President Dr. Julius Maada Bio presided over the signing of Performance Contracts between himself and cabinet ministers on Friday, April 12, 2024 in a significant move aimed at ensuring accountability and efficiency in governance. The ceremony, held at State House, Freetown, marks a commitment by Ministers to deliver on manifesto promises and advance the Government’s agenda.
The Performance Contracts serve as a binding agreement between the President and his cabinet, outlining specific objectives and strategies for achieving them. President Bio emphasized the importance of transparency, accountability, and excellence in governance, stating that as public servants, they must uphold the highest standards of performance and integrity.
In his address, President Bio reiterated his dedication to delivering the dividends of democracy and good governance to the people of Sierra Leone. He underscored the need for leaders to be held accountable for their actions and the judicious utilization of public resources for national development.
The Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, emphasized the significance of the Performance Contracts, describing them as a micro-level performance indicator aimed at tracking and monitoring the government’s progress in delivering on its manifesto commitments, particularly in the area of human capital development.
Civil Society Organizations were represented at the ceremony by Rosaline McCarthy, who commended the Government for its commitment to accountability and engagement with civil society. She stressed the importance of holding duty-bearers accountable for their actions and expressed hope for the success of women and young women signing the contracts.
Chief Minister, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh, expressed optimism for the future, highlighting the ambitious yet achievable targets outlined in the Performance Contracts. He emphasized the alignment of the contracts with the Government’s Big Five Game-changers and the Medium-Term National Development Plan, stressing the importance of collective action towards achieving national goals.
The signing of the Ministerial Performance Contracts reflects President Bio’s commitment to delivering on his mandate and ensuring the effective management of state affairs. It serves as a mechanism for fostering accountability, transparency, and excellence in governance, as the government works towards fulfilling its promises to the people of Sierra Leone.
In another development His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio on the 11th April, 2024 – chaired a crucial meeting of the Development Partnership Committee (DePAC), focusing on the ongoing Constitutional Review Process (CRC). The session, held at the State House, emphasized the Government’s commitment to democratic reform and highlighted recent legislative achievements.
Attorney General, Mohamed Lamin Tarawalley, provided updates during the meeting, noting President Bio’s directive for the conclusion of the CRC following his re-election in June 2023. He underscored the President’s dedication to strengthening democracy and fostering inclusivity in the constitutional review, urging broad participation to ensure the process’s legitimacy and alignment with national interests.
Mohamed Lamin Tarawalley praised the comprehensive nature of the CRC’s report, emphasizing extensive consultations that incorporated diverse perspectives from Sierra Leonean society. The Committee’s operations from 2013 to 2017 involved rigorous engagement to capture the nation’s collective vision for constitutional reform.
Expressing satisfaction with the Government’s response to the CRC’s recommendations, the Attorney General highlighted the alignment between public input and the Government’s White Paper, signaling a significant step towards constitutional revision.
President Julius Maada Bio reiterated the importance of dialogue, debate, and consensus-building within the Committee. He emphasized the principles of inclusivity, transparency, and accountability, urging members to ensure every citizen’s voice I s heard and valued throughout the process.
“With a deep sense of patriotism, we must approach this task with diligence and integrity,” President Bio affirmed, stressing the long-term impact of current decisions on Sierra Leone’s democratic future. He called upon stakeholders to seize the opportunity to build a more robust nation reflective of its people’s aspirations.
The President concluded by expressing gratitude for continued partnership in the endeavor, signaling a unified commitment to advancing democratic principles and fostering national unity.
The meeting underscored President Bio’s leadership in driving transformative reforms, positioning Sierra Leone for a future anchored in democratic values and inclusive governance.
