By Kadijatu Bangura, Daily Scope Reporter
Parliament on Tuesday, 14 July 2026, ratified a 10-year Joint Venture Agreement between the Ministry of Information and Civic Education and Diming Yimo Printing Group to modernise the Government Printing Department with a $5 million investment.
Under the deal signed on 24 March 2026, Diming Yimo Printing Group will fund the full upgrade of the facility with modern digital printing equipment. The Government of Sierra Leone will make no financial contribution, and ownership of the upgraded department will revert to the state at the end of the concession period.
Presenting the agreement, Minister of Information and Civic Education Chernor Bah described the partnership as a turning point for the public printing sector.
“The Government Printing Department, the first of its kind in Sub-Saharan Africa, needs significant modernisation to meet current standards. This investment brings advanced technology, improves service delivery, and expands capacity without any fiscal burden on government,” Bah told MPs.
Legislators Debate Terms
Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Information and Civic Education, Hon. Rugiatu R. Kanu, noted concerns that implementation had begun prior to parliamentary approval. She however said the early deployment of new equipment has already improved the speed and quality of government printing, created jobs, and provided skills transfer to local staff.
Deputy Speaker Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh called for strict enforcement of laws requiring public institutions to use the Government Printing Department for official jobs. He also urged Parliament to strengthen oversight and encouraged the investors to integrate recycling into operations.
Deputy Leader of Opposition II, Hon. Aaron Aruna Koroma, questioned the lack of a defined commencement date and raised concerns over the 70/30 revenue-sharing formula, arguing that government’s share should be higher. He proposed that the agreement be subjected to review every five years.
Deputy Leader of Government Business, Hon. Emerson Lamina, defended the deal as one of the most strategic public-private partnerships for service delivery. He said it would build institutional capacity and improve staff training.
Opposition Leader Hon. Abdul Kargbo welcomed the technology transfer component, saying it would reduce dependence on foreign printing. He however called for tighter monitoring, adherence to procurement laws, salary reviews for staff, and a policy ensuring sensitive national security documents are printed locally.
Government Defends Agreement
Winding up the debate, Majority Leader Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma dismissed claims that the agreement lacked a start date. He said the revenue-sharing model protects state interests while generating income, and assured MPs that all current staff of the department would retain their jobs. He added that tax concessions in the agreement were structured to support the investment.
In his closing remarks, Minister Bah thanked Parliament for the approval and pledged to address issues raised during the debate. He reiterated government’s commitment to effective oversight to ensure the partnership delivers.
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