Tuesday, 10th February 2026
By: Zacharia Jalloh, Ministry of Information and Civic Education
Introduction:
The Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MoICE) held its Government Weekly Press Conference on 10th February 2026 at the Miatta Conference Centre to update the public on parliamentary procedures relating to amendment bills, the Wages and Compensation Commission, and the arrival of the Budapest-Bamako Rally 2026. The following are the key highlights:
♦ Sierra Leone Improves in Corruption Perception Index
The Honourable Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, announced that Sierra Leone has moved five places up in Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2025. The country improved from 114th position in 2024 to 109th out of 182 countries assessed in 2025.
Minister Bah stated that when President Bio assumed office in 2018, Sierra Leone was ranked 130th, meaning the nation has climbed 21 places during his tenure. In the 2025 CPI, Sierra Leone now ranks above 73 countries globally, including 30 African countries such as Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Kenya.
Minister Bah emphasized that Sierra Leone is making steady progress in the fight against corruption at a time when several major countries are experiencing setbacks.
♦ Mandate of the Wages and Compensation Commission
The Chairman of the Wages and Compensation Commission, Hon. Alhaji Alpha Osman Timbo, Esq., stated that the Commission was established under the visionary leadership of His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio to reform the country’s public sector pay structure.
He explained that the main mandate of the Commission is to determine wages and compensation for public sector employees and ensure equity and merit in remuneration.
Hon. Timbo further noted that the Wages and Compensation Act applies to the President and members of the Executive, the Judiciary, statutory corporations, commissions and government agencies, the Armed Forces, the Sierra Leone Police, other security and intelligence agencies such as the Office of National Security (ONS), and all persons employed and paid from the Consolidated Fund.
♦ Exclusive Authority Over Public Sector Pay
Hon. Alpha Timbo informed the public that all other Acts which previously conferred powers on institutions to determine their respective pay structures have been repealed by Parliament. That responsibility has now been transferred solely to the Wages and Compensation Commission.
According to Hon. Timbo, the Commission now has the exclusive authority to develop and establish mechanisms for determining emoluments, remuneration, and other conditions of service, including pensions and gratuities, for all public sector workers. The Commission also conducts job evaluations, grading, and classification to ensure pay equity across the public sector.
♦ Harmonization and Minimum Wage Increase in 2026
Hon. Timbo confirmed that 2026 marks the commencement of the harmonization process. He stated that low-income earners will be prioritized in order to reduce pay disparities.
He also reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to increasing the minimum wage in 2026.
♦ Parliamentary Procedure on the Constitutional Amendments Bill 2025
The Chairman of the Legislative Committee in Parliament, Hon. Abdul Sulaiman Marrah-Conteh, provided an in-depth explanation of the parliamentary procedures relating to the Constitutional Amendments Bill 2025.
He clarified that the 1991 Constitution clearly outlines the procedures for amending the Constitution or any other bill presented to Parliament.
♦ Stages of a Bill in Parliament
Hon. Marrah-Conteh emphasized that a bill must go through several stages before it becomes law. He explained that the process begins with national consultations to engage citizens. The bill must then be gazetted twice before being sent to Parliament, where it may undergo a pre-legislative hearing due to its importance.
This is followed by the First Reading and Second Reading, during which the Minister in charge presents the bill and parliamentary debate begins. If the bill is technical in nature, it is referred to the Legislative Committee for scrutiny and the preparation of a report.
The Committee’s report is then presented to the Committee of the Whole House during the Third Reading. After debate at this stage, the bill may be passed into law.
♦ Current Status of the Constitutional Amendments Bill
Hon. Marrah-Conteh informed the public that the Constitutional Amendments Bill has completed its introduction and First Reading. Due to the significance of the proposed amendments, the Speaker of Parliament has instructed the Legislative Committee to receive position papers from the public to guide the process.
He confirmed that several position papers have already been received. He further noted that the Constitutional Amendments Bill requires a two-thirds majority to pass both the Second and Third Reading stages.
♦ Entrenched and Non-Entrenched Clauses
Hon. Marrah-Conteh clarified that both entrenched and non-entrenched clauses require a two-thirds majority vote in Parliament for passage. However, entrenched clauses go beyond parliamentary approval and must also receive approval from citizens through a national referendum, which must equally secure a two-thirds majority.
♦ Budapest-Bamako Rally: Sierra Leone Named Permanent Finish Line
The Managing Director of the National Tourist Board, Fatmata Mida Carew, disclosed that the Budapest-Bamako Rally has designated Sierra Leone as its permanent finish line. She described this development as a demonstration of the country’s growing capacity to promote tourism.
Madam Carew also announced that the Rally organizers will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Tourism and Cultural Affairs to ensure that the event concludes in Sierra Leone for the next ten years.
♦ Tourist Arrivals and Economic Impact
Madam Carew announced that approximately 1,200 tourists are expected to participate in the 2026 Budapest-Bamako Rally. So far, 794 tourists have entered the country with 352 vehicles and 200 motorbikes. Another group of 492 participants is expected on 5th March 2026, bringing over 203 additional vehicles.
She described the event as a significant boost to Sierra Leone’s tourism sector.
Madam Carew further explained that the Rally brings substantial economic benefits, as participants stay in the country for several weeks, spend money on accommodation and food, and exchange foreign currency, all of which contribute to national economic growth.
Supporting this point, Minister Bah added that additional benefits include the rebranding of Sierra Leone’s international image and increased activity in the aviation sector, as participants often sell their vehicles locally and book flights to their onward destinations.
