President Julius Maada Bio has sworn in five new government officials, including a new finance minister, as part of a cabinet reshuffle aimed at advancing his administration’s development agenda.

Karefa A. Kargbo, a Certified Public Accountant and retired Lieutenant Colonel, was appointed Minister of Finance during the ceremony on Wednesday, 2 September 2026. He previously served as Minister of Foreign Affairs during the NPRC period and was Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Mines and Minerals Development and Management Corporation.

The other appointees are Umaru N. Koroma as Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security; Jeneba J. Bangura as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; Dr Steven A. Jusu as Deputy Minister of Energy II; and Foday Mousa Fofanah as Deputy Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources.

Kargbo takes over the finance portfolio at a time when the government is focused on revenue mobilisation, expenditure control and reducing reliance on donor support. He holds an MBA in International Finance from American University in Washington, D.C.

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Parliament approved the nominees on 20 August 2026 after they appeared before the Appointments Committee.

President Bio congratulated the appointees and charged them to serve with diligence and dedication. The ceremony marks the formal start of their duties as they join efforts to push forward the government’s development agenda.