By Kemo Cham
Sierra Leone’s President Julius Maada Bio has made a major cabinet reshuffle, following his re-election for second term, with surprised appointments.
Perhaps the biggest change is the appointment of Dr David Moinina Sengeh as Chief Minister, replacing Jacob Jusu Saffa, a hardline Bio ally, who appears to have been dropped out of government.
Mr Sengeh is succeeded at the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education by Conrad Sackey, a new entrant to cabinet.
Another major appointment is that of Timothy Musa Kabba as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. He replaces Prof. David Francis, who appears to have reached the climax of his fall from grace in the Bio administration.
Mr Kabba was Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, a position now held by another new entrant to cabinet, Julius Mattai, who was the head of the National Minerals Agency (NMA).
Francess Piagie Alghali was moved from the Office of the Vice President to Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation as Deputy Minister.
Mohamed Lamin Tarawally and Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura retain their portfolios as Attorney General and Minister of Justice, and Finance Minister, respectively.
Haja Dr Ramatulaye Wurie was appointed Minister of Technical and Higher Education, replacing veteran politician Dr Alpha Wurie.
Mr Sarjoh Aziz Kamara is the Deputy Minister of Technical and Higher Education.
Ibrahim Alpha Sesay is the new Minister of Trade and Industry, replacing Dr. Edward Hinga Sandy, while Fatmata Wurie is the Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry.
Ms Manty Tarawali, former Minister of Gender, is redeployed to the Office of Vice President as State Minister.
Jeneba Bangura, former Deputy Director General of the National Revenue Authority (NRA), is now Deputy Minister of Finance 1, while Bockarie Kalokoh is the Deputy Minister 2.
Umaru Napoleun Koroma is moved from the Ministry of Justice as Deputy Minister to the Mines and Mineral Resources Ministry in the same capacity.
Mrs Emily K. Gogra and Mrs Mamusu Massaquoi both retained their positions as Deputy Ministers 1 and 2 in the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education.
The biggest names to be dropped from the new cabinet so far are Prof. David Francis, Jacob Jusu Saffa and Dr Alpha Wurie.
Several other appointments were made to government departments and agencies by the President, according to the statement signed by Secretary to the President, Dr Julius Sandy. They include the National Revenue Authority (NRA), where the new Director General is Brima Swaray. His two deputies are Mrs Ann Marie Harding and Gerald Ganda.
Mr Mathew Dingie is the new Financial Secretary, replacing his boss Sahr Jusu.
Yankuba Askia Bio is promoted to the position of General Manager of the Sierra Leone Ports Authority, replacing his boss Dr Abdulai Fofana. Mr Bio is deputized by Mrs Judith Kosseh.
Appointments were also made to the National Communications Authority with Amara Brewah as its Director General, to be deputized by Mrs Mariama Koroma.
