Post a comment 
The KOICA Alumni Association Sierra Leone (KAASL) has officially launched its inaugural seminar on Digital Literacy for the Civil Service at the Western District Women Fellowship Hall, Brookfields.
The seminar, themed “Smart Skills for a Smart Civil Service,” targeted junior and mid-level officers across Sierra Leone’s ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs). It aimed to enhance digital skills and foster collaboration in advancing technology-driven public service.
Mr. Usman Cherry Conteh, Development Secretary at the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), spoke on behalf of KAASL President Madam Abie Elizabeth Kamara. He highlighted that KAASL, established in January 2025 with 20 founding members and sister chapters in Liberia and Nigeria, is a voluntary network of KOICA beneficiaries promoting knowledge exchange and development initiatives.
Describing the seminar as a landmark initiative, Mr. Conteh emphasized the growing importance of IT skills in Sierra Leone’s rapidly modernizing civil service and urged participants to use their expertise to mentor junior officers.
KOICA scholarship beneficiary and KAASL Secretary General, Mr. Ishaka Nyallay, shared his experience studying in Korea, noting that the program trains participants to return as “Development Ambassadors” equipped with practical skills to drive sustainable national development.
Other speakers included Mr. Abass Kargbo, Senior Aid Management Officer at MoPED, who praised KOICA programs for promoting cultural exchange and strengthening Sierra Leone’s economic diplomacy, and Madam Aminata Omaru Tholley, Director at the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation, who highlighted the scholarships’ role in advancing governance and development.
The seminar featured practical sessions on productivity tools, data collection and reporting, and innovative technologies, encouraging participants to leverage KOICA opportunities to enhance digital competencies and contribute to national development.
The event concluded with a call for greater collaboration, idea-sharing, and partnerships to shape a smarter and more efficient civil service in Sierra Leone.
