By: Mohamed Sahr
In an effort to enhancing the effectiveness of the peace architecture, Executive Director of the Public Sector Reform Unit, Sulaiman Phoray-Musa urged the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC) to ) fully operationalise its peace coordination platform. He made this statement during the handing over of the Management Functional Review.
He asserted that the ICPNC should have the capacity to establish a National Peace platform, independent of other existing initiatives.
Musa pointed out that promoting peace is a central theme in Sierra Leone’s Constitution, specifically Section 73, which mandates Parliament to enact laws that promote peace, security, order, and good governance in the country. While peace is not explicitly recognised as a human right, Sierra Leone is a signatory to the African Charter on Human Rights, affirming the right to both national and international peace.
The review also highlighted a lack of coordination among various entities involved in peace efforts, indicating the need for a unified platform to address peace-related issues. Musa informed the board members that the review uncovered several administrative irregularities, particularly regarding the appointment of senior staff, which was not conducted in accordance with Section 4(1) of the ICPNC Act.
Also, he review identified a significant absence of regulations to guide the implementation of the ICPNC Act, impeding its operational effectiveness. Musa stressed the necessity for a policy framework, an act, and regulations to guide public sector institutions moving forward.
Stakeholder assessments revealed a pervasive lack of trust in the commission’s independence, primarily stemming from questionable staff appointments. To address this, PSRU recommended that individuals appointed to the commission should be nonpartisan and exemplify high moral standards to enhance its legitimacy.
Human resource management emerged as another critical area of concern. The review indicated that the commission lacks sufficient staffing to fulfill its mandate, with many employees reporting poor working conditions and dissatisfaction with their status as contract staff, which adversely affects morale and productivity.
Musa highlighted that the ICPNC was established to perform specific functions and has agreements with other nations. He emphasized the importance of allowing the commission to operate freely and effectively, aligning its performance with the Medium Term National Development Plan.
Public Service Reform Unit aims to provide leadership and strategic guidance in the design, implementation, and monitoring of public sector reforms, fostering a modern and effective public service that delivers high-quality services to the people of Sierra Leone.
Rev. Shodankeh Johnson, Chairperson of the ICPNC, expressed gratitude for the PSRU’s efforts. He remarked that while the review was commendable, the issues identified need to be addressed for the commission to fulfill its purpose. Johnson assured that the board would carefully review the recommendations and work collaboratively with PSRU to implement them within the designated timeline.
