Freetown – President Julius Maada Bio on Wednesday, 2 September 2026, presided over the swearing-in of five new members of government at a ceremony in the capital.
The newly sworn-in officials are:
– Mr. Karefa A. Kargbo as Minister of Finance
– Mr. Umaru N. Koroma as Minister of Employment, Labour and Social Security
– Mrs. Jeneba J. Bangura as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
– Dr. Steven A. Jusu as Deputy Minister of Energy II
– Mr. Foday Mousa Fofanah as Deputy Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources
In a post shared after the ceremony, President Bio congratulated the appointees and charged them to serve with diligence, dedication, and a firm commitment to delivering on the government’s promises to the people of Sierra Leone.
The appointments form part of recent changes in the Bio administration. Parliament had earlier approved the nominees on 20 August 2026 after they appeared before the Appointments Committee.
Mr. Karefa Ansumana Francis Kargbo takes over the Finance Ministry at a time of continued focus on revenue mobilisation, expenditure control, and economic management. A Certified Public Accountant and retired Lieutenant Colonel, he previously served as Minister of Foreign Affairs during the NPRC period, held senior roles in the petroleum sector, and more recently headed the Sierra Leone Mines and Minerals Development and Management Corporation.
Mr. Umaru Napoleon Koroma, a lawyer and former Deputy Minister of Justice, steps into the Labour portfolio. He has already signalled plans to make labour laws clearer and more accessible to workers and employers while prioritising job creation and the welfare of both employed and retired Sierra Leoneans.
The other three appointees join key ministries covering foreign affairs, energy, and the vital mining sector.
The ceremony marks the formal start of their duties as they join the effort to push forward the government’s development agenda.
