By: Aminata Sesay
Sierra Leone’s Parliament has unanimously approved six presidential nominees following the presentation and debate of the Ninth Report of the Committee on Appointments and Public Service on Tuesday, 9 June 2026.
The report, presented by the Acting Leader of Government Business, Hon. Bashiru Silikie, recommended the approval of the nominees after a comprehensive vetting process that assessed their professional experience, leadership credentials, tax compliance, asset declarations, and visions for their respective offices.
The approved nominees are Dr. Falla Dominic Lamin – Chairman, Local Government Service Commission; Madam Constance Agnes Sallay Sama – Commissioner, Southern Region, Local Government Service Commission; Madam Esther Bofoe Baryoh – Commissioner, Eastern Region, Local Government Service Commission; Ms. Edna Fatmata Koroma – Commissioner, Northern Region, Local Government Service Commission; Ms. Edleen Elba – Chairperson, National Council for Technical and Vocational Education (NCTVE); and Mr. Isaac Ken Green – Director-General, Sierra Leone Public Transport Authority.
While Members of Parliament overwhelmingly endorsed the appointments, much of the debate focused on strengthening local governance, improving public service delivery, and promoting greater participation of women in leadership.
Seconding the motion, Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay commended President Julius Maada Bio for his continued commitment to appointing women to key leadership positions. She encouraged the female appointees to demonstrate competence, dedication, and professionalism in their new roles, noting that effective leadership by women would further contribute to national development.
Hon. Sesay also expressed concern over the frequent transfers of Chief Administrators within local councils, arguing that such movements disrupt continuity and slow development efforts at the local level.
Several lawmakers highlighted the critical role of local councils in driving community development. Hon. Peter Yamba Koroma called for increased parliamentary attention to council operations and urged authorities to address prolonged acting appointments within local government institutions.
Representing Bo District, Hon. Neneh Lebbie emphasized the importance of local councils in advancing national development and encouraged the nominees to work closely with government institutions to improve essential public services, including sanitation and urban management.
Hon. Saa Emerson Lamina referenced the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), noting that the restoration of local councils was intended to bring governance closer to the people. He urged the nominees to use the Local Government Act of 2022 as a guiding framework in the execution of their duties and advocated for greater fiscal decentralization and capacity-building initiatives for local councils.
The transport sector also featured prominently during the debate. Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara called on the incoming Director-General of Sierra Leone Public Transport to address persistent challenges within the sector and promote efficient and reliable service delivery. He further stressed that women’s empowerment should extend beyond political appointments to create opportunities for women across all sectors of society.
Lawmakers from both the ruling and opposition benches praised the qualifications and professional track records of the nominees. Hon. Moses Edwin described Dr. Falla Dominic Lamin as a man of integrity with the capacity to deliver results, while Hon. Rebecca Yei Kamara highlighted the developmental contributions of Madam Esther Bofoe Baryoh.
Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Abdul Kargbo, expressed confidence in Dr. Lamin’s ability to effectively lead the Local Government Service Commission, citing his longstanding professional reputation and commitment to national development. He also underscored the importance of timely funding for public institutions to enable them to effectively discharge their mandates.
Concluding the debate, Hon. Bashiru Silikie thanked President Bio for what he described as strategic appointments aimed at advancing national development. He urged the nominees to justify the confidence reposed in them through hard work, professionalism, integrity, and collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
The approval of the six nominees reflects Parliament’s confidence in their ability to contribute meaningfully to governance reforms, strengthen public institutions, improve service delivery, and support Sierra Leone’s broader development agenda.