By Sulaiman Jalloh
in a transformative step toward modernizing Sierra Leone’s public sector, the minister of public administration and political affairs, Amara Kallon, signed a groundbreaking contract with HUMNCE LLC to
Develop a state-of-the-art digital Human Resource (HR) Hub, the agreement, formalized in the presence of the minister of communications, technology and Innovation, Saliman Bah, and funded by the ministry of Finance, marks a pivotal milestone in President Julius Maada Bio’s ambitious Big Five agenda to overhaul the nation’s public service architecture.
The digital HR Hub promises to revolutionize how Sierra Leone’s public service operates, bringing efficiency, transparency, and innovation to core functions. By digitizing critical processes, the hub will streamline recruitment, onboarding, attendance tracking, performance evaluations, transfers, promotions, capacity building, and personnel profiling, this comprehensive system aims to replace outdated manual methods with a seamless, data-driven platform, and ensuring public servants are better equipped to serve the nation.
This is a game-changer, said minister Kallon at the signing ceremony, the HR Hub will empower our workforce, enhance accountability, and align our public service with global standards, and the initiative reflects president Bio’s vision of a modern, responsive government capable of meeting 21st-century demands. For a country where bureaucratic delays have long hindered progress, the hub is seen as a bold leap toward operational excellence.
HUMNCE LLC, a firm specializing in digital transformation, brings expertise to the project, tailoring the platform to Sierra Leone’s unique needs, we’re not just building software we’re building a foundation for progress, said a HUMNCE representative, the system will include tools like the Individual performance appraisal System (IPAS), enabling real-time tracking of employee performance, and a knowledge management portal to foster continuous learning.
The project’s funding, secured through the ministry of Finance, underscores the government’s commitment to prioritizing innovation, collaboration with the ministry of communications, technology and Innovation ensures the hub integrates with Sierra Leone’s broader digital strategy, while the national public procurement agency’s oversight guarantees transparency in the process.
The initiative is now entering a pilot phase, with select public sector departments testing the platform to refine its features, a full nationwide rollout is planned once the pilot proves successful, promising to impact thousands of public servants across ministries and agencies, this is about creating a public service that works for everyone efficient, fair, and forward-thinking, said Minister Bah, highlighting the hub’s potential to drive systemic change.
Public response has been optimistic, though some civil servants expressed concerns about training and adaptation, to address this, the government has pledged comprehensive capacity-building programs to ensure a smooth transition, change can be daunting, but we’re committed to supporting our workforce every step of the way, a MoPAPA spokesperson noted.
The HR Hub’s development has also drawn praise for its collaborative spirit, we’re grateful to president Bio, the ministries of finance and communications, the Procurement agency, and all stakeholders who made this possible, Minister Kallon added, their collective efforts signal a unified push to elevate Sierra Leone’s public service to new heights.
As the pilot phase begins, anticipation is building for a public sector that is more agile and responsive. For Sierra Leone, the digital HR Hub is not just a technological upgrade it’s a promise of a more efficient, equitable, and empowered government, poised to deliver on the aspirations of its people.