governance and national development planning.
Speaking on SLBC’s Morning Coffee program, Executive Secretary of the APRM National Secretariat, Mohamed Sheshu Sheriff, highlighted the progress made since the transition, including the formation of technical teams, approval of procurement by the NPPA, and the reactivation of district-level committees to boost citizen participation.
Dr. Emmanuel A.R. Gaima, leading the transition, continues to coordinate key stakeholders, including Minister Kenye Barlay and members of the National Governing Council, to consolidate the new governance structure.
“The recent milestones reflect a coordinated effort to strengthen institutional capacity and enhance public sector efficiency,” Sheriff said.
Under Minister Barlay’s leadership, public awareness campaigns and media outreach have increased citizen engagement, while budget disbursement and vendor coordination have been successfully implemented.
These efforts are part of Sierra Leone’s plan to deliver a nationally owned, reform-driven Second-Generation APRM Review, aligning with continental timelines.
The repositioning of APRM within MoPED is seen as a significant step toward improving governance, institutional reform, and democratic accountability in Sierra Leone, and serves as a potential model for other countries participating in the APRM process.