By: Amadu Femoh Sesay – Communications Manager, PSC
In a historic move to modernize governance, the Cabinet has approved the new Public Service Policy, clearing the path for the nation’s first-ever Public Service Act. The decision, made on Wednesday, 22nd October, 2025, marks a major breakthrough in a reform journey that began over a decade ago with an Executive Clearance for restructuring in 2014.
The leadership of the Public Service Commission (PSC) hailed the decision as a “turning point in the reform process.” The Commission expressed gratitude to all contributing institutions and individuals, specifically thanking the Minister of Public Administration and Political Affairs, Hon. Amara Kallon, for his “unwavering commitment and leadership” in steering the policy through Cabinet. Appreciation was also extended to the European Union for its financial support in reviving the policy process and funding nationwide consultations.
The newly approved policy is designed to provide a roadmap for building a more responsive and accountable service that meets the expectations of citizens. Tabling the policy before the Cabinet Combined Standing Committee on 10th September 2025, Minister Kallon emphasized its critical role in modernizing the Public Service. He stated that the overall objective is to create a modern, coherent, and fit-for-purpose legal and policy framework for effective governance, management, and performance.
Minister Kallon outlined the pressing need for reform, noting that over the past two decades, significant but fragmented changes have created overlapping mandates and rendered existing instruments, such as the Public Service Regulations of 1982, inadequate. He disclosed that multiple Act-based Commissions now have human resource functions similar to those of the PSC, leading to a fractured system.
The Chairman of the PSC, Mr. Kalilu Omoru Bah, recently reaffirmed the government’s determination to overhaul the Public Service Architecture. He stressed that the forthcoming Public Service Act would serve as the “…parent legal framework anchoring all ongoing reforms…” and a “broad-spectrum antibiotic that will address all concerns.” Chairman Bah explained that the new legal framework will strengthen accountability, remove overlaps, and empower the PSC to effectively perform its Constitutional mandate.
The final policy document was refined following a directive from the Cabinet Combined Standing Committee for a meeting of the Public Service Policy Technical Working Group (TWG). Chaired by the Secretary to the Commission, Mr. Mohamed Jusu, the TWG meeting aimed to incorporate comments from a wide range of stakeholders, including the Foreign Service, Local Government, Universities, and various Commissions, to ensure inclusivity.
With the Cabinet’s approval now secured, the process moves to the next critical phase: the drafting of the Public Service Bill by the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice. Once enacted by Parliament, this legislation will become the first comprehensive Public Service Act in the history of Sierra Leone.
