On Thursday, December 12, 2024, Honourable Amara Kallon, Minister of Public Administration and Political Affairs (MoPAPA), unveiled the Strategic Roadmap for Public Service Reforms at the Foreign Service Academy, Tower Hill. The document outlines a framework for a result-oriented public service architecture aimed at improving governance in Sierra Leone.

The event brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from government, international organizations, civil society, the media, and development partners.

Minister Kallon emphasized the roadmap’s alignment with President Julius Maada Bio’s “New Direction” agenda, specifically Pillar 5 of the Big 5 Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) 2024–2030. “This document is a bold step toward transforming the public service into an efficient, results-driven system,” the Minister stated.

He highlighted MoPAPA’s evolution from the former Ministry of Political and Public Affairs, noting its previous lack of public relevance. “Under President Bio’s leadership, MoPAPA now stands as a pivotal ministry with a clear mandate to overhaul Sierra Leone’s public service architecture,” he said, adding that Sierra Leone is the only African country with a ministry dedicated to public administration reforms.

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Kallon commended his ministry’s staff for their commitment and acknowledged development partners, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the World Bank, for their financial support.

The Minister detailed MoPAPA’s role in coordinating and mobilizing resources for implementing reforms through agencies such as the Public Sector Reform Unit (PSRU), Public Service Commission (PSC), and Human Resources Management Office (HRMO). He stressed the importance of the reforms in positioning Sierra Leone’s public service on par with counterparts across Africa.

Addressing challenges, Kallon cited historical factors impeding public service development, including one-party rule, the decade-long civil war, and frequent regime changes. “These factors have left a legacy of inefficiency and underdevelopment in the public sector,” he remarked.

Remarks were also delivered by the PSC Chairman, the UN Resident Coordinator, and the World Bank Country Manager, all underscoring the document’s significance.

The launch culminated with a detailed PowerPoint presentation of the roadmap by PSRU Director and a joint unveiling by Minister Kallon and a representative from the Office of the Vice President.