As part of a three-day visit to assess preparations for the inaugural Africa Public Sector Human Resource Managers Network (APSHRMN) summit in Sierra Leone, the leadership of the esteemed institution met with Minister of Public Administration and Political Affairs, Amara Kallon, on Thursday, January 28, 2025.
Minister Kallon expressed gratitude to APSHRMN for selecting Sierra Leone to host its 10th summit-the first in the country’s history. He emphasized the significance of the event, noting that his ministry is actively engaging private sector businesses and donor partners to secure local funding. He assured that the summit would maintain a professional focus, free from political influence.
Highlighting the conference’s relevance, the Minister stated that it would provide valuable insights into best practices for human resource (HR) management. He also underscored that the Ministry of Public Administration and Political Affairs (MoPAPA) plays a key role in Pillar 5-Transforming the Public Service Architecture-of the 2024-2030 Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP).
Minister Kallon outlined the ministry’s commitment to public sector reform, emphasizing HR administration as a crucial component. He acknowledged ongoing challenges, including capacity gaps, outdated platforms, policy shifts, and the need for improved gender and social inclusion frameworks. He reaffirmed his ministry’s dedication to enhancing HR management as a pillar of accountable public service reform. “President Bio’s manifesto underscores the need for holistic public service reform,” he stated.
APSHRMN President, Xavier M. Daudi, commended the government and people of Sierra Leone for their hospitality. He reiterated the importance of HR administration and the role of local initiatives in addressing HR challenges. Daudi also briefed Minister Kallon on key findings from the preparedness assessment, including venue selection and the summit’s theme.
Deputy President James Wasagami assured that the conference would convene top HR professionals, academics, and career experts, extending its scope beyond HR performance management to broader public administration leadership.
Meanwhile, Perpetual N.O. Lamptey, Principal HR Manager at Ghana Railway Development Authority, recommended a comprehensive publicity and rebranding strategy to maximize participation and ensure the event’s success.
