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President Ernest Bai Koroma’s cabinet reshuffle has left the Central Bank of Sierra Leone without a Bank Governor for over two months. The president moved Dr. Samura Kamara, a highly respected financial expert and the Bank Governor, to become Minister of Finance and Economic Development without announcing any replacement during his cabinet reshuffle.
The President acted constitutionally by virtue of the powers vested in him under Section 53 and pursuant to the provisions of Section 56 of the Constitution of Sierra Leone 1991. He thus has the right to hire people for public functions. As the saying goes, the president can hire and fire!
“But why hasn’t the president appointed a Governor to replace Dr. Samura Kamara two months after the reshuffle?” is the question many, mostly from the opposition Sierra Leone People’s Party (SLPP) who claim to have more Ph.Ds in Economics and other similar disciplines, are asking. Some of them ascribe lack of manpower in the ruling All People’s Congress (APC) as the major factor. Others emphasize that President Koroma is yet to sport a blue eye boy/girl for the nerve center of the economy...the central bank of the country.
So far, the Deputy Governor is in charge but limited in undertaking decisions or signing for the capacity of a substantive governor.
The Former Bank Governor now Finance and Economic Development Minister Dr. Samura Kamara is acclaimed by most Central Bank staff members as one of the best Governors in living memory. The bank staff, and economic experts with prying eyes on the economy applaud Dr. Kamara for his wealth of experience in the banking sector both locally and internationally and the tremendous successes he achieved which his predecessor Dr. J.D Rogers may have foundationed. They would have preferred Dr. Kamara to stay with the Bank until President Koroma spots a replacement.
The presence of a Bank Governor now means a lot for staff welfare, fast tracking of the bank’s work and catching up with the time lines set for economic agreements with other economic institutions such as the IMF and the World Bank.
“President Koroma should now pick his choice for the post,” a bank staff said.
This has left some asking whether President Koroma’s All Peoples Congress led administration has a capable name(s) to take over the Central bank in the absence of Dr.Samura.
This was the reshuffle that led Dr. Kamara out of the financial oven of Sierra Leone, to the financial chambers where he is now.
MINISTERS: Finance and Economic Development Dr Samura KamaraForeign Affairs and International Cooperation Mrs Zainab Hawa Bangura Attorney-General and Minister of Justice Mr Abdul Serry-Kamal Information and Communications Alhaji Ibrahim Ben KargboMineral Resources Alhaji Alpha Saahid Bakarr KanuHealth and Sanitation Mr Sheku Tejan KoromaAgriculture, Food Security & Forestry Dr Sam SesayPresidential and Public Affairs Mr Joseph KoromaWorks, Housing and Infrastructure Mr Alimamy P KoromaLands, Country Planning and the Environment Dr Dennis Sandi Defence Major Rtd. Alfred Palo Conteh Internal Affairs, Local Govt Rural Development Dauda Sulaiman Kamara Marine Resources and Fisheries Haja Afsatu KabbaEnergy and Water Resources Prof. Ogunlade DavidsonTourism and Cultural Affairs Mr Hindolo Sumanguru Trye Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs Dr Soccoh Kabia Education, Youth & Sports Dr Minkailu BahEmployment and Social Security Mr Minkailu MansarayTrade and Industry Mr David Carew Transport and Aviation Capt. Allieu Pat Sowe Minister of State, Office of the Vice President Mr Leonard Balogun Koroma Resident Minister, East Mr William Juana SmithResident Minister, South Mr Musa TarawaliResident Minister, North Mr Alie Kamara DEPUTY MINISTERS: Finance and Economic Development 1. Dr Richard Konteh 2. Mr Momodu Kargbo Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mr Vandi Chidi Minah Information and Communications Ms Saidata SesayMineral Resources and Political Affairs Mr Abdul Ignosis KoromaHealth and Sanitation Mr Mohamed Daudis Koroma Agriculture, Food Security and Forestry 1. Mr Ali Badara Mansaray 2. Mr Lovell Thomas Works, Housing and Infrastructure Mr Abdul Babagaleh BarrieLands, Country Planning and the Environment Mr Syl Goba Internal Affairs, Local Government and Rural Development 1. Mr Ibrahim Kaloko 2. Mr Raymond Kabia Marine Resources and Fisheries Ms Rosaline Oya SankohEnergy and Water Resources Mr Martin Bash KamaraTourism and Cultural Affairs Mr Hassan MansaraySocial Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs Mrs Jeneh Kandeh Education, Youth and Sports Dr Algasimu Jah Dr Lansana Nyallay Employment and Social Security Mr Moijueh Kaikai Trade and Industry Ms Mabinty Daramy Transport and Aviation Mr Sylvester Osmond Hanciles With the exception of those retained in office as Ministers and Deputy Ministers, all new appointments were subjected to approval by Parliament. In order to ensure continuity of government outgoing Ministers and Deputy Ministers were advised to remain in post where necessary until the new appointees had been confirmed by parliament and taken the oath of office.
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