January 26, 2022
BY MOHAMED M. SESAY
Honorable Members from all political Parties in Parliament and Independent Members of Parliament, have on Tuesday the 25th of January 2022, approved and commended the appointment of Mr. Bockarie Kalokoh as the new Deputy Minister II in the Ministry of Finance.
Presenting the Committee’s Report for approval, the Acting Leader of Government Business disclosed that Mr. Bockarie Kalokoh, the newly approved Deputy Minister of Finance is a seasoned banker and an astute professional in the banking world with over twenty-five years’ experience.
Until his appointment, he said Mr. Bockarie Kalokoh was the Acting Managing Director of the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank where he transformed the Bank to a digital banking service.
Hon. Bashiru Silikie added that Bockarie Kalokoh holds a double Masters in Business Administration from the United States of America.
He noted that the new Deputy Minister II in the Ministry of Finance is a chartered Accountant and have held several other positions across the country.
Hon Silikie said from 2018-August 2021, Mr. Bockarie Silikie was Deputy Managing Director of the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank from 2010-2017 and was Director of Finance and Administration at the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank; and in 2006-2010, he was Director of Business Development and Special Assistant to the Managing Director.
He continued that Bockarie Kalokoh has contributed immensely to changing the performance trajectory of the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank to the most profitable Bank in Sierra Leone from 2017 to date. He concluded by recommending to the House for an expeditious approval of Mr. Bockarie Kalokoh and the other presidential nominee.
On his Part, the Leader of the National Ground Coalition (NGC) Hon. Kandeh Yumkellah commended President Bio for the appointment of Bockarie Kalokoh as Deputy Minister of Finance II.
He added that Bockarie Kalokoh is somebody is committed to excellence and somebody who has been committed to professional work ethics.
Hon. Kandeh Yumkellah noted that the country’s economy will not grow without vibrant private sector investment and therefore, encouraged Bockarie Kalokoh to bring his private sector experience to the public sector.
He expressed hope that the new Deputy Minister of Finance will add value to the Ministry by bridging the relationship between the private sector and that of the public sector.
On the Part of the Main Opposition All People’s Congress (APC) Party, the Acting Leader Hon. Ibrahim Ben Kargbo disclosed that Bockarie Kalokoh is a man who has made his own name and a man who believes that he can solve his own problem.
He added that Mr. Bockarie Kalokoh has performed well in making sure that the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank achieves it goals.
He concluded by congratulating Mr. Bockarie Kalokoh and also craved the indulgence of the House to speedily approve the nominees.
Presenting other presidential nominees, The Acting Leader further intimated that Mrs. Princess Dugba, the newly approved Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation is a seasoned multi-faceted health practitioner and patriotic person. He added that Mrs. Dugba is an avid advocate of an effective and credible national healthcare service delivery.
He confirmed that the approved Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation holds a Master’s Degree in minor illness and urgent care assessment and management from Unisex University in the United Kingdom.
From February 2019 until her new appointment, Hon. Bashiru Silikie also disclosed that Mrs. Dugba served as the quality care consultant in the Ministry of Health and Sanitation.
The Acting Leader of Government Business Hon. Bashiru Silikie also assured that they interviewed the Presidential Nominees on wide ranging issues pertaining to their educational back ground in ensuring that the nominees have the relevant education and necessary backup experience to hold such important offices. He added that issues around credibility of the nominee were also vetted by the committee on Appointment and the Public Service.