State House, Freetown, Friday 13 June 2025 – His Excellency, President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, today presided over the official swearing-in ceremony of the newly appointed Secretary to the President, Mr. Barba Brima Fortune.
Leading the ceremony, the Secretary to the Cabinet and Head of the Civil Service, Mr. John Sumailah, noted that Mr. Fortune’s swearing-in ceremony is was in accordance with Section 67(4) of the Constitution of Sierra Leone, which mandates that the Secretary to the President must take and subscribe to the oath of office before assuming duty
During the oath-taking event, Mr. Fortune expressed deep gratitude to President Bio for the trust reposed in him, pledging his unwavering commitment to national service and to serving the President diligently in this new capacity.
In his statement, Mr. Fortune described his new role as “an embodiment of the pinnacle of the public service,” highlighting that he brings with him 32 years of unbroken service to the nation.
“I am thankful and profoundly grateful for the opportunity to serve our beloved country at another level,” he stated. “I am confident and determined that I will do justice to Your Excellency’s confidence.”
Mr. Fortune also paid tribute to the Vice President, with whom he has worked closely for the past seven years. He praised the Vice President’s forthrightness, guidance, and diligence, which, he said, contributed significantly to their shared service to the President and the nation.
As the President’s principal adviser on the public service, Mr. Fortune pledged to pay special attention to the civil service, describing it as the nucleus of the public service. He noted that while the civil service is often conservative, it is not resistant to reform.
“The civil service shall continue to maintain its unique posture of neutrality and serve as the most constant factor in governance, providing an audit trail and institutional memory,” he said.”
In his response, President Julius Maada Bio congratulated Mr. Fortune on his appointment, noting that he is no stranger to the responsibilities of the role. The President acknowledged the complexities of the office but expressed strong confidence in Mr. Fortune’s expertise and ability to deliver.
“The public service is the engine of government work here and around the world,” President Bio remarked. “However, changes are necessary to achieve the goals and objectives of this government, especially in revamping this critical sector. I assure you of my full support in this regard.”
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to a transformed, efficient, and professional public service that delivers on the needs and aspirations of the Sierra Leonean people.
