President Julius Maada Bio has appointed Mr. Baba Brima Fortune as the new Secretary to the President, according to an official release from State House dated Tuesday, June 3, 2025. The appointment was made pursuant to Section 67(1) of the 1991 Constitution of Sierra Leone and signed by Press Secretary Yusuf Keketoma Sandi.
While State House has not provided further details on Mr. Fortune’s background or specific mandate, the announcement adds to a growing list of political appointments that many critics say are bloating the public payroll and deepening mistrust in government at a time of worsening economic hardship.
Public frustration continues to mount as President Bio’s administration is seen to be recycling familiar names and political loyalists into powerful and high-paying roles. The role of Secretary to the President is one of the most influential administrative posts in State House and comes with substantial perks—yet is often filled without public transparency or competitive recruitment.
“This is business as usual. Another appointment, another political reward,” said a civil society advocate who asked not to be named. “Meanwhile, ordinary Sierra Leoneans are dealing with skyrocketing food prices, joblessness, and a healthcare system on its knees.”
The Bio administration has faced repeated criticism for expanding the size of government, creating new offices, and duplicating roles—often to accommodate SLPP party supporters, friends, or political allies. Analysts argue that such moves not only place an unsustainable burden on the national budget but also undermine meritocracy in public service.
Despite the country’s ongoing fiscal challenges, including warnings from international financial institutions about unsustainable public spending, the government has continued to make high-profile appointments with little regard for their economic implications.
“The state is bleeding from corruption and mismanagement, and instead of tightening spending, the presidency continues to operate like a party employment agency,” said Zainab Kallon, a governance commentator.
As Mr. Fortune assumes office, many Sierra Leoneans remain skeptical about whether such appointments will address the country’s pressing governance and development issues—or merely entrench the system of political patronage that has long defined Sierra Leonean politics.
