By: Thaimu Bai Sesay
The Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Segepoh Solomon Thomas, has been honoured with a prestigious award for his exceptional and innovative leadership in advancing the capacity and welfare of Parliamentary staff.
The award was presented by the Parliamentary Learning and Sharing Series (PLS) Team, led by Director Mohamed Jalloh, in recognition of his transformative vision and commitment to staff development. The ceremony took place at the Speaker’s Office at Parliament, Tower Hill, Freetown on Monday 27th January 2025.
Director Jalloh, while presenting the award, recounted how Mr. Speaker’s vision sparked the establishment of the Parliamentary Learning and Sharing Series. According to Jalloh, it was in May 2024 that the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, conveyed the Speaker’s keen interest in enhancing staff capacity and professional growth. This initiative led to the creation of the bi-weekly Learning Series, which has since become an instrumental platform for staff development.
Under the program, twelve comprehensive sessions were held, attracting an average of 248 staff members per session. These engagements covered diverse topics such as “Corporate Dress Code,” “International Learning Sharing Experience,” and “Retirement Planning,” facilitated by experts both within and outside Parliament. Jalloh emphasized that the initiative was a testament to Speaker Thomas’s forward-thinking leadership and his dedication to empowering Parliamentary staff.
“Your innovative leadership inspired the creation of this initiative, which has left a lasting impact on staff capacity building. It is only fitting to recognise and celebrate you for this remarkable achievement,” Jalloh stated.
In his acceptance remarks, Speaker Segepoh Solomon Thomas expressed profound gratitude for the recognition and praised the PLS Team for their dedication and alignment with the leadership vision of Parliament. He highlighted the noticeable positive shift in staff attitudes and performance since the inception of the Learning Series.
“This award is not just for me but for all of us who are committed to the progress of Parliament. I am truly humbled by this recognition,” Speaker Thomas remarked. “Let me assure you all that I will continue to work tirelessly to ensure everyone in Parliament feels valued and supported. Together, we will achieve more.”
Speaker Thomas reaffirmed his commitment to fostering a culture of excellence and inclusivity within Parliament, underscoring his belief that investing in people is the cornerstone of sustainable institutional success.
The Parliamentary Learning and Sharing Series has undoubtedly cemented its legacy as a transformative initiative under the leadership of Speaker Thomas, setting a benchmark for innovation and staff development in Sierra Leone’s Parliament.
