Dr. Gaima Appointment: Is it an Attempt to Dilute the Authority of Chief Minister?

By VOS Writer

The appointment of Dr. Gaima Emmanuel Gaima as Principal Executive Adviser to the President on Public Service reform Unit with cabinet rank, has ignited a lot of debates within the political circles. While many have viewed the creation of the new office and the appointment of Dr. Gaima as a significate step in fulfillment of the President Promise to revamp the private service architecture as promised in his big 5 Game changers Manifesto. Others are expressing different shades of opinion, taking into consideration about the timeliness of the appointment and the establishment of the new office.

Before this appointment, Dr. Gaima was the Secretary to the President. His office was a critical player in the Public Service  Reform Unit. The Reporting line in the Public Service Reform Unit  was bestowed upon the Secretary to the President who reports directly to the President. Previously, the Public sector reform Unit was under the direct supervision of the Office of the Chief Minister.

Now Gaima was appointed as Principal Executive Adviser of Public Service Reform Unit, he is going to work and report directly to the President.

This shift in administrative structure has raised question about what will be the future role of the Chief Minister in the Public Service Reform Union, especially when the unit has become an autonomy.

It is not clear in the State House Press release whether responsibilities will be divided to the Chief Minister office or that will change altogether.

Political observers opined that the failure of the State House Press release to give details explanation of the roles and responsibilities of this newly created office as was done during the creation of the office of Presidential initiative on Infrastructure, and Food Security, has created room for confusion in the minds of many, prompting many people to ask the question: “if there is going to be shift in terms of  roles and responsibilities between the Chief Minister Office and Public Service Reform ?. Before now, the Chief Minister office was seen at the forefront championing reform processes. Is that going to change? asked a Civil activist.

However, the timeliness of the appointment is another bread to bit. Social Commentators argued that in as much the new appointment comes after the First Lady broke silence, literally accusing the Chief Minister of playing “double standards”, is something to worry about.  Eventhough the President is still keeping sealed lips on the Koidu Holdings Matter, his silence should not be taken for granted, says a social analyst, noting that this recent decision of the President signals something deeper, an internal recalibration within the system is imminent.While others see this as a strategic attempt to dilute the authority of the Chief Minister Moinina David Sengeh, and redirecting certain powers and oversight functions more directly under the President’s trusted inner circle.

Gaima, neither Chief Minister, hasn’t made any comments regarding same, even though the general public are closely monitoring what will the future hold.