By: Mohamed M. Sesay
The Sixth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone under the Leadership of the Acting Speaker Hon. Solomon Segepoh Thomas on Thursday the 27th of July 2023 approved additional thirty (30) Presidential Nominees which include, Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Heads of Parastatals.
Among the Presidential Nominees approved are; Mr. Chernor A. Bah: Proposed Minister, Ministry of Information and Civic Education, Mr. Gbessay Jusu Ngobel: Proposed Resident Minister, East Mr. Julius Daniel Mattal: Proposed Minister, Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources, Ambassador Tamba John Sylvanus Lamina: Proposed Minister, Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, Ms. Kenyeh Barlay: Proposed Minister of Economic Planning and Development, Mr. Mohamed Rahman Swaray Proposed Minister, Ministry of Employment, Labour and Social Security, Mr. Conrad Sackey; Proposed Minister, Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Dr. Turad Senesie – Proposed Minister, Ministry of Lands and Country Planning, Mr Mohamed E.K. Alie: Proposed Resident Minister, South, Mr. Amara Brewah; Proposed Director General, National Telecommunications Authority (NATCA), Mrs. Augusta James Teima: Proposed Minister -Ministry of Sports, Mrs. Jeneba J Bangura-Proposed Deputy Minister 1-Ministry of Finance, Mr. Alpha Sesay; Proposed Deputy Minister of Justice, Mr. Sarjoh Aziz Kamara; Proposed Deputy Minister, Higher and Technical Education, Madam Fatmata Wurie; Proposed Deputy Minister, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Mr. Bockarie Kalokoh: Proposed Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr. Brima Swarray; Proposed Commissioner General, National Revenue Authority, Dr. Denis Moinina Sandy – Proposed Minister of Works and Public Assets, Mr. Philip Tetema Tondoneh; Proposed deputy minister of Public Administration and Political Affairs, Dr. Jalikatu Mustapha- Proposed Deputy Minister 2; Ministry of Health , Mr. Francis Ben Kaifala Esq; Proposed Commissioner, Anti-Corruption Commission, Madam Salamatu Bah Esq; Proposed Minister of Communication Technology and Innovation, Mr. Keketoma Sandy Esq; Proposed Deputy Minister Information and Civic Education, Dr. Prince Alex Harding -Proposed Commissioner/Chairman (Cabinet Rank, Ambassador Ernest Mbaimba Ndomahina: Proposed Commissioner, National, Mr. Abu Abu Koroma: Proposed Resident Minister, North, Ing. Francis Alphan Kallon: Proposed Deputy Minister, Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation among others.
Presenting the Committee Report on Appointment and the Public Service, the Chairman of the Committee Hon. Mathew S. Nyuma disclosed that the Committee on Appointments and the Public Service, cognizant of its constitutional responsibility of vetting and approving of qualified candidates for appointment to Public offices, met on Monday 24th July, 2023 and interviewed Presidential nominees for appointments as Ministers, Deputies Ministers and Heads of Departments.
Hon. Nyuma continued that the Committee conducted the hearing within its set framework of procedures. He added that the nominees were interviewed on issues pertaining to their educational backgrounds to ensure that they have the relevant education and necessary backup experience to effectively man the Ministries and Departments to which they were appointed. He furthered that probing questions were put to the nominees covered wide ranging issues relating to their track records in the public service and other pertinent work situations, declared assets, tax obligations and their visions for a nationally productive tenure. He added that issues of unsuitability or otherwise were also closely looked into.
After thorough debate regarding the suitability and qualification of the Presidential Nominees, honorable Members of the Sixth Parliament concertedly nodded the speedy approval of all the Presidential Nominees in order to start work in earnest.