Koroma Sworn In as Labour Minister, Celebrates Mother’s Lifetime Sacrifice

Umaru Napoleon Koroma has officially taken the oath of office as Sierra Leone’s new Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Security, during a ceremony held at State House in Freetown on Tuesday.

The oath was administered by President Julius Maada Bio, alongside the swearing-in of other newly appointed cabinet ministers, deputy ministers and Parliament-approved officials.

Koroma, a former Deputy Minister of Mines and Mineral Resources, used the occasion to publicly honour his 82-year-old mother, Haja Adama Vandy Kamara, whose lifetime of sacrifice he credited for helping him and his siblings overcome poverty and pursue education.

From Koinadugu to Kailahun, through refugee camps in Guinea and eventually to Freetown, Haja Adama Vandy Kamara worked tirelessly to support her children’s education. She reportedly sold kebbe, measured and sold rice by the cup, and undertook various forms of labour to provide for her family.

Despite her advanced age and difficulty walking, she stood alongside her son at State House as he assumed his new responsibilities.

Koroma said bringing his mother to the ceremony was not only an expression of personal gratitude, but also a tribute to the millions of mothers across Sierra Leone whose sacrifices often go unrecognised as they work to secure better futures for their children.

As he begins his tenure as Minister of Labour, Employment and Social Security, Koroma is expected to focus on improving awareness and accessibility of Sierra Leone’s labour laws. During his parliamentary screening, he pledged to make labour legislation more accessible and understandable to both employers and employees.

Drawing on his legal background and previous experience in negotiations involving workers’ welfare and redundancy benefits, Koroma said he would work towards creating a fairer and more transparent environment for Sierra Leone’s workforce.