Emerging Public Leaders and Government of Sierra Leone sign MoU for Young Public Service Fellowship in Sierra Leone
Freetown, Sierra Leone (February 4, 2025) - Emerging Public Leaders and the Public Service Commission (PSC) of Sierra Leone signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today at the PSC headquarters, marking the beginning of a new collaboration on the fellowship program in Sierra Leone.
Minister of Public Administration and Political Affairs, Hon. Amara Kallon presided over the signing of the MoU which was attended by Deputy Minister of Public Administration and Political Affairs, Hon. Philip Tetema Tondoneh; Secretary to Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service, Hon. John Sumailah; Principal of the Civil Service Training College, Dr. Victor Massaquoi; Chairman of the PSC, Kalilu Omaro Bah; Secretary of the Public Service Commission, Mohamed Jusu; Director of Public Sector Reform Unit, Sulaiman Phoray-Musa; as well as Executive Director of Emerging Public Leaders, Abigail Kajumba and Director of Programs and Learning of Emerging Public Leaders, Richard Okai.
The partnership aims to empower young Sierra Leonean graduates at the heart of government, creating a pipeline of exceptionally talented leaders ready for decision-making roles and high-level responsibilities. By rigorously identifying diverse young professionals, providing them with training and mentorship, and placing them into meaningful public sector positions the program will build a generation of public servants committed to practicing and promoting good governance.
The Chairman of the PSC, Kalilu Omaro Bah, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative, and the commitment demonstrated by Emerging Public Leaders and the leadership of public service in Sierra Leone. He noted the program aligns with H.E. President Julius Maada Bio’s call to reform the public service by incorporating new initiatives and ideas to strengthen ministries, departments, and agencies to deliver effectively on their mandates and also attract and retain experienced and qualified young professionals.
Emerging Public Leaders’ partnership with Sierra Leone began in 2024 with a visit to the Office of the Public Service Commission and the Office of the Civil Service among others to discuss the need to increase accessibility, training, and professional development support for young graduates entering public service, especially young women, people with disabilities, and other marginalized communities.
At the signing, Executive Director of Emerging Public Leaders Abigail Kajumba noted the excitement around Sierra Leone's commitment to public service reform and empowering youth participation in good governance as the next generation of leaders. She thanked the Minister and the other civil servants there for their efforts to build a co-creative and transparent partnership that will ensure the success of the flagship fellowship program and drive meaningful impact across the public sector.
Emerging Public Leaders also thanks our partners at the Mastercard Foundation for their collaboration to deliver the public service fellowship program in Sierra Leone. In the coming months, the partnership will involve consultations to contextualize the curriculum and ensure equitable and ethical leadership remain core to the initiative.
For media inquiries, please contact: Penelope Mawson, penelope@emergingpublicleaders.org
Editors Notes.
About Emerging Public Leaders
Emerging Public Leaders is a public service leadership organization that is preparing the next generation of ethical and effective young public sector leaders in Africa. EPL partners with governments and local organizations to rigorously identify young graduates committed to excellence in public service and promoting good governance throughout Africa. With our support throughout their career journeys, this diverse network of leaders influences and strengthens their country’s institutions for delivering democracy with excellence, care, innovation, and integrity.
