By Fatima Kpaka
Freetown, August 5, 2025 — The Parliament of Sierra Leone has unanimously approved six presidential nominees following the presentation of the Fifteenth Report of the Committee on Appointments and Public Service. The report, chaired by the Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma, was debated and ratified during Tuesday’s plenary session at Tower Hill.
The approved nominees are expected to play pivotal roles in advancing governance, public service delivery, and national development.
The approved Presidential Nominees are:
Ms. Janneh Jabati – Deputy Minister of Finance II;
Mr. Emmanuel Sahr Tondeneh – Ombudsman;
Mr. Mustapha Mark Lissa – Commissioner, National Shipping Agency; Mr. Joseph Maada Lahai – Commissioner, National Youth Commission; Mr. Alfred Malthus Kobba – Deputy Director General, National Petroleum Regulatory Authority; and Haja Kadie Johnson – Member, Sierra Leone Roads Authority;
Presenting the nominees, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma emphasized that all candidates were thoroughly vetted on August 1, 2025, under oath. The vetting process examined their professional experience, tax compliance, asset declarations, and vision for their respective roles. He affirmed that the committee’s report reflected a unanimous endorsement of their qualifications and suitability.
Seconding the motion, Hon. Aruna Aaron Koroma, Deputy Leader 2 of the Opposition, assured Parliament of the nominees’ competence. He praised the appointment of Ms. Janneh Jabati, highlighting her extensive experience in the economic sector and urging timely resource allocation to ministries and departments to ensure effective service delivery. He also called for reforms to strengthen the Ombudsman’s office, referencing Section 146 of the 1991 Constitution.
Hon. Umu Pyne from Moyamba District commended President Bio’s commitment to gender inclusion, noting the increasing number of women in leadership roles. She encouraged female nominees to prioritize women’s issues and urged Haja Kadie Johnson to advocate for road rehabilitation.
Opposition Leader Hon. Abdul Kargbo stressed the importance of performance and accountability. He called for greater youth empowerment, citing the need to move beyond informal employment like car washes to innovative projects. He raised concerns about drug abuse, particularly the impact of ‘kush’ on young people, and urged adequate funding for the Ombudsman’s office to enhance its effectiveness.
Concluding the debate, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma reiterated that the nominees were selected based on merit and competence. He praised President Julius Maada Bio’s record on gender inclusion, stating that more women have been appointed under his leadership than any previous administration. He also noted recent reductions in the prices of essential commodities such as rice and fuel.
Hon. Nyuma reminded the nominees of their duty to serve the nation diligently and referenced Section 62 of the 1991 Constitution, which empowers the President to appoint and dismiss public officials. He urged all appointees to prioritize national development and contribute meaningfully to the success of President Bio’s administration.