Freetown 4th February, 2025: The Chairman for the Public Service Commission, Mr. K.O.Bah has on behalf of the Government of Sierra Leone, sign a memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Executive Director of Emerging Public Leaders, Madam Abigail Kajunba, to strengthen collaboration and partnership in the area of capacity building for young and professionals in the public service of Sierra Leone, at a ceremony held on the 4th of February 2025, at the Commission’s conference room.
The purpose of the MOU is to establish the basis for collaboration between EPL and GOSL-PSC concerning the promotion of best practices in developing, administering, and monitoring the Emerging Public Leaders’ Initiative. These objectives are in line with cluster 5 of the MTNDP which is Revamping the Public Sector Architecture.
The Chairman PSC, Mr. K. O Bah expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, and the commitment demonstrated by Emerging Public Leaders and the leadership of public service in Sierra Leone. According to Mr. K.O.Bah, the need for reform has compelled the leadership of the Public Service to yield to the clarion call of H.E President Julius Maada Bio to reform the entire public service by incorporating new initiatives and ideas that will strengthen MDAs to deliver effectively on their mandate and also attract and retain experienced and qualified young professionals with the right skills mix.
He assures the leadership of Emerging Public Leaders that the government of Sierra Leone has taken the challenge to attract young dynamic professionals to leadership positions to showcase their talents and expertise by ensuring that they contribute meaningfully to the development of the country. He expressed his excitement in signing the MOU with the EPL and he is confident that Sierra Leone is moving towards the same direction as EPL which is building a better public service. The Minister of Public Administration and Political Affairs Mr. Amara Kallon, who served as witness to the signing of the MOU, says he is elated to be part of the historic events pointing out that 62% of the population of Sierra Leone constitute young people, making it compelling to find innovative ways to engage them in the on-going reforms in the public service.
The Executive Director of Emerging Public Leaders (EPL), Abigail Kajumba stated that the institution exists to accelerate good governance and equitable prosperity in Africa. Achieving this vision, she noted, requires talented, ethical, and energetic government professionals with its in-country partners. She pointed out that her institution rigorously select and build the capacity of diverse youths including young professionals in the public service that are committed to practicing and promoting good governance throughout Africa.
Madam Kajumba narrated that Emerging Public Leaders was established 15 years ago in Liberia under the Presidency of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, and has contributed in enhancing the capacities of public servants in Ghana, Kenya and Malawi noting that Sierra Leone is next to benefit from their expertise. She explained that the program for Sierra Leone is aimed at recruiting and building the capacity of young Sierra Leonean graduates that has passion to work in the public service by strengthening their
capacity with the relevant skills for them to thrive and become agents of changes in the public sector. The Director of Public Sector Reform Unit, Mr. Sulaiman Phoray-Musa spoke about the critical reforms that have taken place within the public sector that will be of immense benefit to young and enterprising Sierra Leoneans that are desirous to work in the public service.
