By: Mohamed M. Sesay
In order to commence the activities of President Julius Maada Bio’s Big Five Manifesto with Agriculture serving as the cardinal element, Members of the Sixth Parliament of the Second Republic of Sierra Leone, have on Tuesday the 1st of August 2023, unanimously approved the Minister of Agriculture Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, the Chief Minister Dr. David Moinena Sengeh among other Presidential nominees.
Among the Presidential Nominees approved were; Ambassador Amara Sheikh Mohammad Sowa- Proposed Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Mr. Alfred Moi Jamiru –Proposed Deputy Minister, Ministry of Local Government & Community Affairs, Ms. Phylis Kapu – Proposed Deputy Minister, Ministry of Lands, Housing & Country Planning, Ing. Dr. Eldred Tunde Taylor – Proposed Deputy Minister, Ministry of Energy, Mrs. Emily K. Gogra – Proposed Deputy Minister – Ministry of Basic & Senior Secondary School, Mrs. Christiana Queen Fofanah – Proposed Deputy Minister, Ministry of Works & Public Assets, Mr. Ibrahim Sannoh – Proposed Deputy Minister, Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation, Mr. Kai Lawrence Mbayo – Proposed Deputy Minister , Ministry of Sports, Mr. Hindowa Buakai Bindi – Proposed Deputy Minister, Ministry of Gender & Children’s Affairs, Col. (RTD) Muana Brima Massaquoi – Proposed Deputy Minister, Ministry of Defence, Mr. Sahr B. Hemore- Proposed Deputy Minister, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Theresa Tenneh Dick- Proposed Deputy Minister 1, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Charles Senesie – Proposed Deputy Minister 1- Ministry of Health, Mr. Mohamed Lansana Dumbuya – Proposed Deputy Minister, Ministry of Employment, Labour & Social Security, Dr. Ramatulai Wurie (Haja) – Proposed Minister, Ministry of Technical & Higher Education, Mrs. Haja Isata Abdulai – Kamara – Proposed Deputy Minister, Ministry of Fisheries & Marine Resources, Mrs. Mamusu Massaquoi- Proposed Minister 2, Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary School Education, Mrs. Nabeela Farida Tunis, Minister, Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh – Proposed Chief Minister, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka – Proposed Minister, Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Rev Dr. Jonathan Titus Williams – Proposed Deputy Minister, Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, Dr. Kadijatu Grace A. Kamara, Proposed Deputy Minister, Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Dr. Alfred G.O. Dickson – Proposed Chairman, Sierra Leone Agricultural Research Institute Council ,Mr. Rex Bhonapha, Proposed Deputy, Minister, Ministry of Transport and Aviation, Miss Manty Tarawally- Proposed Minister of State, Vice President’s Office among others.
Presenting the Committee report’s on Appointment and the Public Service, the Chairman of the Committee who doubles and Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business Hon. Mathew S. Nyuma, assured the house that, the Committee on Appointments and the Public Service, in tandem with its constitutional obligations met on Wednesday, 26th and Friday 28th of July, 2023 respectively and interviewed Presidential nominees for the following positions: Ministers, Deputy Ministers for various Ministries, one Ambassador and one Head of Department.
He continued that the Committee maintained strict consistency with its usual established procedures and interviewed the aforesaid nominees on issues pertaining to their educational backgrounds to ensure that they have the relevant education and necessary backup experience to lead such important offices of state. Probing questions covered wide ranging issues relating to track records pertinent to their declared assets, tax obligations and visions for a sustainable and productive tenure. Issues of unsuitability or otherwise were also strictly looked into by the Committee.
After thorough debate, Members of Parliament including the ACTING Leader of the Main Opposition All People’s Congress Party Hon. Mohamed Bangura nodded for the timely approval of the aforementioned Presidential Nominees in order to commence work instantaneously.