PSRU Commences Symposium for Universities in the Northern and South/Eastern Regions

Mile 91 – 26th April, 2024:

The Public Sector Reform Unit (PSRU) in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Administration and Political Affairs, commences symposium for the North, Southern and Eastern Regions at the Central University, Mile 91, in the Tonkolili District, North West Region on the theme: Sierra Leone at 63: Revamping the Public Sector Architecture.
The guest speakers are the Minister of Public Administration and Political Affairs, Mr. Amara Kallon, the Secretary to Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service, Mr John Sumaila and the Presidential Adviser on Governance Dr. Emmanuel Gaima.
In his address, the Minister of Public Administration and Political Affairs said manifesto are political commitments which are then transformed into National Development Plan to provide services to the nation.

Mr. Amara Kallon said there is symbiotic relationship between the Ministers, who are politicians, and the civil servants as they the Ministers provide the policy directives in MDAs whilst the civil servants are the engines that deliver the policies and promises of the government, therefore there should be synergy between the two arms for the effective functioning of MDAs.

The Minister said the symposium provides the platform for students to understand the workings of the civil and public service so that will be well knowledgeable to make informed judgement.

The Director of PSRU, Mr. Sulaiman Phoray-Musa who serves as host for the symposium said the occasion presents a unique opportunity for stock taking of the government activities and programmes which includes the public administrations structures, the possible gains and the shared challenges faced as a country.

He said the symposium provides the platform to engage in frank conversations on different reform initiatives in the quest to transforming the public sector architecture in Sierra Leone. He pointed out that the symposium serves as an entry point to higher educational institutions for the exchange of ideas and intellectual discourse as the universities serve as the hub of knowledge, innovation and critical thinking.

The director further stated that the symposium provides the platform for students to converge, share their insights, and engage in meaningful dialogue to understand the complexities, challenges and opportunities in shaping the future of governance and the public service.

The Secretary to Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service, Mr. John Sumaila, spoke about the nexus between the civil service and the public service noting that the civil service is the bedrock of the wider public service. He also dilated on the effectiveness of Management and Functional Reviews which in his words are the entry point to ensure effectiveness of MDAs by addressing duplications in roles and functions in MDAs for effective service delivery.

Dr. Emmanuel spoke of the number of reforms that have taken place within the governance landscape ranging from Electoral reforms to judicial and legal reforms and the management of political parties with the creation of the Political Parties Regulation Commission, PPRC all geared towards improving governance and peaceful cohesion.