Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698830022073.pdf (Sierra Leone)
1 HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT OAU DRIVE, TOWER HILL FREETOWN E-mail: 0 Usierraleoneparliament@hotmail.comU T UFOURTH SESSION OF THE FOURTH PARLIAMENT OF THE SECOND REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE UFOURTH REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON APPOINTMENTS UAND THE PUBLIC SERVICE ON PARLIAMENTARY VETTING UOF PRESIDENTIAL NOMINATIONS 1.
UINTRODUCTION Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, the Committee on Appointments and the th Public Service, alive to its constitutional responsibilities, met on Wednesday 30P P March 2016 and interviewed ten Presidential nominees for appointment as follows: i. ii.

iii.

iv.

v. vi.

Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China Deputy Minister of Defence.

Deputy Minister of Education Science and Technology.

Minister of Social Welfare, Gender & Children’s Affairs Justice of the Court of Appeal.
Minister of Youth Affairs.

vii.

Minister of Political and Public Affairs viii.

Minister of Sports ix.

x.

Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs Deputy Minister of Lands, Country Planning and the Environment 2.

UPROCEDURE The Committee conducted the hearings within its set framework of procedures.
The nominees were interviewed on issues pertaining to their educational T 0 2 background to ensure that they have the relevant education and necessary backup experience to man such important offices of state.

Further probing questions put to the nominees covered wide ranging issues relating to their track records in pertinent work situations, declared assets, tax obligations and their vision for a nationally productive tenure.
The Committee did due diligence to issues of unsuitability and constitutionality raised in protest letters against some candidates.

(See minutes of the Fourth sitting attached.)

At this stage I want to take this opportunity to thank members of the public who contributed to the vetting process by providing relevant information to assist the Committee.

By your contributions, you enriched the hearings and I wish to thank you and to encourage you to continue doing so.

3.
3.

FIFTH SITTING OF THE COMMITTEE ON WEDNESDAY 30TH MARCH 2016 3:1 The following nominees were interviewed on oath: i. Hon.

Alimamy Philip Koroma –Proposed Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China Coming from the NGO world, Hon Alimamy P. Koroma was elected Member of Parliament for Constituency 42, Kambia District.

He was appointed a Cabinet Minister soon thereafter and has served as: a.

2007-2009 - Minister of Trade and Industry b.


2009-2013 - Minister of Works, Housing and Infrastructure Answering to probing questions, Hon.

Alimamy P Koroma said, “it is part of my responsibility to represent the interest of Sierra Leone and it’s people in China.

As Ambassador, it will be my duty to uphold, maintain and promote the existing bilateral relations between Sierra Leone and the People’s Republic of China.
I will be there to promote friendly relations, trade, cultural and economic development for the mutual benefits of our two countries, particularly considering the strategic position of China and the needs of our country.

Knowing my responsibility as Ambassador, I will certainly use the platform to ensure that Sierra Leone benefits from what China has to offer to Africa.” Hon.

Alimamy P Koroma promised to put the national interest above all other considerations.

3 ii.

Hon.
3 ii.

Hon.

Captain (Rtd) Abdul Rahman Kamara - Proposed Deputy Minister of Defence Hon.

Captain Abdul Rahman Kamara is a retired military officer who served the Sierra Leone Army from 1970 – 1982.

In March 1996, he was appointed Minister of Lands, Housing and Country in Planning.

In 2007, he contested the general elections and was elected a Member of parliament for Constituency 101.

In Parliament, he was the Chairman of the Committee on Presidential Affairs and Defence.
(2007-2012) In his response to probing questions, Hon.

Captain Abdul Rahman Kamara said that he viewed his nomination as a call to national duty.

“Based on my background, I believe I have the knowledge, experience, competence and the commitment required to man that Ministry.

The military was my first job after leaving school.

I entered the military as an Officer Cadet, attended various Military Colleges abroad and rose through the ranks to the position of Staff Captain.
I served in the administrative, operations and peacekeeping operations abroad which enabled me to bring in certain innovations.

I see my nomination as a unique opportunity offered to enable me complete what I started in the military.

I will draw on the experience obtained in other work situations for the success of the Defense Ministry.” Reacting to further questions, Hon.

Capt.
Capt.

Rtd Abdul Rahman Kamara said,” in executing my duties as the Deputy Minister of Defense I promise to put the interest of the state above all other considerations.

iii.

Dr. Christiana Thorpe – Proposed Deputy Minister of Education Science and Technology Dr. Christian Thorps is a veteran educationist of the Forum for African Women Educationalist (FAWE) fame.

