By Shadrach Aziz Kamara
Chief Whip of the Opposition, Hon. Abdul Karim Kamara, commonly known as Hon. AKK, has on Thursday 20th August 2026, urged Sierra Leone’s newly appointed Minister of Finance to prioritise economic growth, strengthen domestic revenue mobilisation and empower local businesses as he assumes office.
Speaking in Parliament during the debate on the latest government appointments, the APC representative for Kambia District said the new Minister of Finance was taking over at a critical period when Sierra Leone needed to balance limited resources with growing national demands.
Hon. Kamara congratulated the nominees, but particularly praised the new Minister of Labour, Hon. Omar Napoleon Koroma, whom he described as a courageous and loyal public servant.
He recalled his first encounter with Koroma during his days as a student leader, saying Koroma intervened when he was detained at a police station during a difficult period.
According to Hon. Kamara, Koroma demonstrated courage by standing up for him despite their political differences.
He described the new Labour Minister as an example of perseverance and loyalty, noting that he had remained committed to public service and his political party despite difficult circumstances.
Hon. Kamara urged Koroma to use his new position to address challenges affecting young people, particularly employment opportunities and the enforcement of labour regulations.
Turning to the Ministry of Finance, Hon. Kamara challenged the new Minister to resist political pressure and make decisions based on the country’s economic needs.
He said Sierra Leone has a small economy but enormous development demands, requiring the Minister to distinguish between what is politically desirable and what is economically necessary.
He also urged the Minister to learn from previous holders of the office and to work closely with the financial sector and Parliament to ensure sound economic management.
Hon. Kamara stressed that the Minister must not allow individuals with political influence to interfere with economic policy, warning that such interference had contributed to failures in economic management in the past.
He further called on the new Finance Minister to work with the National Revenue Authority (NRA) to improve revenue collection and reduce leakages.
On the appointment of the new NRA Commissioner-General, Hon. Kamara said the nominee had risen through the ranks of the institution and had firsthand knowledge of its operations and challenges.
He expressed optimism that the new leadership would strengthen the Authority and improve revenue mobilisation.
Hon. Kamara also called for reforms at the Queen Elizabeth II Quay, particularly to address congestion and delays in the clearance of containers.
He said businesses were sometimes forced to wait for extended periods to clear containers, resulting in additional costs that ultimately affect consumers and the wider economy.
The opposition Chief Whip further advocated for the expansion of Sierra Leone’s port infrastructure, arguing that a modern and efficient port would help the country compete more effectively within the sub-region and attract increased business.
He pointed to the movement of containers between neighbouring countries and Sierra Leone as evidence of the need for stronger port facilities and improved logistics.
Hon. Kamara also placed strong emphasis on local content, urging the government to give Sierra Leonean businesses greater opportunities to participate in major economic projects.
He argued that excessive reliance on foreign companies results in significant amounts of money leaving the country, thereby weakening the domestic economy.
According to him, government must create an environment where indigenous entrepreneurs can access opportunities and contribute meaningfully to national development.
He specifically encouraged the government to consider supporting locally owned projects that could generate revenue and employment, arguing that strategic national investment should focus on ventures capable of expanding the economy.
The Kambia MP also criticised what he described as excessive dependence on the NRA for government revenue while other state-owned enterprises with revenue-generating potential remain underutilised or inefficient.
He called for a review of the management and financing of state-owned enterprises, saying the government should invest in institutions that can generate sustainable revenue rather than relying almost exclusively on taxation.
Hon. Kamara further raised concerns about government expenditure on rented office buildings.
He urged the new Finance Minister to review the government’s rental commitments and assess whether existing state-owned properties could be renovated and utilised instead.
He argued that reducing expenditure on rented premises could save the government substantial resources that could be redirected towards development priorities.
The opposition Chief Whip also urged the new Minister of Finance to maintain close cooperation with Parliament and other stakeholders.
He said the new appointments should not merely be seen as political positions but as opportunities for the nominees to demonstrate competence, integrity and patriotism.
Hon. Kamara concluded by reminding the nominees that the same people celebrating their appointments would eventually judge their performance.
He therefore urged them to allow their actions and results to speak for them, stressing that public service should ultimately be guided by conscience, patriotism and the national interest.
