The Ministers of Finance and Information yesterday took the oath of office before President Ernest Bai Koroma at State House becoming the first two Ministers to start work.
The oath taking took place a little after the first three Presidential nominees were yesterday (November 18) unanimously approved by Parliament.
The Minister of Finance, David Carew, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mrs Zainab Hawa Bangura and the Minister of Information and Communications Alhaji Ibrahim Ben Kargbo, stood before Parliament as the Honorable Edward Turay Chairman of the parliamentary Appointments Committee read the report and recommendations from that committee which interviewed and scrutinized the three Ministerial nominees.
Mr Eddie Turay proposed that the three nominees be approved as Minister.
This flowed contributions from other Parliamentarians in which they extolled the characters of the three nominees and urged them to be results oriented.
After their approval Ibrahim Ben Kargbo told Awoko “this is an opportunity to serve the state and take part in the turning around of the economy and to improve the standard of living of our people, as well as to develop the media and the communications sector.”
Asked whether focusing on the repeal of the Public Order Act would be one of his top priorities, IB Kargbo said “it is too early to say, I have to go to my office first.”
In Mr David Carew’s initial reactions to his approval he said “I am looking forward to dealing with the challenges that lie ahead; I am not for a minute focusing on the name –Finance Minister-but the task. I am there to achieve.”
He continued “there are a lot of expectations but my task is to manage it and work for the country.”
In her initial reactions Mrs Zainab Hawa Bangura said “I feel honoured and proud to be given the opportunity to serve my country and I promise to give my best.”
She said that her initial priority will be “to ensure that resources are accessed through the international community to support the programmes set by the President for Sierra Leone.”
Mr IB Kargbo and Mr David Carew immediately after their approval took the oath of office at the State House.