Samuel Kallon 
His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio has appointed Mr. Thomas Mustapha Lahai (AIG Rtd.) as the new chairman of the Board of Directors of the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA).
The newest appointee is a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police
Mr. Lahai is sure to bring in a wealth of experience, leadership, and a show of dedication to his new role at SLRSA.
Born on May 19 in Ngiehun Village, Lower Bambara Chiefdom, Kenema District, Mr Lahai holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Fourah Bay College (FBC) and a Master of Science degree in Applied Criminology from Leicester University, in the United Kingdom.
Mr. Lahai hails from a noble family with a riceh legacy of service to the country.
Following his father’s footsteps, he joined the Sierra Leone Police Force in 1993 as a constable and steadily rose through the ranks to become an Assistant Inspector General of Police.
His illustrious career is marked by his exemplary service in various capacities.
Mr. Lahai has notably served as the Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to Prince Charles, now King Charles III, during an official visit to Sierra Leone back in the days.
He has also held several leadership positions within the police, including being a Director of Community Relations, Director of Corporate Services, Director of Human Resources, and Director of Integrated Intelligence Services.
In addition, he has once served as the Local Unit Commander and has held up several key divisions and as Regional Commander for the North-West, Freetown West, and Eastern regions.
Throughout his career, Mr. Lahai has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to excellence, thereby facilitating police training both locally and internationally.
He had participated in specialized courses at the Kofi Annan Peacekeeping Centre in Accra, Ghana, and served as a consultant in South Sudan in the office of the Inspector General of Police.
He had also served as Executive Staff Officer to British Born Inspector General, Mr. Keith Biddle.
For his exceptional contributions to the Sierra Leone Police, he was honored with the prestigious national award, “Commander of the Order of the Rokel (OOR).”
Following his retirement, Mr. Lahai transitioned to commercial farming, establishing a 65-acre cocoa plantation along the Panguma Road in Lower Bambara Chiefdom, Kenema District.
He has also invested his resources in agro-business, including doing a construction of a massive warehouse to support his farming ventures.
His dedication to agriculture aligns with President Bio’s “Feed Salone” initiative, showcasing his commitment to national development even beyond his police career.
As a family man, Mr. Lahai is happily married and blessed with two children.
His leadership qualities, coupled with his vast experience, and vision for development make him a valuable asset to the SLRSA.
The appointment of Mr. Lahai as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of SLRSA marks a significant step toward enhancing road safety in Sierra Leone.
His wealth of experience in management, strategic planning, and public service positions him well to be able to address the challenges facing the road safety sector of Sierra Leone.
SLRSA, through its Public Relations Unit, has expressed confidence in Mr. Lahai’s ability to lead the institution to a greater heights in his reign.
His leadership is expected to drive initiatives that will improve road safety standards, enhance traffic management, and contribute to the overall safety and well-being of Sierra Leoneans.
With Mr. Lahai at the helm, SLRSA is poised to see a new era of progress and innovation, and will ensuring that the many riskier roads in Sierra Leone are safer for all.