In 2005, she was appointed Chief Electoral Commissioner of Sierra Leone and reappointed for a second term in June, 2010.
Commenting on her transition from the National Electoral Commission to her new assignment as Deputy Minister of Education Science and Technology, Dr. Christiana Thorpe said, “ it is like going back home.

People are usually happy to go back home.

When you have a house that needs renovation, you will be happy to go and do it in whatever capacity.

We are now in the period of post-Ebola recovery and there are various recovery programmes including education.
I hope I will be able to assist with improved learning outcomes in our schools and 4 educational institutions.

I think our school going children must leave school with some knowledge.

The two pillars that should be attended to are improved learning outcomes and school feeding for this post-Ebola recovery period.
I hope that by the time we finish this emergency period in June 2017, the education sector would have been on a firm foundation for our children to be able to compete at any level anywhere in the world.

I only want to give my little expert knowledge to help develop the nation.

Dr. Christiana Thorpe denied currently holding any office in the National Electoral Commission.

iv.

Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden – Proposed Minister of Social Welfare, Gender & Children’s Affairs.
Dr. Sylvia Blyden is a medical doctor, journalist, socio-political commentator, human rights, gender and children’s rights activist, a philanthropist and a politician.
Under questioning, Sylvia Blyden deposed that her vision for the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender & Children’s Affairs, “is to ensure that social development and the rights of all Sierra Leoneans, especially women and children are protected and promoted in general and that the needy are equitably and adequately supported.” Responding to further questions, the nominee said, “I am going to take a lot of patriotism, hard work and vision to the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs.
I am also taking a lot of prayers from the people of Sierra Leone for me to succeed.” Questioned on when she resigned as the “Special Executive Assistant” (SEA) to H. E. the President, Dr. Sylvia Blyden said, “I resigned on September 30th 2014 and that is more than eighteen (18) months ago.” v. Mr. Monfred Momoh Sesay - Proposed Justice of the Court of Appeal After his legal education, Mr. Manfred Momoh Sesay joined the Law Officers Department and has served in the following positions: a.
1999 - 2001 - State Counsel.

5 b.

2001 – 2005 - State Counsel and Acting Customary Law Officer for all the three provinces of Sierra Leone c. 2011 – Date- Principal State Counsel, Law Officers Department with oversight of the three Provinces d. 2005 – 2011- Senior State Council and Acting Customary Law Officer with responsibility for the Eastern and Northern Provinces.

Mr. Manfred Sesay has a wealth of consultancy work experience with UN.

bodies and other international organizations.


Responding to the Committee inquiries, Mr. Monfred Sesay answered that he was looking forward to serve on the Bench “because it’s a change of forum.

At the Bar, I used to do research and make submissions before the Court and that was the end of my job.

On the Bench I would have to listen and take decisions.
So I am excitedly looking forward to going on the Bench to take decisions.” Mr. Monfred Sesay assured the Committee that he will consider other circumstances outside the law in considering judgment but only as far as the law permits.

“The attributes of a good Judge are,” he said, “patience, the ability to listen to all sides of the story, consider all available elements before making an appropriate judgment.” Answering to further questions, he opined that “it is wrong for a judge to take side in a case.
I have had the privilege of prosecuting sexual related offences and sometimes even though I may have been tempted by compelling evidence to get personal.

I have always resisted it because I am not supposed to do that.

It is against the rules.” Questioned on the feasibility of extending the mandate of the local courts, Mr. Monfred Sesay said, “there is a possibility but it has its own serious limitations.
If you bring in lay people who have little or no idea on customary law, which is what the people are dispensing primarily at the local court, there will be more chaos than solution.

I would rather recommend that we increase the number of Magistrate courts at the District level.
The local Courts could then be empowered to handle their cases according to customary law so that litigants, who are not satisfied with the outcome of the local courts, could have the opportunity to go to the Magistrate Court in the District which, would function as an Appeal Court in the District.

There would then be fewer problems than extending the mandate of the local courts.” 6 vi.
Mr. Bai Mahmoud Bangura– Proposed Minister of Youth Affairs Mr. Bai Mahmoud Bangura is a prominent Political Party Youth Activist, Senior Staff writer and Deputy Editor of the “We Yone Press.” Reacting to questions on the issue of uniting the youths of Sierra Leone, Mr. Bai Mahmoud Bangura said that the young people of this country occupy a special place in the heart of His Excellency, the President.

