By-Mahmoud Kamara
Government Information Officer MoTA
Freetown, August 14, 2025. The Sierra Leone Ports and Harbours Authority (SLPHA) has emerged as the top-performing agency in the transport sector, according to the 2025 Mid-Term Agency Performance Scores released by the Ministry of Transport and Aviation.
The scores, which assess agency performance from January to June 2025, were unveiled during an inter-agency meeting held at the Ministry’s conference room, 7th Floor, Youyi Building, Freetown. The gathering brought together heads of agencies, directors, senior technical staff, and key personnel from across the sector.
In his opening remarks, Senior Permanent Secretary, Edward Kwame Yankson explained that the performance evaluation followed contracts signed in January 2025, aimed at assessing mid-year achievements and guiding strategic priorities for the remainder of the year and into 2026.
Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Transport and Aviation, Ambassador Colonel (Rtd) Alhaji Fanday Turay Esq., applauded agency heads and staff for their commitment to public service, stressing that the evaluation was intended to motivate, not criticize.
“This assessment is not meant to demoralize any agency,” said Minister Turay. “It is a tool to re-energize our collective efforts toward building a resilient, accountable, and citizen-focused transport sector.”
The Minister also praised the collaboration between the Ministry and its agencies, urging continued teamwork to ensure sector-wide progress that aligns with the government’s Medium-Term National Development Plan and the “Big Five Game Changers” initiative.
Senior Technical Advisor to the Ministry, Ing. Dr. Albert Forde, explained that the assessment was based on five key performance criteria:
- Policy, Strategy & Legislative Support – 20%
- Service Delivery – 20%
- Institutional Administration & Management – 15%
- Accountability & Corruption Eradication – 15%
- Financial Stewardship – 30%
“These criteria are not only benchmarks but roadmaps to improved governance, service quality, and public trust,” Dr. Forde noted. “We expect agencies to improve documentation and internal processes ahead of the year-end evaluations.”
Assistant Director of Transport, William Morgan, presented the agency rankings, with SLPHA leading the chart at 70.1% (Grade A), followed by:
- Sierra Leone Maritime Administration (SLMA) – 55.5% (Grade B-)
- Sierra Leone Civil Aviation Authority (SLCAA) – 49.4% (Grade C)
- Sierra Leone Roads Safety Authority (SLRSA) – 40.5% (Grade C-)
- Sierra Leone National Shipping Agency (SLNSA) – 38.3% (Grade D)
- Sierra Leone Airports Authority (SLAA) – 37.6% (Grade D)
- Sierra Leone Aircraft Accident, Incident and Investigative Bureau (SLAAIIB) – 30.0% (Grade E)
- Sierra Leone Public Transport Authority (SLPTA) – 27.4% (Grade F)
Morgan noted that some of the lower scores were linked to non-submission of key documents, a factor that compromised the ability of evaluators to fairly assess performance.
“This evidence-based evaluation reinforces the need for accurate reporting and stronger institutional coordination,” he said.
In his closing remarks the Deputy Minister of Transport and Aviation, Rex Bhonapha emphasized the Ministry’s continued commitment to transparency, accountability, and service excellence and urged all agencies to align their operations with national development goals and upcoming performance contract targets.
