The Chairman of the Public Service Commission (PSC), Mr. Kalilu Omoru Bah (K.O. Bah), has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to revamping Sierra Leone’s public service architecture through the development of the nation’s first-ever Public Service Act. He described the legislation as the foundation on which all ongoing reforms will be anchored.
Mr. Bah made the announcement while addressing the Public Service Policy Technical Working Group (TWG) at the PSC Conference Room. The meeting followed a recommendation by the Cabinet Combined Standing Committee that the Minister of Public Administration and Political Affairs, Hon. Amara Kallon, liaise with Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh to engage the TWG on updating the Public Service Policy Memorandum. The objective is to incorporate inputs from key institutions including the Foreign Service, Local Government Councils, universities, commissions, and agencies to ensure the document effectively guides public service reforms before resubmission to Cabinet.
The Minister of Public Administration and Political Affairs had previously presented the Policy Memorandum to the Cabinet Sub-Committee on 10 September 2025 for consideration and approval. Mr. Bah emphasized that the new framework will seal off doubts about public service delivery and reposition the PSC to fully execute its constitutional mandate for oversight and coordination of human resource functions in the sector. Under Section 152 of the 1991 Constitution, the PSC is empowered to appoint persons to hold or act in offices in the public service (including appointments, promotions, confirmations) and to dismiss and exercise disciplinary control over persons holding or acting in such offices.
The Chairman described the forthcoming Public Service Act as a “parent Act” that will serve as the guiding framework for all human resource management reforms across the public service. The thrust of this Act is to enable the PSC to play a meaningful role in the overall revamping of the public service. We can safely describe it as a broad-spectrum solution that will address systemic challenges, he explained.
Mr. Bah also noted the emergence of multiple actors in public service recruitment and HR management over the years. While acknowledging their contributions, he stressed the need for a central oversight institution to ensure consistency and quality service across the sector.
The PSC’s efforts to modernize the public service trace back to 2014 when executive clearance was granted for the policy initiative. Momentum slowed over the years but was reinvigorated with substantial support from the European Union, leading to nationwide consultations with civil servants and key stakeholders.
The TWG meeting was chaired by the Secretary to the Commission, Mr. Mohamed Jusu, who confirmed that the draft policy had been reviewed by the Cabinet Sub-Committee, chaired by the Vice President. Various government ministers, including those responsible for Foreign Affairs, Technical and Higher Education, and Local Government, highlighted the importance of including their respective sectors in the framework. Technical presentations from relevant ministries are expected to further enrich the final document.
Senior management from the PSC, the Office of the Secretary to Cabinet, the Head of the Civil Service, the Ministry of Public Administration and Political Affairs (MOPAPA), the Public Sector Reform Unit (PSRU), the Law Reform Commission (LRC), and the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education attended the TWG, contributing insights to strengthen the policy.
Once enacted, the Public Service Act is expected to transform governance structures, enhance accountability, and improve public service delivery across Sierra Leone.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Friday, 26th September, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