“That is why he has dedicated his ‘Agenda for Prosperity’ to the transformation of youths.
I believe that for us to access the opportunities offered by the ‘Agenda for prosperity,’ youths have to be peaceful and non-violent.

My first task is going to be to condemn violence and to engage the young people of this country to champion the cause of the Agenda for prosperity.” Reacting to further questions on the relationship between the Ministry of Youth Affairs and the Youth Commission, Mr. Bai Mahmoud Bangura assured the Committee that “sanity will be the character of the Ministry under my guard.
The Ministry is the overall policy maker and the Youth Commission was created by an Act of Parliament to specifically address socio-economic issues that affect young people i. e. to implement the projects of the Ministry,” he said.

vii.
vii.

Ms. Nanette Thomas – Proposed Minister of Political & Public Affairs Ms. Nanette Thomas has served as the National Coordinator and Second-in- Command at the Attitudinal and Behavioral Change (ABC) Secretariat Reacting to the Committee’s prompting, Ms. Nanette Thomas assured Members that she will do her very best to reshape domestic politics in Sierra Leone.
“My Ministry will coordinate and work with all political parties, women’s groups, Members of Parliament and their constituents to maintain political tolerance and harmony in the best interest of the country.” viii.

Mr. Ahmed Khanou – Proposed Minister of Sports.

Mr. Ahmed Khanou is the Deputy Minister of Lands, Country Planning and the Environment (2010 – date.)

He had previously served as Assistant Registrar and Senior Assistant Registrar of the West African Examination Council (WAEC) (2002 -2010).
7 In his response to Members’ inquiries about his nomination as Minister of Sports, Mr. Ahmed Khanou said, “I feel both excited and challenged by the problems in that sector.

The excitement is based on the fact that I have a strong passion for young people and for sports and I know what sports have done for me considering my humble background.” Commenting on the task of reactivating sports in the Country, Mr. Ahmed Khanou said that the challenge was a huge responsibility but “I will try to do my best.” ix.
Mr. Sidie Yahya Tunis-Proposed Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs Mr. Sidie Yahya Tunis has served in the Ministry of Health and Sanitation as Health Information officer 2009 – December 20011 and as Head of Information Communication Technology 2012 to date.

Mr. Tunis had previously lived and worked in the United States of America.

(2000 -2009) Mr. Sidie Yahya Tunis was commended across political party lines for his selfless service in the nation’s fight against Ebola.
He was said to have risked his own life to save others and was admonished to continue that good work.

Reacting to the Committee‘s inquiries, Mr. Sidie Yahya Tunis said, “I consider the Ministry of Tourism as another establishment that has the urge to grow so as to maximize its contribution to national development.

For any business to grow, there are some fundamental things that have to be done.

For the tourism sector, we need to invest in infrastructure.
We also need to invest in both human and institutional aspects of tourism.

Most important of all, we need to invest in marketing and rebranding the tourist industry in Sierra Leone.” Mr. Sidie Yahya Tunis promised to do his best to resuscitate the tourist industry.
x. Mr. Mamoud Tarawalie – Proposed Deputy Minister of Lands, Country Planning and the Environment Mr. Mamound Tarawalie started his work-life with the noble profession of a classroom teacher (2002-2005), followed by a brief sojourn in the NGO world (2005-2007) In 2007, he entered politics and has since served in the following capacities: 8 2010-2011 - Deputy Minister of Labour & Social Security 2011- 2012 - Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation 2012 - - Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Technology.
Responding to Member’s inquiries, Mr. Mamound Tarawalie said, “I am aware that I will be going to a very turbulent Ministry, but in the capacity of a Deputy Minister, I will collaborate and cooperate with the Minister to ensure that we rebrand the image of that Ministry to regain the needed public confidence.” Questioned on the issue of land dispute and the falsification of land document in the Ministry, Mr. Mahmoud Tarawalie said, “governance is all about correlation and collaboration and there are other institutions that are relevant to the land issues.
If approved by this Honourable House, I am going to work together with the Minister, the management team and the technocrats of the Ministry to look into and address cases of land disputes and the falsification of land documents.

We shall collaboratively look into the mistakes of the previous administrations and try to ensure that such problems are minimized.” 4.
RECOMMENDATIONS Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, the Committee adjudged the following Presidential nominees to be adequately qualified for their proposed appointments and are recommended to the House for approval: i. ii.

iii.

iv.

v. vi.

vii.

Hon.


