By Kadijatu Bangura, Daily Scope Reporter
The Director of the Public Sector Reform Unit, Mr. Sulaiman Phoray Musa, has called on stakeholders to play an active role in reshaping the country’s public service, saying lasting reforms can only be achieved through wide consultation and collective effort.
Speaking at a stakeholder engagement held at the Civil Service Academy in Freetown, Mr. Phoray Musa described the academy as a reflection of the nation’s reform progress, tracing its transformation from the former Civil Service Training College to a hub for building a modern and professional public workforce. He lauded the Ministry of Public Administration and Political Affairs for organising the consultation.
According to the Director, public service reform remains central to the Government’s Medium-Term National Development Plan 2024–2030. The process is being guided by the Strategic Roadmap for Public Service Reforms and the Public Sector Reform Master Plan, both of which were developed following extensive engagement with key stakeholders.
He outlined gains recorded in the last two years, including the digitisation of human resource management systems, the drafting of the country’s first Public Service Act, restructuring of institutions to strengthen accountability, and the establishment of the Public Service Academy.
Despite the progress, Mr. Phoray Musa noted that challenges persist. These include overlapping institutional mandates, weak accountability mechanisms, and outdated salary and grading structures. He stressed that effective reforms must be grounded in the realities and experiences of public sector workers.
He urged participants to give frank feedback on the Strategic Roadmap, highlight priority areas for implementation, and identify the financial, technical, and institutional support required for success.
“The Government of Sierra Leone recognises that an effective public service cannot be built by decree. It requires sustained coordination, honest institutional reflection and meaningful stakeholder engagement,” he said. “Speak openly and challenge proposals where necessary to ensure that the reforms are both effective and sustainable.”
The engagement is part of ongoing efforts to overhaul the public service architecture. The PSRU continues to provide technical leadership and coordination in the design and implementation of all public sector reform initiatives.
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