By: Audrey John
The Human Resource Management Office through the Directorate of Human Resource Planning and Budgeting engages MDA’s on their Annual Manpower hearing 2022 for 2023 Fiscal Year on the theme “Proper Human Resource Planning Enhances Efficient Delivery” at the Civil Service Training College, Freetown.
The Director Samuel Coker said the purpose of the hearing is for the Public Service Commission and other relevant Stakeholders engages MDA’s in discussion forum to discuss existing staff and situation in their respective offices to provide a draft to a panel that consists of Directors of the HRMO, Public Commission Service and more to see how these documents are presented with detailed Manpower situations in the office, what they would need in reaching their strategic plans and objectives for the following year are met.
He continued that this is important because this panel sits with the respective Ministries and Departments of Agencies of Government in discussing agreements as a meeting about what they are going to discuss with government inclusive of budgetary package for various appointments for provisions of skilled staffs that are required.
He disclosed about the Budget Hearing that he said starts mid-September with the Ministry of Finance to discuss budgetary discussions to provide fiscal space for their various activities and the Human Resource or Manpower and said will be of a critical aspect which he said is necessary.
Coker said preparations of those reports, which he said forms basis of another vital discussions when the budget hearing are being held especially he said for all MDA’s and government agencies.
The Program he said will last for two weeks of which timetables are out for different schedules of the hearing including the office of the President as the first point of engagement and similar discussions with the provincial offices and develop a report on those hearings.
The Assistant Secretary to the president Mrs. Yei Mbayo give executive summary on their mission, vision and objectives and said Section 40 (1) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone (Act No. 6, 1991) establish the Office of the President. The President is the Head of State with supreme executive authority, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the Fountain of Honor and Justice, the symbol of National Unity and Sovereignty, the guardian of the Constitution, the guarantor of National Independence and Territorial Integrity and ensures respect for Treaties and International Agreements.
In addition to the above, the President is responsible for all constitutional matters concerning legislation, the relations with foreign states, reception of envoys accredited to Sierra Leone and appointment of Principal Representatives of Sierra Leone abroad, the execution of treaties, agreements in the name of Sierra Leone, exercises prerogative of mercy, grants honors and awards, declaration of war and any other matters as may be referred to the President by Parliament.
She further said an executive arm of government, Section 67 (1) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone also establishes the Office of the Secretary to the President whose appointment is at the sole discretion of the President. The Office of the Secretary to the President, headed by the Secretary to the President and staff members are all public offices. Section 67 (2) outlines the functions of the
Secretary to the President as follows:-
(a) To act as the principal adviser to the President on all Public Service matters;
(b) To administer and manage the Office of the President of which he is the Vote Controller, consistent also with Section 12 (1) of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016;
(c) To perform all other functions assigned to him from time to time by the President (e.g coordination of strategic meetings, transmission of vital information to top government officials etc.)
Section 67(3) specifically states that the Office of Secretary to the President and the offices of members of his staff shall be public offices in 2023
She said The Office of the President will provide dedicated and effective leadership for sustainable development and improve the social and economic well-being of the citizenry through the implementation of the “New Direction Agenda.”
Their vision is to transform Sierra Leone into a stable, democratic and prosperous country with an efficient and effective public administrative system for improve Service delivery
To facilitate the implementation of His Excellency the President’s development strategies.
To assist H. E. the President to project and promote the good image and interest of the Republic of Sierra Leone
To ensure an effective and efficient public service delivery
To provide an efficient and effective administrative support to H. E. the President.
To provide general oversight over MDAs with the view to accomplishing the President’s New Direction Agenda.
As indicated in the Mission, Vision, Mandate and Objectives, the Office of the President is pivotal in the governance and development of the country.
HP 1 is the Establishment and Creation of New Posts. The current Establishment is one hundred and ninety-eight (198).
Three (3) new posts are created, which are Chief Cook, Senior Gardener and Assistant Gardener.
HRP 2 is the staff list/nominal roll i.e., staff in post. There is Forty-One (41) staff in post; these are Permanent and Pensionable staff.
Contract staff list is attached. There are 261 contact staff comprising: Presidential Advisers,
Directors, Personal Assistants to the H. E. and the First Lady, Executive Assistant to H. E., Technical
Staff, Professional staff, Media staff, and support staff.
HRP 3 is for wastage due to retirement or abandonment. Four staff are due to retire in 2023.
HRP 4 is request for promotion. Six (6) positions are recommended for promotion in 2023.
HRP 5 is request for appointment. Six (6) positions are recommended for appointment in 2023.
Furthermore, the Office of the President continues to implement its priority infrastructure development projects, among which are the following:
The new Lungi Airport Expansion at completion stage
Government Campus/MDA Offices Project in the District Headquarters
New Universities
The construction of Pedestrian bridges and the installation of traffic lights
Eastern Technical University of Sierra Leone
Traffic Light installation Project
Roads and Bridges Construction
Technical and Cost Evaluation of the New Youth House at King Street (formal Kona Ledge) Cardiovascular and Cancer Treatment Centre at Kerry Town.