Alimamy Philip Koroma- Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China Captain (Rtd) Abdul Rahman Kamara- Deputy Minister of Defence Dr. Christiana Thorpe - Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Technology Dr. Sylvia Blyden - Minister, Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs Mr. Monfred M. Sesay- Justice of the Court of Appeal Mr. Bai Mahmoud Bangura-Minister of Youth Affairs Ms. Nanette Thomas- Minister of Political and Public Affairs 9 viii.
Mr. Ahmed Khanou – Minister of Sports ix.

x. Mr.Sidi Yahya Tunis, Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs Mr. Mamoud Tarawalie - Deputy Minister of Lands, Country Planning and the Environment Mr. Speaker, Honourable Members, the Fourth Report is the unanimous view of the Committee.

I therefore move that the Fourth Report of the Fourth Session of the Committee on Appointments and the Public Service be adopted by the House and that the recommendations contained therein be approved.

Hon.
Hon.

Ibrahim R. Bundu Chairman Date…………………………… 10 HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT OAU DRIVE, TOWER HILL FREETOWN E-mail: 0 T Usierraleoneparliament@hotmail.comU UFOURTH SESSION OF THE FOURTH PARLIAMENT OF THE SECOND REPUBLICOF SIERRA LEONE UMINUTES OF THE FIFTH SITTING OF THE COMMITTEE ON UAPPOINTMENTS ANDTHE PUBLIC SERVICE IN COMMITTEE UROOM NO.1, PARLIAMENT BUILDING, ON WEDNESDAY TH U30U U MARCH 2016 AT 11:00 A. MU.

1.

Prayers - Members observed a moment of silent meditation.

2.
2.

Attendance 2.1 The following Members of the Committee were present.

i. ii.

iii.

iv.

v. vi.

vii.

viii.

ix.

x. xi.

xii.

xiii.

xiv.

Hon.

Ibrahim R. Bundu – Chairman Hon.

Chernor R. M. Bah Hon.

Dr. Bernadette Lahai Hon.

Leonard S. Fofana Hon.

Claude D. M. Kamanda Hon Patrick L M Kargbo Hon.

Komba E. Koedoyoma Hon.

Amadu Kanu Hon.

Benneh Bangura Hon.


Veronica Sesay Hon Jusufu Barry Mansaray Hon Mabinty H Bangura Hon Habib Mundu Hon PC Joseph Alie Kavura Kongomoh II 2.2 The following Members of the Committee were absent: T 0 P U U P 11 i. ii.

Hon.

Alhaji Ansumana Jaia Kaikai Hon Abie Kaloko 4.

PUBLIC HEARING - Hearing was open to the public and the press.

5.

Consideration of Presidential nominations for appointments as listed: 5:1 The following nominees were interviewed on oath: i. ii.

iii.

iv.

v. vi.

vii.


Hon.
Alimamy Philip Koroma- Proposed Ambassador to the People’s Republic of China Captain (Rtd) Abdul Rahman Kamara-Proposed Deputy Minister of Defence Dr. Christiana Thorpe - Proposed Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Technology Dr. Sylvia Blyden –Proposed Minister, Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs Mr. Monfred M. Sesay- Proposed Justice of the Court of Appeal Mr. Bai Mahmoud Bangura-Proposed Minister of Youth Affairs Ms. Nanette Thomas- Proposed Minister of Political and Public Affairs viii.
Mr. Ahmed Khanou – Proposed Minister of Sports ix.

x. Mr.Sidi Yahya Tunis, Proposed Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs Mr. Mamoud Tarawalie – Proposed Deputy Minister of Lands, Country Planning and the Environment 6.

Closed Session 6:1 The Committee unanimously accepted the nomination of all the ten candidates interviewed.
The Committee rose at 5:15 p.m. Director of Committees Peter J. Kulagbanda 12 HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT OAU DRIVE, TOWER HILL FREETOWN E-mail: 0 T Usierraleoneparliament@hotmail.comU UFOURTH SESSION OF THE FOURTH PARLIAMENT OF THE SECOND REPUBLICOF SIERRA LEONE UMINUTES OF THE FOURTH SITTING OF THE COMMITTEE ON UAPPOINTMENTS ANDTHE PUBLIC SERVICE IN COMMITTEE UROOM NO.1, PARLIAMENT BUILDING, ON WEDNESDAY RD U23U U MARCH 2016 AT 11:00 A. MU.

1.

Prayers - Members observed a moment of silent meditation.

2.
2.

