Nationwide consultations on Sierra Leone’s draft Public Service Bill have concluded, marking an important milestone in the Government of Sierra Leone’s efforts to improve public sector governance. The consultations also represent a significant step towards institutionalising structured public–private dialogue, ensuring that businesses, civil society and citizens have a stronger voice in shaping public policy.
Led by the Public Sector Reform Unit and the Public Service Commission, the consultations brought together public servants, local authorities, businesses, civil society organisations and other stakeholders across Kono, Kabala, Kambia, Mattru Jong and Freetown to review the proposed legislation and provide feedback before it is submitted to Parliament.
The Public Service Bill aims to establish a modern framework for a more accountable, transparent and effective public service.
The Public Sector Reform Unit and the Public Service Commission also identified the Bill as an opportunity to demonstrate the value of more inclusive policy-making by engaging in meaningful consultation with businesses, civil society and citizens on the contents of the Bill. To support this objective, they partnered with Invest Salone, a UK-funded private sector development programme, to design and deliver a nationwide consultation programme that ensured stakeholders from across Sierra Leone could contribute their perspectives before the Bill is finalised and submitted to Parliament.
The Chairman of the Public Sector Commission, Kalilu Omoru Bah, said:
The Public Service Bill must be owned by the people of Sierra Leone. These consultations are an opportunity for citizens and stakeholders to review the Bill, raise questions and help shape the final legislation. Our role is to listen, consolidate that feedback and ensure the Bill reflects the aspirations and needs of the people it is designed to serve.
These consultations build on the longstanding partnership between Sierra Leone and the United Kingdom and support the Government of Sierra Leone’s efforts to strengthen and embed public–private dialogue in policy-making.
Since 2021, this has included coordinating private sector engagement on Finance Act reforms, facilitating dialogue with the financial sector, developing a public–private dialogue guide and practical toolkit, demonstrating the value of collaboration between government and business for private sector development, and promoting structured engagement in emerging policy areas such as carbon markets.
By providing a practical opportunity to demonstrate the value of citizen participation in policy-making, the nationwide consultations on the Public Service Bill represent an important stage in Sierra Leone’s journey towards institutionalised public–private dialogue.
Dr Sia Foday-Iscandari, Deputy Team Leader, Invest Salone, said:
Public–private dialogue is most effective when it becomes part of how government develops policy, rather than a one-off consultation exercise. These nationwide consultations demonstrate how bringing together government, businesses, civil society and other stakeholders leads to stronger, more practical legislation.
We are pleased to have collaborated with the Government of Sierra Leone on this important reform and to help ensure business voices are reflected in the consultation. Strong public services create the conditions for a thriving private sector. From taxation and regulation to business registration and certification, the quality of public administration directly influences how businesses invest, operate and grow. The consultation process for this Bill has helped ensure that a broad range of views are considered, contributing to a stronger and more responsive public service.
The Bill will now be revised to reflect feedback received during the consultations before being submitted to Parliament for consideration.
