The Sixth Report of the Committee on Appointments and Public Service, chaired by the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma was on Friday, 27 March 2026 debated and approved by Parliament.
The following presidential nominees were approved by Parliament:
1. Mr. Edmond Sylvester Alpha, Chief Electoral Commissioner and Chairman, Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL)
2. Mr. Gerald Demby Chairman, Board of Directors National Water Resources Management Agency
3. Madam Isata Marah Chairman, National Social Security and Insurance Trust Board of Trustees
4. Ms. Edwina Berewa Esq. Member, Board of Directors, Sierra Leone Commercial Bank (SLBC)
5. Ms. Lucretia Marian Shereef, Member, Board of Directors, Guma Valley Water Company
6. Mr. Yayah Bashiru Kargbo, Member, Board of Trustees, Sierra Leone Students Loan Scheme
7. Mr. Sheikh Rahman Kamara, Member Board of Directors, Sierra Leone Commercial Bank (SLCB) and
8. Mr. Milton Augustine Koroma, Member, National Social Security and Insurance Trust Board of Trustees
Presenting the nominees to the plenary, the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma explained to Members of Parliament how the aforesaid appointees were interviewed. According to the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, the nominees were interviewed under oath and issues pertaining to their experiences gained over the years and track records. He said the Committee followed the right procedures relating to the appointment of the Chief Electoral Commissioner. The Leader said that they also probed into other issues, which included tax obligations, asset declaration, and vision for a productive tenure of their appointments. He proceeded by telling colleague Members of Parliament that other matters regarding the nominees were critically looked into.
Hon. Nyuma also stated that the Report reflects the views of the Committee. He singled out one of the nominees, Edmond Sylvester Alpha, Chief Electoral Commissioner, as someone with integrity and a diligent election administrator. ‘’Out of 17 registered political parties, 13 approved the nomination of the Chief Electoral Commissioner’’, he said. Hon. Nyuma systematically named all political parties that approved the nomination of the Chief Electoral Commissioner.
Seconding the motion, the Deputy Majority and Leader of Government Business 1, Hon. Bashiru Silikie referenced Section 61 of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone, which gave the President the power to hire and fire. He added that appointees are assured of their job only after parliamentary approval and went on to admonish the nominees to prioritize performance over excuses. He singled out the nomination of Edmond Alpha, describing his exceptional character of improving the electoral sector. He said that despite SLPP losing power in 2007, the party worked collaboratively with the previous government for the progress of Sierra Leone. ‘’There is no way, we will bring someone out of Sierra Leone to manage the election, only Sierra Leoneans themselves will manage the elections”, he said. Referencing the tripartite recommendations, the Deputy Leader said, all recommendations in the tripartite have been fulfilled by the Government. He described the APC party as a bad loser and that supporters of the party have been preaching hate messages across the country. He admonished the Chief Electoral Commissioner, Edmond Alpha, to treat his colleague workers at the Commission with atmost respect and work in unity for the development of Sierra Leone. ’’Conduct the upcoming elections with transparency, and that no political party should intimidate you or put you under pressure”, he said. Hon. Bashiru Silikie ended by admonishing all nominees to work devotedly for the growth and development of Sierra Leone.
Hon. PC Kargobai described all appointees as qualified and fit for their various nominations. ’’We know the nominees are qualified and want Parliament to speedily approve them”, he said.
Hon. Mohamed Bangura from Karene District categorically stated that he was speaking on behalf of the opposition. He commended President Julius Maada Bio for being compliant with provisions in the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone regarding the nomination of the appointees. ‘’I’m speaking not only for the APC party but for all opposition parties in the country’’, he said. He also said that the appointment of the Chief Electoral Commissioner was timely for the peace of the country. ‘’This morning, I will be supporting the appointment and approval of the Chief Electoral Commissioner‘’, he said.
Hon. Bangura eloquently delivered an exceptional speech on patriotism. “Country first, and national development,” he maintained. He frowned at the absence of other members of the opposition during parliamentary sittings; and encouraged the opposition to dialogue with the government for the development of Sierra Leone. ‘’If you want to win elections, forget about what the ruling government is doing, focus on strategies to win elections”, he said. He ended by encouraging the Chief Electoral Commissioner to be transparent and diligent in his functions. ’’I want to wholeheartedly support the nomination of Edmond Alpha as the Chief Electoral Commissioner for Sierra Leone and the other nominees”, he ended.
Hon. Neneh Lebbie, Deputy Whip 2, representing Bo District considered the nomination of the Chief Electoral Commissioner as very special and that she believed that Edmond Alpha would bring more developments in the Electoral Commission. She admonished the female nominees to work with dedication and devotion to duties in the various institutions, they have been nominated to serve. “I know, the Chief Electoral Commissioner will serve Sierra Leone diligently’’, she said. Hon. Neneh Lebbie continued that the Female Parliamentary Caucus will conduct monitoring to ensure that women are properly taken care of at the Commission.
In his submission to the debate, the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh began his statement by referencing certain provisions in the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone. He described the APC as a deceitful party and that they wanted nothing good for the party. He described the consultation format of President Bio with respect to the appointment of the Chief Electoral Commissioner as civilized and the right process as inscribed in the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone. He cited Section 89 of the said Constitution and affirmed the full approval of the Chief Electoral Commissioner. He encouraged the Chief Electoral Commissioner to ensure thresholds are met for transparent elections’ observers in the country. He ended by admonishing all nominees to prioritize national interests in their respective institutions.
Concluding the debate on the side of the Government, the Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma said the nominees were vetted by the Committee and could confirm their qualifications and competencies in tandem with their appointments by President Bio. He categorically stated that the current Parliament is not a rubberstamp Parliament and that its leadership is always committed to ensuring due processes are being followed. ‘’The opposition APC party is on record for bad governance in Sierra Leone”, Hon. Nyuma said. Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma said that despite the series of humiliations meted on President Bio, he remained peaceful and diligent to National Development. Referencing the late Solomon Berewa, Hon. Nyuma commended the leadership of SLPP for demonstrating citizenship since after independence for the peace and tranquillity of Sierra Leone. He expressed dissatisfaction over the unpatriotic behaviour of the APC as a political party. ‘’We are not responsible if your education can not make you to be a civilized person’’, he said. Hon. Nyuma added that the Government has no regrets for appointing Edmond Alpha as the Chief Electoral Commissioner of Sierra Leone to manage electoral affairs in the country. Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma concluded by admonishing the Chief Electoral Commissioner and all other nominees to implement their respective expertise for the progress and development of Sierra Leone.
After the approval, the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas encouraged the nominees to diligently work and deliver for the people of Sierra Leone.
Parliamentary and Public Relations Department, Parliament of Sierra Leone