Attendance 2.3 The following Members of the Committee were present.

i. ii.

iii.

iv.

v. vi.

vii.

viii.

ix.

x. Hon.

Ibrahim R. Bundu – Chairman Hon.

Leonard S. Fofana Hon Mabinty H Bangura Hon.

Veronica Sesay Hon Jusufu Barry Mansaray Hon Habib Mundu Hon.

Dr. Bernadette Lahai Hon.

Amadu Kanu Hon.

Claude D. M. Kamanda Hon PC Joseph Alie Kavura Kongomoh II 2.4 The following Members of the Committee were absent: i. ii.

iii.

iv.

Hon.

E. K. Koedoyoma Hon.


Benneh Bangu Alhaji Ansumana Jaia Kaikai Hon Patrick L M Kargbo T 0 P U U P 13 v. vi.

Hon.

Chernor R. M. Bah Hon Abie Kaloko 3.

Chairman’s opening remarks Welcoming Members, the Chairman informed the Committee that he had summoned the meeting to discuss issues raised in protest letters, against the ministerial nomination of some candidates that would be appearing shortly before the Committee.
The Chairman referred to a letter of one political party “....requesting the non- approval of: i. ii.
Mohamed Bangura “....who contested the 2012 General Presidential election and lost....” Hence his nomination as a Minister,” according to the protesting party, ” breached Section 56 (2) of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone.” Dr. Christiana Thorpe: on the basis of Section 76 (3) read in tan dem with Section 56 (2) of the 1991 Constitution which states in part that: “Any person who is the holder of any office....in connection with the conduct of any election to Parliament.......shall not be qualified for election to Parliament.” The Chairman referred to a second letter from another Political Party requesting for the rejection of the nominations of: i. ii.
Mr. Mohamed Bangura as Minister because he did not meet the requirement criterion set in Section 56 (2) read in tandem with Section 76(1b) of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone Dr. Sylvia Blyden because she was until recently acting as SEA to the President and by Section 56 (2) read in tandem with Section 76(1b) of the national Constitution, she is “required to have resigned twelve months prior to the date of her nomination.” iii.
Ms. Nanette Thomas because she is in active service as Acting Director of “Attitudinal and Behavourial Change,” and her nomination offends Section 56 (2) read in tandem with Section 76(1b) of the national Constitution.

14 Deliberation and resolution of the Committee The issues were hotly debated and different shades of opinion were frankly expressed with references made to the national Constitution and other relevant laws.

The Committee resolved as follows: i. ii.


Going by the definitions of the types of elections given in the Public Election Act, 2012, Mr. Mohamed did not contest a General election but a Presidential election With reference to Dr. Sylvia Blyden and Ms. Nanette Thomas, the committee argued that they were not contesting an election to parliament but were to be appointed as a Minister.
The committee also referred to section 171(4) of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone which states in parts that: “In this Constitution, the Public Service does not include service in the office of the President, Vice President, Speaker, Minister, Deputy Minister....” The Committee resolved that Dr. Sylvia Blyden and Ms. Nanette Thomas were serving in the office of the President and hence not public officers.
They were not contesting an election and were not required to have resigned twelve months prior to their nominations.

iii.

Dr. Christiana Thorpe –The Committee resolved that Section 76(3) of the 1991 Constitution is referring to a current holder of an electoral office.

The Committee rose at 1:00 p.m. Director of Committees Peter J. Kulagbanda 15 5.

MOHAMED BANGURA – PROPOSED MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND COMMICATION.
Mohamed Bangurahis a rich background in Journalism and Politics 1991 – 2006, he practiced as a Journalist in Sierra Leone and Canada.

In Politics, Mohamed Bangura was: 2006 – 2008 – National Publicity Secretary of the People’s Movement for Democratic change Party (P.M.D.C) 2009 – 2010 – He was the National chairman of the PMDC Party.

2010 – 2016 – Founder and National Chairman and Leader of the United Democratic Movement Part (UDM.)
and Interim Chairman of the All Political Parties Association (APPA) Mr.MohamedBangura-Proposed Minister of Information and Communications Responding to probing inquiries of the Committee on his capacity to serve as the Minister of Information and Communications Mr.MohamedBangurasaid”In brief am a media person I have worked intensively as a Journalist .As a Media Practitioner ,I have worked closely with the media landscape of this country if approved by this noble house of Parliament I will closely with the Parliamentary Committee on Information and Communication to address some of the problems in the in the country with information technology like making the Parliament an e- Parliament and increasing the broad band internet connectivity”.
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