Commentary

In what can be described as admirable and show of leadership, Hon. Dr. Kandeh K. Yumkella, Energy Sector Lead and Chairman of the Energy Governance Coordination Group (EGCG), extended a warm invitation to his predecessor and elder brother, former Minister Alhaji Kanja Sesay to attend the 2025 Climate Resilience and Energy Transition Dialogue (CRET) held at the Bintumani Conference Center.

The gesture, could be seen as simple yet profoundly symbolic, has drawn widespread praise from across the public. It shows Dr. Yumkella’s belief that national progress; especially in the energy sector thrives on continuity, collaboration, and collective wisdom rather than rivalry or partisanship.

As the current sector lead, Dr. Yumkella publicly expressed appreciation for Alhaji Kanja’s acceptance of his invitation. He emphasized that Sierra Leone’s journey toward energy sovereignty is not the effort of one administration, or leadership at the Ministry of Energy but the result of cumulative progress built over time.

“To reach energy sovereignty, we must continue to build upon the successes of those who came before us,” Dr. Yumkella stated passionately.

“There are projects we inherited that were ongoing, and with the clear direction of His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, we made it a priority to fast-track their completion and remove all bottlenecks.”
Indeed, Dr. Yumkella’s words reflect a deep sense of respect for institutional memory. By recognizing the groundwork laid by Alhaji Kanja Sesay and

Dr. Eldred Taylor, he reminded the public that development is not a win or loose game. It is a continuous relay where every leader must play their part and pass the baton responsibly.

Observers noted that the sight of the current and former energy ministers interacting sent a message of unity and purpose. It demonstrated that leadership, when guided by vision and sincerity, transcends personal ambitions everything that hinders progress.

In doing so, Dr. Yumkella continues to set a high bar for governance; one rooted in integrity, inclusivity, and a genuine commitment to national development.
Credit: Gassimu S. Fofana: Communication and Outreach