By: Amadu Femoh Sesay-Communications Manager, PSC

The Public Service Commission (PSC) of Sierra Leone, on behalf of the Public Service has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Emerging Public Leaders (EPL) organisation at the PSC’s headquarters on Gloucester Street in Freetown.

The signing ceremony which took place on Tuesday, today 4th February, 2025 was witnessed by the Minister and Deputy Minister of Public Administration and Public Affairs, Secretary to Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service, Commissioners of the PSC, Director of Public Sector Reform Unit, Principal of the Civil Service Training College, and other senior public officers. The ceremony was chaired by the Secretary to the Commission, Mr. Mohamed Jusu.

In his brief Address, the Chairman of PSC, Mr. Kalilu Omaro (K.O.) Bah said that the leadership of the Public Service has collectively recognized the importance of striking a strong partnership with the Emerging Public Leaders (EPL) organization, recalling that the leadership had held several meetings with members of the Board of EPL in Sierra Leone and Uganda. He described this approach as an excellent opportunity to not only “capacitate our young people” but also unite us in the pursuit of good governance. He noted: “we are pleased to collaborate and cooperate with you because we have similar goals”. According to the Chairman, this collaborative agreement is an additional effort towards reforming the Public Service architecture.

Mr. K.O. Bah further stated that the compelling need for reform in this country has forced “all of us to respond” to President Julius Maada Bio’s call to reform the Public Service Architecture, with the hope of fostering new ways of thinking. It is hoped that these “new ways of thinking” would also encourage a more progressive and innovative approach within the wider Public Service.

Assuring a cross section of the EPL Board, the Chairman stated that Sierra Leone has embraced the challenge of moving towards good governance by “empowering our young generation” to take on leadership roles. He revealed that His Excellency the President is passionate about young people assuming leadership positions. However, he advised that to succeed as a young person, one must be grounded in sound education and good manners. He emphasized that knowledge has to be celebrated alongside good character, and without these two qualities, no young man is worthy of employment in the Public Service.

The Minister of Public Administration and Public Affairs, Mr. Amara Kallon, expressed his pleasure at witnessing the signing of the MoU between the PSC on behalf of the Government of Sierra Leone and EPL. He highlighted that the dynamics of the Public Service have changed, and the need for reform is essential for adapting to a new way of thinking.

According to Minister Kallon, the involvement of EPL is crucial in enhancing the role young people should play in the Public Service. He revealed that the government is now desirous to transform the Civil Service Training College (CSTC) into the Public Service Academy (PSA). He noted that the PSA facility would be instrumental in rolling out EPL’s Fellowship Flagship Programme.

The Executive Director of EPL, Ms. Abigail Kajumba commended that Government of Sierra Leone and the leadership of the Public Service in Sierra Leone for agreeing to collaborate and cooperate with the EPL. Ms. Kajumba recalled that the organisation started some fifteen (15) years ago in Liberia following the election of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

The Executive Director also revealed that the EPL’s Flagship Programme is a Fellowship Programme which would be launched in due course after the signing of the MoU. She observed that the EPL would work with the leadership of the Public Service to recruit a cohort of young people who are graduates and committed to serving Sierra Leone. Ms. Kajumba stressed that the EPL would help build the capacity of young people through a year long programme, focusing on training, mentorship, supervision, community programmes, among others.

The purpose of the MoU is to establish the basis for collaboration between the Government of Sierra Leone (Public Service) and Emerging Public Leaders concerning the Promotion of best practices in developing, administering and monitoring the EPL’s Initiative (TEPLI) in Sierra Leone. According to the document, this initiative is aimed at recruiting and building the capacity of young graduates with a passion for public service or In-Service Professionals by equipping them with relevant information and skills to support them thrive and become positive agents of change in the Public Sector.

The EPL is also in partnerships with the governments of Liberia, Ghana, Malawi and Kenya.