By: James Kamara-Manneh
The President, Julius Maada Bio after his re-election in the June 24th, 2023 presidential election, has released another list of cabinet ministers and other appointments subject to parliamentary approval. It will be noted that the first list published on the 10th of July 2023 consists of 7 women and the second list published on the 15th of July 2023 features 8 female personalities appointed as Ministers and deputies.
It has also pleased the President to the Leader of the National Grand Coalition (NGC) Dr Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella (KKY) as Chairman of the Presidential Initiative for climate change and food security.
The second batch feature new faces, while some former ministers retain their positions others transferred to other ministries. The most surprising is the appointment of a youthful Information Minister and Civic Education Mr Chernor Bah who many consider a kid in the political arena. Mr Bah has been in the field of advocacy for women and children and has been for a Purposeful Initiative organization. The List features the return of the former controversial Lands Minister as Minister of Works and Public Assets.
One of the two substantive ministers is Dr. Ramatulai Wurie, appointed as the Minister of Higher and Technical Education. She served as Senior Lecturer and Multi-disciplinary researcher at the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences, University of Sierra Leone.
Another substantive minister is Manti Tarawalli, appointed as a Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office. She was serving as the Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs and a pioneer of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Law.
Jeneba Bangura, former Commissioner General of the National Revenue Authority has been appointed as Deputy Minister 1 of the Ministry of Finance.
Francess Paigie Alghali who has been appointed as the deputy minister, of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, was serving as a Minister of State in the Vice President’s Office.
Dr Sao-Kpato Hannah Max-Kyne who serves as Commissioner for the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA) coming in now as Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation.
Some of the appointees were in the previous administration but will now serve in different capacities after Parliament approves their appointment.
However, President Bio has added 26 additional Ministers, 21 additional Deputy Ministers and 10 additional other Presidential Appointees.
On his Twitter page, the president said the new appointees should see their appointment as a National Call to Service and the task ahead deserves every sense of duty and responsibility.
“My new administration will strive to build a safe, secure and prosperous future for Sierra Leone,” Bio expressed optimism.
