President Koroma administers Oath of Office to new Chief of Defence Staff, Inspector General of Police, and Anti-Corruption Commissioner
President Ernest Bai Koroma today administered the oath of office to the new Chief of Defence Staff of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), Major General Robert Yirra Koroma, the new Inspector General of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP), Mr. Francis Allieu Munu, and the new Commissioner of the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC), Mr. Joseph Kamara, in that order.
At short, formal, and separate ceremonies at State House, the Head of State told the new appointees, who had already got parliamentary approval after the presidential nomination that they were taking over the helm of affairs of very crucial institutions at a very crucial moment in the history of the country.
To the Chief of Defence Staff, the President said, “You have come in at a time when the transformation process of the military is on-going. You have the responsibility to ensure that the military works within the framework of the democratization process, supporting democracy and protecting the country’s territorial integrity… As we are developing a peace-time army, you have to ensure professionalism, as we participate in peace-keeping operations with international standards.” The Commander-In-Chief told his CDS that within the military, the process of right-sizing would continue and the continuous motivation of personnel should be sustained, even as he enjoined him to ensure that the military becomes more relevant to our society by participating in developmental activities like agriculture and engineering: “with your training, background and experience, I know you will live up to the task.”
To the Inspector General of Police, President Koroma said, “You are taking over a challenging responsibility, especially so when there’s a great need for the police force to continue the process of transforming itself and improving its image. We know the process of making it a professional force has started, but there’s still a lot of room for improvement. You have the constitutional responsibility to maintain law and order; and by virtue of your force enforcing the law, you are the government out there, and your effectiveness is very crucial to the development of this country. You are therefore expected to be at the forefront of transforming this country… With the background and experience you have acquired, I believe you will live up to expectations.”
To the ACC Commissioner, the Head of State said, “As a government, we are very clear on the fact that corruption is a cancer in our society; that is why we have taken the stance that has never been taken by any other government in this country. Our position has been robust, and we have put in place one of the toughest anti-corruption laws in Africa, even as we have ensured that the process is given complete and total independence… It is now your responsibility to continue with the process… There are challenges and difficulties, but I assure you that my government is still committed in the fight against corruption until it is minimized to the barest level… With your background and exposure, I am confident you will live up to the people’s expectations.”
Each of the three appointees gave assurance to execute their duties to the best of their abilities after swearing on the Bible.
The Chief of Defence Staff was officially introduced to the President by Minister of Defence Paolo Conteh, while the Inspector General of Police was introduced by Vice President Sam Sumana, and the ACC Commissioner by Secretary to the President E.B. Osho-Coker.
These courtesies were followed by a general ceremony occasioning the formal decoration of the new Chief of Defence Staff in the presence of forces chiefs, family members, and government officials.
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