By Mabinty M.Kamara
In the latest reshuffle of cabinet and other agencies and parastatls, President Julius Maada Bio has appointed Alhaji Alpha Saidu Bakar Kanu of the All Peoples Congress (APC) as the Minister of the North -Western Region. Until his appointment, the position was occupied by Haja Isata Abdulai-Kamara who is now the new Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry.
Kanu was the official spokesman of the APC party, a position he held even before the party came to power. Under the erstwhile government of Ernest Bai Koroma, Kanu headed a couple of ministries. He was in 2012 appointed as Minister of Information and Communications. He also served as the Presidential and Public Affairs minister. The former Member of Parliament representing Port Loko also served as Minister of Mines and Natural Resources.
The latest reshuffle also saw the replacement of the suspended Executive Director of the Sierra Leone Roads Safety Authority, Ibrahim Sannoh with Reverend Smart Senesie.
Sadiq Sillah who was sacked as Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation some time ago will now serve as Sierra Leone’s Ambassador to Egypt. Yusuf Abdul Silla has been appointed Managing Director of the Sierra Leone Commercial Bank.
Sheku Fatamandi Bangura and Bockarie Kalokoh were appointed Deputy Minister Finance 1 and 2 respectively. Rev. Abraham James Sesay Jones moves to the Ministry of Lands, Housing and Country Planning as deputy. He was up till this point deputy Minister of Trade and Industry. There were in all 14 appointments.
It could be seen as a minor reshuffling as its centred more on deputy ministers and parastatal heads. Alpha Kanu’s appointment was the most remarkable, having been an influential figure within the APC. Before his new appointment, he was part of the team appointed by President Julius Maada Bio to serve in the COVID 19’s NaCOVERC setup. Kanu has for quite some time been seen attending functions hosted by the present government or making statements defending his presence there.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online (12/01/22)
