Milton Margai Technical University Opens Doors of Collaboration to the Leadership of the Civil Service

This accolade came during the conclusion of the nationwide symposium that attracted hundreds of academic staff and students that converged at the Great Hall of the MMTU, Goderich Campus.

Welcoming the delegation, the Vice Chancellor and Principal of the Milton Margai Technical University, Professor Philip Kanu, said, since the College gained University status, this was the first time the University has hosted such a high profile delegation from the Government of Sierra Leone. He conveyed his administration’s unflinching support to collaborate with the leadership of the Civil Service at all times.

Professor Kanu commended the leadership of the Civil Service particularly the Ministry of Public Administration and Political Affairs and the Public Sector Reform Unit, for this laudable initiative stating that, the occasion would broaden the knowledge of the students to understand the dichotomy between the Civil Service and the Public Service and also how those institutions functions.

Giving the Keynote speech, the Minister of Public Administration and Political Affairs, Mr. Amara Kallon said the Civil Service and Public Sector have been fraught with many challenges over the years which have impeded their performances.

He maintained that, the Government has embarked on numerous reforms to ensure that Ministries, Departments and Agencies have the right structures, trained and qualified personnel to deliver services in a timely and efficient manner.

Minister Kallon said that, part of the reforms would include reviewing of obsolete policies and laws in line with modern trend to ensure the full functionality of MDAs in line with their mandate.

The Minister added that government is working on modalities to earnest the full potentials of information technology as numerous software solutions are being developed including electronic time attendance to maximize efficiency and effectiveness in the public sector.

The Chairman of the Public Service Commission, Mr. K.O. Bah, observed that the Civil Service used to be one of the best in the Sub Region but in the 80s and 90s, it lost its relevance due to political interference and the civil war. “We are now trying to fix the Civil Service to bring back its past glory,” he added.

The Secretary to Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service, Mr. John Sumailah explained that, the various reforms within the Civil Service and the wider Public Sector are vital for the reengineering of both the Civil Service and Public Sector for better service delivery.

The Director of Public Sector Reform Unit, Mr Sulaiman Phoray-Musa, the co-host and moderator of the symposium, said the collaboration between the Universities and the Civil Service is vital for democratic governance and peaceful cohesion.

He said the leadership of the Civil Service, the Ministry of Public Administration and Political Affairs and the Public Sector Reform Unit (PSRU) would continue this collaborative partnerships to build on the gains of the on-going reform initiatives across the wider Public Service.