Freetown, 5th November 2025- After 34 years of distinguished public service, Lieutenant General (Retired) Alhaji Brima Sesay has officially retired, leaving behind a legacy of discipline, humility, and transformative leadership. Fondly known as “Bureh,” Sesay’s career spanned the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces and culminated in his role as Director General of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA).
Appointed by President Julius Maada Bio in November 2020, Sesay took the reins of a fledgling agency navigating the complexities of disaster response. “Disaster management in Sierra Leone was still a new and challenging terrain,” recalls Mohamed L. Bah Esq., NDMA’s Director of Communications. “But General Sesay brought structure where there was uncertainty, and order where there was complexity.”
Under his stewardship, the NDMA evolved into a respected national institution. He expanded its footprint across the country, established regional and district offices, and formed disaster management committees with support from UNDP, deepening local ownership and preparedness.
“He ensured that vulnerable populations were at the center of our disaster response,” Bah noted. “He championed inclusivity by creating the Gender and Inclusion Office, headed by a woman in senior management, ensuring that women, children, and persons with disabilities were not left behind.”
Sesay also spearheaded World Bank–funded projects to strengthen NDMA’s systems, launched the Agency’s Service Delivery Charter, and oversaw the creation of its Situation Room.
Reflecting on their working relationship, Bah shared: “Over the past four years, I’ve had the honor of working closely with General Sesay. He led not only with authority but with humanity. He was firm but kind, always willing to listen. In times of uncertainty, his discipline and wisdom provided clarity.”
“He treated everyone with respect, from senior directors to field officers and believed in empowering staff to deliver their best,” Bah added.
As Sesay steps into retirement, the NDMA celebrates not just what he built, but how he led. “Sierra Leone owes him immense gratitude: for defending the nation in uniform and for protecting its people in times of disaster,” Bah said.
His legacy of integrity, discipline, and service above self will continue to guide the NDMA’s mission to build a safer and more resilient Sierra Leone.
“Enjoy your retirement, boss,” Bah concluded. “May this new chapter bring you rest, good health, and peace of mind.”
