Ministry of Agriculture Unveils Deputy Ministers, Reinforces Commitment to Food Self-Sufficiency

The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) has formally unveiled its two Deputy Ministers, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening leadership, deepening teamwork, and accelerating progress towards food self-sufficiency in Sierra Leone.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Henry Musa Kpaka, described the appointments as a significant boost to the ministry’s work. He said the two Deputy Ministers are development-oriented leaders whose arrival comes at an important time, as the ministry intensifies efforts to deliver on its mandate.

Dr Kpaka noted that the ministry operates through three key pillars: political, administrative and technical, and stressed the importance of strong coordination across all levels to achieve national goals in agriculture and food security.

Deputy Minister I, Dr Isata Kamanda, expressed appreciation to the staff of the ministry for their support and warm welcome. She pledged her full commitment to working closely with the Minister and all members of staff, underscoring teamwork as essential to advancing the Feed Salone agenda.

Deputy Minister II, Ing. Bryan Smart-Kanu, also thanked staff and commended their continued support to the Minister, particularly in driving forward President Julius Maada Bio’s vision of food self-sufficiency for Sierra Leone. He said his priority is to support the Minister’s leadership and contribute meaningfully to the ministry’s success. He called for unity and collective effort in achieving national food sufficiency.

Also addressing the gathering, Permanent Secretary Mrs Nancy Tengbeh highlighted the ministry’s strong emphasis on teamwork and its reliance on a vibrant and committed workforce to address sector challenges. She said the ministry remains steadfast in promoting food sufficiency and noted that its efforts have received recognition from beyond Sierra Leone. She welcomed the two Deputy Ministers and encouraged open engagement with staff across the ministry.

On behalf of the technical wing, Chief Agriculture Officer Professor Abdulai Jalloh praised Dr Kpaka’s leadership, describing it as focused and committed to elevating the ministry to a higher level. He encouraged the Deputy Ministers to sustain the ministry’s momentum and assured them of the technical team’s continued support.

The unveiling marks another step in the ministry’s efforts to strengthen institutional leadership and advance Sierra Leone’s agricultural transformation agenda.