Freetown, 12th August 2026- As I conclude my service as Minister of Finance after more than three years, I wish to express my profound gratitude to His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio for the confidence he placed in me and for giving me the opportunity and privilege to serve our beloved country in this important capacity.
Serving as Minister of Finance has been one of the greatest honours of my professional life. Together, we navigated challenging economic circumstances and worked tirelessly to restore stability, strengthen domestic revenue mobilization, improve fiscal management and build a more resilient foundation for Sierra Leone’s economy.
I extend my deepest appreciation to the entire team at the Ministry of Finance—the leadership, professional and technical staff—whose dedication, sacrifice and professionalism made our collective progress possible. I also thank our development partners, sister ministries, departments and agencies, and all those who supported the Government’s economic priorities.
Above all, I thank the people of Sierra Leone for their patience, support and resilience. Public service is ultimately about the people, and it has been an extraordinary privilege to serve you.
As I hand over this important national responsibility, I assure my successor of my fullest support. I stand ready to assist in any way that may ensure a smooth transition and enable him to succeed. His success will be Sierra Leone’s success. The economic progress of our country must always rise above personalities, positions and individual interests.
I leave the Ministry of Finance with gratitude, humility and a deep sense of fulfilment, confident that the foundations we have collectively strengthened will continue to contribute to the economic progress of our nation. I wish my successor and the entire Ministry every success as they continue this important national responsibility.
May God bless His Excellency the President, Brigadier (Rtd) Dr. Julius Maada Bio and may God continue to bless the Republic of Sierra Leone.
Hon. Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura
Former Minister of Finance
Republic of Sierra Leone
