RUNNING THE STATE

JOIN THE DEBATE AND HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF OUR MOTHERLAND

The 2007 elections are over. We now know that Ernest Koroma’s APC will be forming the next government. Congratulations President Ernest Bai Koroma. It is the latter’s prerogative to choose the people to serve in his cabinet. Nevertheless, I think Sierra Leone needs a small and effective cabinet. Large cabinet among others has contributed to the backwardness of our beloved country. So, join the debate to downsize the current cabinet positions below. My proposed list follows this:-

President and Minister of Defence
Vice - President
Minister of Finance
Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
Attorney-General and Minister of Justice
Minister of Development and Economic Planning
Minister of Trade and Industry
Minister of Education, Science and Technology
Minister of Internal Affairs
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security
Minister of Marine Recourses
Minister of Health and Sanitation
Minister of Transport and Communications
Minister of Energy and Power
Minister of Works, Housing and Technical Maintenance
Minister of Mineral Resources
Minister of Labour, Industrial Relation and Social Security
Minister of Local Government
Minister of Information and Broadcasting
Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children's Affairs
Minister of Lands, Country Planning, and the Environment
Minister of Parliamentary and Political Affairs
Minister of Tourism and Culture
Minister of Presidential Affairs
Minister of Youth and Sports

REGIONAL MINISTERS:-
Eastern Province
Northern Province
Southern Province

The following is my proposed list: -
1. President and CIC
2. Vice President. His/her office should have responsibility for development and Economic Planning
3. Minister of Finance
4. Minister of Defence
5. Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
6. Minister of Trade and Industry
7. Minister of Education, Youth and Sport
8. Minister of Internal Affairs and Local Government
9. Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources
10. Minister of Health and the Environment
11. Minister of Transport and Communication, Energy and Power, Technical and Maintenance
12. Minister of Mineral Resources, Lands and Country Planning and Housing
13. Minister of Labour and Social Welfare

Non Ministerial Positions:-
Director of Youth and Sports
Director of Tourism and Culture
Attorney-General
Director of Justice

In my opinion, there should be no place for a Minister of Presidential affairs. The Secretary to the President fulfils that role. No role for Regional Ministers. There functions, if any, should be performed by Provincial Secretaries and others. There should be no place for Parliamentary and Political Affairs Ministers. I have my doubts whether there should be a Minister of Justice or a Director for Justice.
Finally, there should be no place for Deputy Ministers. In the absence of a Cabinet Minister all questions could be addressed to the Permanent Secretary in that department.

Mohamed Yongawo London, UK
Which Cabinet position would you chop and why? Feel free to add names.