By Saidu Jalloh, Daily Scope Reporter
London, United Kingdom – On October 28, 2025, Sierra Leone solidified its commitment to enhancing its public sector through a groundbreaking partnership with the United Kingdom. In a ceremony held in London, Mr. Prince E.O. Cole, Secretary to Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service, and Mr. Kalilu O. Bah, Chairman of the Public Service Commission, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ms. Denise Smart, Director of the UK Civil Service College, a leading institution in public sector training and governance support.
The signing was attended by Hon. Amara Kallon, Minister of Public Administration and Political Affairs, and Mr. Sulaiman Phoray-Musa, Director of the Public Sector Reform Unit (PSRU) in the Office of the President.
This agreement aims to bolster collaboration in leadership training, policy formulation, and public sector reform. A significant goal of the MoU is to transform the Civil Service Training College into a Public Service Academy by 2026, aligning with the government’s commitment to professionalizing the civil service.
Minister Kallon is leading a high-level delegation to the UK, which has also engaged with the Commonwealth Secretariat and other development partners. The team is working on implementing Sierra Leone’s Public Service Transformative Strategy, which aligns with Cluster 5 of the Medium-Term National Development Plan (2024–2030) focused on building a modern, performance-driven public service.
After the MoU signing, the delegation received a warm welcome at the Sierra Leone High Commission from Deputy High Commissioner Mrs. Yvonne King Odigboh and her staff, where they held a follow-up meeting with Commonwealth Secretariat officials. Mrs. Odigboh emphasized the long-standing historical ties between Sierra Leone and the UK, highlighting the necessity of continued collaboration.
Discussions with Commonwealth officials, including Prof. Luis Franceschi, Commonwealth Assistant Secretary-General, centered on technical support, training, and institutional capacity-building. Mr. Sulaiman Phoray-Musa presented Sierra Leone’s reform roadmap, underscoring President Julius Maada Bio’s vision for a professional and accountable civil service.
“We know where we are coming from, where we are heading, and what we want to achieve,” he stated, calling for meaningful partnerships to enhance the reform process.
Minister Kallon reiterated the government’s resolve to rebuild and depoliticize the public service, citing the revival of the Civil Service Code and the drafting of the Public Service Bill as key components of this evolving process.
Mr. Prince E.O. Cole stressed the importance of cultivating a new generation of competent and ethical civil servants, asserting that “the success of any country depends on the professionalism, integrity, and efficiency of its public service.”
Mr. Kalilu O. Bah hailed the establishment of the Ministry of Public Administration and Political Affairs as a “bold and visionary step,” reaffirming President Bio’s commitment to effective reform.
The visit will conclude with a meeting at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to explore further cooperation in public sector modernization.
This mission represents a significant milestone in Sierra Leone’s efforts to build a modern, efficient, and accountable public service under the leadership of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio.
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