By Francis H. Murray
In his first reshuffle in 2021, President Julius Maada Bio has sacked four major players in his administration. Two senior cabinet ministers, a deputy minister and the head of a major parastatal were shown the door.
The 18 January reshuffle left lands minister (Dr. Dennis Sandi), higher education minister (Prof Aiah Gbakima) and deputy transport minister Sadiq Sillah sacked.
Abu B Kokofelle was sacked as the head of NACSA.
Health minister Dr Alpha Wurie was moved to the ministry of higher education. And in a master strike, Dr Austin Demby was named to replace him. The US-based Dr Demby works for the CDC sister organization and has a wealth of knowledge in infectious diseases.
Dr. Sandy’s dismissal as lands minister comes amid strong public outrage against his handling of the office, with many accusing him of encroaching on the plots of people and institutions.
In a way of expressing resentment from ordinary Sierra Leoneans about the chaotic situation under which the ministry was managed, many who feel aggrieved have taken their fight to social media in attempts to call the attention of authorities concerned, though nothing immediate was done about their plight.
His sacking has sparked much social media frenzy from citizens both locally and internationally, most of whom claim to have been negatively affected one way or the other by the activities of officials of the ministry.
Professor Gbakima’s dismissal is also seen by many to be President Bio’s response to his inability to manage the affairs of state universities across the country leading to a long-running industrial strike by lecturers.
The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development also came under the spotlight, with Reverend Dr. Titus Williams appointed as its deputy minister.
This is believed to be the first of many other reshuffles to come in the coming months.
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