Dakar, Senegal, 27 March 2026 - The African Institute for Economic Development and Planning (IDEP) hosted Amara Kallon, Minister of Public Administration and Political Affairs of Sierra Leone, who paid a courtesy visit aimed at reaffirming IDEP’s growing influence in shaping effective public administration across the continent.
During the visit, Minister Kallon paid tribute to IDEP’s transformational impact on African governance systems, noting that generations of Sierra Leonean leaders were trained at IDEP, including former ministers, senior civil servants, and technical experts.
“This institution has produced the people who are today leading Sierra Leone,” he said. “The legacy of IDEP is making a difference in Africa.”
The Minister highlighted how his own professional journey was influenced by IDEP’s training and how this experience guided his leadership of Sierra Leone’s ambitious public service reform agenda. He recalled that the Ministry he now leads has been transformed over the past five years into one of Sierra Leone’s top governance institutions.
A central highlight of the collaboration is the creation of the Sierra Leone Public Service Academy, an initiative inspired by Minister Kallon’s experience and now backed by comprehensive IDEP support. The official proclamation of the Academy by the President of Sierra Leone is scheduled for 23 July 2026, will mark a major milestone in public sector modernization.
IDEP’s team welcomed the Minister’s strong vote of confidence and reaffirmed the Institute’s commitment to the full operationalization of the Academy, including institutional strengthening and comprehensive capacity‑building efforts. The Sierra Leone Ambassador to Senegal also expressed gratitude and pledged the government’s continued support, noting that many of Sierra Leone’s senior officials are IDEP alumni.
Looking forward, the Minister called for the strengthening of the IDEP Alumni Network, encouraging the creation of regular forums, visiting lectureships, and alumni‑led support initiatives.
“We, the alumni, are scattered across Africa in positions of influence,” he said. “We must come together to support IDEP’s mission and inspire the next generation.”
The session concluded with a renewed commitment from both sides to deepen collaboration and continue advancing public service excellence on the continent. IDEP reaffirmed that Sierra Leone’s reform efforts stand as a flagship example of the Institute’s mission to strengthen African institutions and enhance public administration systems across the region.
Issued by:
Communications Section
Economic Commission for Africa
PO Box 3001
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Tel: +251 11 551 5826
E-mail: eca-info@un.org