Tuesday 4th August 2026
Venue: Miatta Civic Centre
Key Highlights
By: Zacharia Jalloh
Ministry of Information and Civic Education
Introduction: During the Press Conference, focus was centered on two strategic reform areas central to Sierra Leone’s development agenda: strengthening Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and modernising the Public Service through digital transformation. The following are the key Highlights:
Government Accelerates Digital Public Service Reforms
Minister of Public Administration and Political Affairs, Amara Kallon, announced major reforms to modernise Sierra Leone’s public service through the introduction of the Government of Sierra Leone Digital Human Resource Hub. The initiative is designed to improve efficiency, accountability, transparency and professionalism across Government institutions. He further stated that Government is replacing manual attendance registers with biometric and GPS-enabled attendance monitoring, allowing public servants to electronically check in and out using mobile devices. Attendance will now form part of the core competencies used in staff performance evaluations and promotion decisions, creating a more objective and transparent appraisal system.
Electronic Performance Appraisal to Improve Accountability
Minister Kallon revealed that the new digital platform replaces paper-based performance appraisals with an automated system that calculates employee performance using verified data and annual Key Performance Indicators. He added that the KPIs will be aligned with ministerial targets and the Government’s national development priorities.
Public Service Academy to Strengthen Professional Development
Speaking about the Public Service Academy, Minister Kallon said the Government is reinforcing continuous professional development through the Public Service Academy. He emphasized that, Public officers seeking promotion will be required to complete relevant professional training programmes, ensuring the Civil Service remains competent, responsive and professional.
Real-Time Workforce Monitoring and Digital Workflow
The Digital Human Resource Hub will enable the Government to monitor workforce attendance nationwide in real time while introducing electronic workflow management, digital approvals and electronic signatures. These reforms are expected to reduce administrative delays, minimise paperwork and improve service delivery across ministries, departments and agencies. Minister Kallon further disclosed that approximately 22,000 civil servants are currently being migrated onto the new digital system. He added that the Government is validating and harmonising personnel records to eliminate inconsistencies and establish a single, reliable database that will improve payroll administration, workforce planning and human resource management.
Merit-Based Public Service to Drive Accountability
Minister Kallon emphasised that, the reforms will strengthen merit-based promotions through competency assessments, digital performance tracking and transparent evaluation mechanisms. He added that reducing physical interactions in administrative processes will minimise opportunities for manipulation, promote fairness and reinforce accountability throughout the public service.
Government Prioritises Skills Development Through TVET Reforms
The Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education Sarjoh Aziz-Kamara registered a strong Government commitment to transforming Technical and Vocational Education and Training into a driver of job creation, economic growth and national development. He noted that Government’s investment in education extends beyond increasing access to schooling by ensuring learners acquire practical, industry-relevant skills that respond to labour market demands.
Education Investment Linked to Workforce Development
Deputy Minister Sarjo Aziz-Kamara disclosed that approximately 22% of the national budget is allocated to education, while the Government continues to subsidise more than 80% of staff salaries in public universities. He stressed that these investments must translate into a skilled workforce capable of supporting national development.
Government Strengthens Industry Partnerships and Curriculum Reforms
DM Sarjo Aziz-Kamara further added that, the Government is expanding collaboration with the private sector through the Second Generation Skills Development Project, supported by the World Bank, to ensure technical training aligns with industry needs. Employers, industry experts and members of the TVET Coalition are now actively involved in curriculum development to equip graduates with practical competencies required by the labour market.
TVET Supports Agriculture and the Big Five Game Changers
Mr. Aziz-Kamara further added that, the Government is aligning technical education with the Big Five Game Changers and national development priorities. Collaboration between the Ministries of Technical and Higher Education and Agriculture will produce skilled technicians capable of maintaining agricultural equipment, reducing post-harvest losses and strengthening agricultural value chains to improve food security and economic productivity.
Public Warned Against Unaccredited Institutions
Deputy Minister Aziz-Kamara cautioned prospective students against enrolling in unaccredited technical institutions, emphasising that certificates issued by non-accredited providers have limited value. He encouraged the public to verify the accreditation status of institutions before pursuing technical training.
Civil Society Calls for Stronger Commitment to Technical and Vocational Education
National Coordinator of the Civil Society Movement Sierra Leone, Juliet Anderson, described Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TechVoc) as a central pillar of national development and economic transformation. She emphasised the importance of equipping training institutions with qualified tutors capable of delivering quality technical education while encouraging Government ministers to continue investing in programmes that strengthen the country’s skilled workforce. Anderson also reflected on the technical training institutions established under the post-war Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration (DDR) programme, lamenting that many failed to achieve their intended objectives. She expressed optimism that the Government’s renewed commitment to TechVoc reforms would produce sustainable results and contribute meaningfully to Sierra Leone’s human capital development.
Miss World Sierra Leone 2026 Appeals for National Support
Mariyam Lorba Konneh, Sierra Leone’s representative for the Miss World 2026 competition, informed the public that she will represent the country on the global stage later this year. She appealed to Sierra Leoneans to rally behind her, stressing that she is representing the nation rather than herself. Konneh noted that she will compete against contestants from countries with well-established pageant traditions, including South Africa and the United States, making national support essential to enhancing Sierra Leone’s chances of success at the prestigious international competition.
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