By Sallieu S. Kanu
In a sweeping press briefing held on Tuesday, September 2, 2025, the Ministry of Information and Civic Education unveiled a series of transformative developments spanning diplomacy, public service reform, anti-corruption efforts, and education—signaling a renewed commitment to transparency, innovation, and inclusive growth under President Julius Maada Bio’s administration.
Diplomatic Engagement on Yenga Dispute Deputy Minister Bocakarie Abdel-Aziz Bawoh announced the arrival of a high-level ECOWAS delegation on 26th August to assess the long-standing territorial dispute between Sierra Leone and Guinea over Yenga. Led by Dr. Odigie Brown, the delegation conducted an impartial and inclusive fact-finding mission. Bawoh reiterated Sierra Leone’s dedication to peaceful resolution, emphasizing that diplomacy—not force—is the path forward.
Strategic Academic Partnership with Columbia University In a landmark move, Sierra Leone signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Columbia University, establishing a framework for world-class research and policy collaboration. Minister Chernor Bah and Professor Thoai Ngo formalized the agreement on 27th August, marking a significant step toward global academic integration and capacity building.
Public Service Overhaul and Digital Leap Minister Amara Kallon outlined ambitious reforms aimed at modernizing Sierra Leone’s public sector. The introduction of the country’s first Public Service Policy and Act will be enshrined in the upcoming constitution. A partnership with local IT firm Humnce will digitize HR processes, enhancing transparency and efficiency.
In a bid to improve civil servant welfare, the government signed an MoU with ECCE-G in Guangzhou, China, to provide low-cost housing and electric vehicles. Additionally, Sierra Leone will host over 700 HR professionals at the Bintumani Conference Center in November, positioning itself as a regional leader in public administration.
Anti-Corruption Commission: Progress and Accountability Patrick Sandi of the ACC reported robust strides in combating corruption. Since 2018, the Commission has conducted over 20 risk assessments, yielding 461 recommendations—73% of which have been implemented. Asset declaration compliance is improving, and the ACC continues to investigate unresolved cases, including that of Dr. Vandy Konneh.
Education Transformation Under FQSE Program Augustine Moses Koroma, National Coordinator of the Free Quality School Education initiative, confirmed full delivery of the program’s five core commitments. Since 2018, Sierra Leone has approved 3,000 schools, recruited 12,000 teachers, and increased enrollment from 37% to 85%. Primary education spending surged from 27% to 92%, with retention rates climbing to 129%.
Civil Society Applauds Gains in Girls’ Education Mariama Khai Fornah, CEO of Moving Women for Sustainable Development, lauded the government’s efforts to boost female enrollment. She credited policies like Radical Inclusion and school feeding for unprecedented improvements in girls’ academic performance and participation.