By: Amadu Femoh Sesay-Communications Manager, PSC

The Secretary to the Public Service Commission (PSC), Mr. Mohamed Jusu, has reaffirmed the Commission’s Constitutional mandate and its commitment to advancing good governance and public sector reform in Sierra Leone. He made this statement while addressing about Seventy-Five (75) Fellows of the Emerging Public Leaders (EPL) at a week-long induction training commencing today, 13th October, 2025 held at LAC’s Villa, Cantonment Road in Freetown.

In his Address, Mr. Jusu expressed profound appreciation to the EPL for the partnership with the Government of Sierra Leone, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 4th February 2025. The agreement, he explained, seeks to deepen collaboration in promoting good governance and nurturing a new generation of young, competent and ethical public sector leaders.

“The PSC is delighted to be part of this process. The partnership with the EPL is not accidental; it is grounded in best practice and reflects our shared commitment to merit-based recruitment and professional development in the Public Service.” he said.

Mr. Jusu noted that the collaboration between the PSC and the EPL aligns with the Government’s ‘Big Five Game Changers’, particularly the pillar on Revamping the Public Service Architecture. He emphasized that building a highly educated, skilled, and professional workforce remains central to achieving effective service delivery and strengthening state institutions.

He further highlighted ongoing government initiatives, including efforts led by the leadership of the Public Service, including the PSC and Ministry of Public Administration and Political Affairs, to develop and enact the first-ever Public Service Act. According to him, this initiative supported by the European Union aims to harmonize policies, close institutional gaps, and establish a coherent legal framework for public administration in Sierra Leone.

“It is regrettable that Sierra Leone remains the only country in the sub-region without a comprehensive Public Service Act. However, the draft Public Service Policy has been endorsed by Cabinet, and we are hopeful that the legislative process will soon commence.” he said.

Mr. Jusu congratulated the Fellows on their successful selection after a rigorous recruitment process and urged them to embrace the opportunity as a platform for professional growth and national service. He encouraged them to uphold integrity, diligence, and humility in their respective placements within Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), stressing that Public Service is a call to serve rather than a means for personal enrichment.

In a related presentation titled, ‘Role and Responsibilities of the Public Service Commission’, Mr. Jusu provided the Fellows with a comprehensive overview of the Commission’s history, structure, and Constitutional mandate. He disclosed that the PSC established in 1948 during the colonial era is one of the four Constitutional Commissions in Sierra Leone. Its powers, he dilated are derived from Section 152 of the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Act. No. of 1991), which grants it authority to appoint, promote, confirm, transfer, and exercise disciplinary control over public officers.

Mr. Jusu underscored that the PSC works collaboratively with multiple state institutions, including the Ministry of Public Administration and Political Affairs (MOPAPA), Human Resource Management Office (HRMO), Public Sector Reform Unit (PSRU), Office of the Secretary to Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service, and other Service Commissions such as the Judicial, Health, and Teaching Service Commissions. These partnerships, he stressed ensure consistency and transparency in recruitment, postings, and capacity-building initiatives across the Public Service.

“The PSC does not operate in isolation. Our work complements other agencies under the oversight of the Office of the President to ensure professionalism and accountability in the public service.” he explained.

Mr. Jusu highlighted several institutional and legislative challenges affecting the PSC’s effectiveness. Chief among them is the absence of a Public Service Act and the fragmentation of of the Public Service. He observed that the emergence of Act-based Commissions has created overlapping roles and blurred lines of authority in Human Resource (HR) management.

“This has led to inconsistency in the application of HR policies and absence of uniform standards. Our goal, through the forthcoming Public Service Act, is to restore clarity, coordination, and efficiency in managing the nation’s human capital.” he added.

Concluding his presentation, the Secretary to the Commission reiterated the PSC’s unwavering commitment to supporting the EPL Fellowship Programme and the broader government reform agenda.

The Emerging Public Leaders (EPL) Fellowship is a flagship youth leadership programme designed to identify, train, and place outstanding young graduates into key government MDAs. The initiative seeks to strengthen leadership capacity and enhance governance effectiveness within the public sector. The induction training brought together newly recruited Fellows for a week-long orientation before placement into MDAs for a period of Twelve (12) months.