New Finance Minister’s Parliamentary Approval Gains Public Endorsement

By Salhaj and Mackisal

Sierra Leone’s newly appointed Finance Minister, Karefa Kargbo, has gained public endorsement and confidence following his recent appointment and nomination by President Julius Maada Bio. Kargbo, a former NPRC member, is widely known to be a disciplinarian, much like President Julius Maada Bio. Kargbo was formerly the Director of Finance at the Petroleum Directorate Office under the government of President Ernest Bai Koroma.

At the Petroleum Directorate Secretariat, Kargbo performed exceptionally, even to the amazement of his critics. He was always ready to ensure that a results-oriented approach became part of his agenda. Before taking this new appointment as Finance Minister, Kargbo was also head of the Sierra Leone Mines and Minerals Wealth Development Fund, an institution created and established by an act of Parliament. Kargbo’s appointment as the new Finance Minister has earned support and recognition from his tribesmen (the Limba).

Within the precincts of Parliament, there are different groups who have come willingly to demonstrate their love and support for Kargbo. In their words, the majority of those interviewed in Parliament said that with Karefa Kargbo as Finance Minister, Sierra Leone stands the chance of regaining its lost glory. In the well of Parliament, Kargbo has been earmarked by parliamentarians who believe in his leadership, having realized that the man now managing the country’s finances is an ex-military man also known to be a disciplinarian. In the words of Ismail Sesay, proprietor of Cage Night Club, and Thomas Pa Ali Babadi, a critical civil rights activist in the country, they told me Karefa Kargbo is a man to watch. For us, this is not only about the Limbas, but about Sierra Leone.

Some SLPP supporters who also spoke to Times SL in Parliament showered accolades on President Bio for appointing a man from Tonko Limba. According to them, an appointment of this nature has the tendency to increase the SLPP’s strength in Kambia, particularly within the Limba community.