By: Aminata Sesay
Parliament has unanimously approved 16 presidential nominees for appointment to various public institutions following the consideration of the Second Report of the Committee on Appointments and the Public Service on Thursday, 29 October 2026.
The nominees will serve in institutions responsible for electoral administration, tertiary education, public procurement, child welfare, drug law enforcement, airport management, insurance regulation and road maintenance.
Presenting the report to Parliament, the Acting Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Hon. Bashiru Silikie, said the nominees had been interviewed under oath, with the Committee examining their professional experience, track records, tax obligations, asset declarations and visions for their respective offices.
He said the report reflected the unanimous recommendations of the Committee, chaired by the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma.
Among those approved are Mrs. Madiana Nyanda Boakae Samba as Electoral Commissioner for the Southern Region; Mr. Donald Alpha Bash-Taqui as Chairman of the Tobacco and Nicotine Control Council; Professor John Kargbo as Chairman of the Tertiary Education Commission; and Retired Assistant Inspector General of Police Sahr Yomba Senesie as Chairman of the Advisory Council of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
Other appointments include four members of the National Public Procurement Authority, two members of the Sierra Leone Airport Authority Board of Directors, two members of the Sierra Leone Insurance Commission Board of Directors, three members of the National Commission for Children and one member of the Road Maintenance Fund Administration.
Contributing to the debate, Deputy Opposition Whip I, Hon. Catherine Zainab Tarawallie, congratulated the nominees and thanked President Julius Maada Bio for the appointments. She urged them to demonstrate commitment to national development and encouraged former Members of Parliament among the appointees to continue contributing to the country.
She also called on the NDLEA nominee to intensify efforts to combat drug abuse, particularly among young people.
Hon. Mahawa Sia Tommy, representing Kono District, also commended the nominees and described her father, Mr. Tamba Tandooequima Tommy, appointed to the National Public Procurement Authority, as hardworking, productive and dedicated to national development. She further praised the female nominees for their commitment to public service.
Acting Leader of the Opposition, Hon. Daniel Brima Koroma, expressed concern over the limited number of female nominees and urged those approved to demonstrate competence, professionalism and dedication in their respective positions.
He also called for increased government support to the NDLEA, citing the devastating impact of drug abuse on young people. He encouraged the appointees to remain committed to their responsibilities and deliver effectively.
Concluding the debate on behalf of the Government, Hon. Silikie urged the nominees to justify the confidence placed in them by President Bio. He stressed that public officials must take responsibility for implementing development initiatives and ensuring effective service delivery.
He reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to promoting national development and urged the newly approved nominees not to disappoint the administration through poor performance.