Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh has reaffirmed the Government of Sierra Leone’s commitment to building a modern, professional, innovative and citizen-centred public service, describing the transformation of the country’s public sector architecture as central to the successful delivery of President Julius Maada Bio’s Big Five Game Changers agenda.
Speaking on behalf of His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio during the commemoration of the United Nations World Public Service Day 2026, the Chief Minister conveyed the President’s warm greetings and paid tribute to serving and retired public servants whose dedication, professionalism and sacrifices have contributed immensely to national development. He noted that the occasion was particularly historic, marking the country’s inaugural national commemoration of World Public Service Day and the first formal recognition of distinguished serving and retired public servants.
Dr. Sengeh emphasized that President Bio’s commitment to modernising governance and strengthening institutions informed the elevation of public service reform as Pillar Five of the Medium-Term National Development Plan 2024–2030, transforming the Public Service Architecture. He stated that the establishment of the Ministry of Public Administration and Political Affairs and the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation demonstrates the Government’s deliberate and strategic commitment to reforming the public sector to make it more accountable, inclusive, innovative and responsive to the needs of citizens.
Highlighting key milestones achieved under the reform agenda, the Chief Minister cited the development of Sierra Leone’s first Public Service Act, the comprehensive review and Cabinet approval of the Civil Service Codes, Regulations and Rules, and the allocation of 100 acres of land by the Ministry of Lands for the construction of a permanent Public Service Academy campus. He further announced that the Civil Service Training College will henceforth be known as the Public Service Academy, underscoring the Government’s determination to develop a highly skilled and competent public service capable of driving sustainable development and effective service delivery.
The event, held under the auspices of the United Nations, brought together senior government officials, development partners and public servants to celebrate excellence in public administration and reaffirm the importance of accountable and effective institutions. The observance served as a platform to recognize public servants as key drivers of national transformation while promoting innovation, integrity, professionalism and improved service delivery.
Discussions during the commemoration focused on strengthening performance and accountability across the public service, advancing institutional reforms and modernization initiatives, recognizing public servants as drivers of national transformation, and fostering a culture of excellence, integrity and innovation in support of national development and effective service delivery.
Delivering statements during the ceremony, Head of Civil Service Prince E. O. Cole, Chairman of the Public Service Commission Kalilu O. Bah, Director of the African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP) Karim Bounemra Ben Soltane, and Minister of Public Administration and Political Affairs Amara Kallon underscored the importance of strengthening performance management, promoting accountability, accelerating modernization reforms and recognizing public servants as indispensable partners in delivering sustainable development. They emphasized the need to cultivate a public service culture anchored on integrity, professionalism and innovation to ensure efficient, responsive and citizen-centred governance.
The commemoration of World Public Service Day 2026 reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to building capable institutions and transforming the public service architecture in line with Pillar Five of the Big Five Game Changers. Through ongoing reforms, capacity building and institutional modernization, the Government aims to strengthen accountability, improve efficiency and enhance the delivery of quality services to citizens across the country, thereby accelerating inclusive and sustainable national development.
