By alimamy.jalloh@awokonewspaper.sl
Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – The Director of the Public Sector Reform Unit (PSRU), Sulaiman Phoray-Musa, has emphasized the critical importance of strong internet infrastructure in the successful implementation of Sierra Leone’s new Public Service Master Plan. Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Phoray-Musa highlighted that in order to achieve the strategic transformation outlined in the plan, the country must first enhance its internet capacity.
A Public Service Master Plan is a long-term strategy that outlines the vision for transforming Sierra Leone’s public service, addressing challenges, and building a more professional and responsive civil service. The plan encompasses a wide range of initiatives designed to modernize the public sector, improve governance, and increase accountability.
Kalilu O. Bah, Chairman of the Public Service Commission, shared details on the eight pillars of the current Public Service Master Plan, which are aimed at addressing pressing issues within the public service and modernizing government operations. Bah explained that the plan was developed through a collaborative process that involved multiple stakeholders, including government agencies, professionals, and local communities.
The PSRU is tasked with translating the goals of Sierra Leone’s new Medium-Term National Development Plan (2024-2030) into actionable steps. Phoray-Musa explained that the focus of PSRU’s work is to build a public service that is both professional and responsive to the needs of the people.
Among the key pillars of the Master Plan is the restructuring of Human Resources and the promotion of meritocracy within the public sector. Phoray-Musa explained that the plan seeks to overhaul the existing human resource systems, with an emphasis on recruiting and retaining qualified professionals based on skills and experience. This will create a performance-driven culture within the civil service and provide opportunities for continuous professional development to ensure that public servants are equipped to meet evolving challenges.
Another key pillar of the Master Plan focuses on leveraging Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to enhance public service delivery. Phoray-Musa emphasized that technology would play a central role in streamlining government processes, increasing transparency, and improving accountability. He noted that the Ministry of Political and Public Affairs is working to digitize records, simplify application processes, and reduce paperwork in order to make government services more accessible and responsive, particularly in rural areas.
“By digitizing records and simplifying administrative processes, we aim to create a more accessible government that can better serve citizens in both urban and rural areas,” Phoray-Musa said.
A further critical component of the Master Plan is the decentralization of public services. This initiative will empower regional and local governments to take a more active role in decision-making, which will lead to faster service delivery and more tailored responses to community needs. By decentralizing, the pressure on national agencies will be reduced, and citizens will be able to engage more directly with local authorities.
The plan also includes a strong focus on improving monitoring and accountability. This will help ensure that public services are effectively managed, and resources are used efficiently. Phoray-Musa highlighted that the validation of the Master Plan has already been conducted with feedback from various stakeholders, including representatives from international organizations.
“The collaborative process of the validation exercise ensures that the plan is both comprehensive and realistic, allowing us to set achievable goals and timelines for reform,” he explained.
One of the more ambitious goals of the Master Plan is to shift from manual processes to a fully digital governance system. Phoray-Musa outlined the PSRU’s intention to transform recruitment processes, address wage disparities, and implement performance-based contracts. The ultimate aim is to transition from a paper-based system to an e-governance framework that will streamline public service operations and improve efficiency.
Phoray-Musa concluded by announcing that the transformative Public Service Master Plan will be officially launched by President Julius Maada Bio in November 2024. He noted that this ambitious reform agenda, with its focus on digitalization and capacity building, will help to position Sierra Leone’s public service for the future, ensuring a more efficient, transparent, and responsive government.
“The success of this transformation requires strong internet infrastructure. Without it, we cannot fully realize the potential of digital governance and e-services in Sierra Leone,” he said, underscoring the importance of improving internet capacity as part of the broader reform process.
As the plan moves forward, the PSRU remains focused on supporting the public service sector’s transformation, ensuring that Sierra Leone is able to meet the challenges of the modern age and deliver better services to its citizens. AJ/6/11/2024
