MoPAPA STRENGTHENS PUBLIC AWARENESS AND MEDIA ENGAGEMENT ACROSS SIERRA LEONE

Transforming the Public Service Through Information, Awareness and Citizen Engagement

The Government of Sierra Leone has placed public service transformation at the centre of its governance and national development agenda. The Ministry of Public Administration and Political Affairs (MoPAPA), as the coordinating institution for public administration reforms, is spearheading efforts to improve the organisation, professionalism, efficiency, accountability and performance of the Public Service.

These reforms are aligned with the Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) 2024–2030, particularly Change Five, “Transforming the Public Service Architecture,” and the Plan's emphasis on E-Governance.

Recognising that sustainable reforms require public understanding, participation and support, MoPAPA implemented a public awareness campaign under MAPE Activity 3.1.6.2, supported by the European Union through the Civil Service Reform Component of the Multi-Annual Programme Estimate (MAPE). The campaign was designed to inform citizens, public servants, media practitioners and other stakeholders about ongoing reforms, their objectives, implementation progress and expected benefits.

Taking Public Service Reforms Beyond Freetown

Beginning in June 2026, MoPAPA extended public service reform awareness across the country through one-on-one radio discussions and media engagements in Kenema, Bo, Bombali/Makeni and Port Loko.

The regional engagements provided opportunities to explain the national reform agenda in accessible language, respond to questions and listen to public concerns. By using radio as a communication channel, the Ministry reached beyond government institutions and brought discussions on public sector transformation closer to citizens and communities.

The engagements also reinforced the message that public service reform is a national responsibility that requires the involvement of government institutions, public servants, citizens and development partners.

MoPAPA Engages the Fourth Estate in Freetown

The regional campaign was further strengthened through a press conference and interactive public awareness session held in Freetown on 19 October 2026. The engagement brought together media representatives, citizens, public servants and relevant public institutions to discuss the progress and priorities of the Government's public service reform programme.

The session provided a platform for MoPAPA and institutional representatives to communicate updates on ongoing reform initiatives, explain implementation priorities and respond to questions from participants.

The engagement also strengthened the relationship between the Ministry and the Fourth Estate, highlighting the importance of accurate reporting, transparency, independent scrutiny and constructive public dialogue in the reform process.

Why Public Awareness Matters

Public service transformation goes beyond policy development and administrative restructuring. Its ultimate purpose is to improve the way government institutions function and the quality of services delivered to citizens.

The campaign therefore sought to bridge the information gap between government and the public by explaining what is changing, why reforms are necessary and how citizens can contribute. It also encouraged public servants to embrace professionalism, integrity, accountability, innovation and improved performance.

For the media, the engagements created opportunities to obtain information directly from the Ministry, seek clarification on technical issues and provide balanced coverage of reform developments.

The campaign has established and strengthened communication channels for continued public engagement. Its contribution will be further assessed through broadcast records, audience data, media monitoring and stakeholder feedback rather than unsupported estimates of audience reach or changes in public attitudes.

Sustaining Public Awareness: The Way Forward

Building on the regional radio discussions and Freetown press conference, MoPAPA recognises the need to institutionalise public communication as an integral part of public service reform implementation.

Priority actions include developing a coordinated Public Service Reform Communication Strategy, strengthening the Ministry's media relations function, establishing a dedicated reform information hub and conducting regular media briefings. The Ministry also intends to expand community-level engagement and the use of local languages to reach a wider population.

Furthermore, a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed with the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation (SLBC) to support sustained public education on public service reforms.

A measurable monitoring and evaluation framework will also be important in assessing media coverage, audience reach, public feedback and the effectiveness of future awareness activities.

A Collective Responsibility for Transformation

MoPAPA calls on citizens, public servants, media institutions and development partners to remain informed and actively engaged in the public service transformation process. Public servants are encouraged to embrace professionalism, integrity and service excellence, while citizens are encouraged to participate in public discussions and provide feedback on service delivery.

The media is equally encouraged to uphold accuracy, independence, fairness and constructive scrutiny in reporting on public sector reforms.

The Ministry expresses its sincere appreciation to the European Union (EU) for funding this activity under the Civil Service Reform Component of the Multi-Annual Programme Estimate (MAPE). This support has contributed to strengthening public awareness, promoting dialogue and bringing public service reform discussions closer to citizens across Sierra Leone.

Together, through information, dialogue, accountability and collective action, we can build a more professional, efficient, responsive and citizen-centred Public Service for Sierra Leone.