FREETOWN — In an era where economic growth is dictated by human capital, Sierra Leone faces a paradoxical crisis: a surplus of graduates alongside a desperate shortage of “job-ready” talent. While the jobs exist, the skills often do not.
Leading the skills gap to solve this systemic mismatch is Aminata Kamara, Founder and CEO of Amikam Consulting. At the recent National Labour Day opening event at the Miatta Civic Centre, Kamara chaired a high-level panel that has become the definitive blueprint for workforce development in Sierra Leone.
The Strategy: From Education to Employment
Under Kamara’s leadership, the discussion—themed “From Education to Employment: Tackling Skills Gap – Who Must Do What?”—brought together the highest echelons of government and industry, including Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh.
Kamara is not just identifying problems; she is architecting a coordinated ecosystem. “We have graduates completing their degrees while employers are unable to fill roles,” Kamara noted, highlighting a disconnect that stalls national productivity. Her firm, Amikam Consulting, serves as the bridge, advocating for a “fit for purpose” workforce where education is no longer an isolated ivory tower but an incubator for industry needs.
Beyond the Degree: The New Currency of Talent
The consensus among the private sector titans convened by Kamara is clear: the traditional degree is no longer the sole ticket to entry. Sangeeta Balasubramanyam of Meya Mining and Andrew Sao Fatoma of Africell emphasised that digital literacy, interpersonal competencies, and adaptability are now the primary drivers of recruitment.
However, Kamara’s panel also exposed a critical flaw in current “readiness” programs. Chief People Officer of Sierra Rutile Limited, Monica Tembo, pointed out that many internship programmes have devolved into routine administrative tasks rather than meaningful ones
skill-building.
Dr Joseph Brimah, Director of Policy at the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education, mentioned the steps the Ministry is taking to bridge the skills gap. He said that, though the work is ongoing, they have policies in place to address the skills gap, including changes to curricula to meet employer demands. In response, Amikam Consulting advocates for:
● Structured Mentorship: Moving beyond “observational” internships to hands-on developmental roles.
● Industry-Led Curricula: Supporting the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education’s shift toward “training with industry” through dual apprenticeship systems.
● On-the-Job Investment: Encouraging employers to view training as a productivity investment rather than an expense.
A small business present at the event
A Call to Coordinated Action
As a visionary in workforce strategy, Aminata Kamara isn’t waiting for the future; she is building it. Her closing mandate at the summit was a challenge to all stakeholders: within one year, Sierra Leone must demonstrate tangible improvements in aligning educational outcomes with the realities of the modern market.
For businesses looking to optimise their talent pipeline and for policymakers aiming for sustainable economic growth, the path forward is clear. Through Amikam Consulting, the conversation has shifted from “Why is there a gap?” to “How do we close it together?
