The Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM) of the University of Sierra Leone has commissioned newly constructed banking facilities and renovated lecture rooms for postgraduate students.
The commissioning ceremony, held on September 23, 2026, brought together representatives from the banking and telecommunications sectors, the IPAM Alumni Association, the University of Sierra Leone administration, the Liberia Institute of Public Administration (LIPA), and members of the media.
The ceremony was chaired by IPAM Project Manager, Mr Alex Thomas.
In his welcome address, Deputy Registrar Albert Samuel Baio expressed appreciation to IPAM’s corporate partners, well-wishers and other stakeholders for their contributions towards the institution’s development.
Deputy Vice Chancellor of IPAM, Prof. Ezekiel Kalvin Duramany-Lakkoh, said the new facilities were developed to address challenges affecting students and improve the learning environment at the institution.
He explained that the banking facilities were conceived after strong winds damaged previous structures on campus, leaving them unsuitable for banking operations. The new facilities are expected to make it easier for students to pay tuition fees and other charges on campus.
The banking facilities will accommodate four commercial banks: Sierra Leone Commercial Bank (SLCB), Rokel Commercial Bank (RCB), Commerce and Mortgage Bank (CMB), and United Bank for Africa (UBA).
Prof. Duramany-Lakkoh also highlighted the importance of providing suitable lecture rooms for Masters students, noting the professional background of many students enrolled in IPAM’s postgraduate programmes.
He expressed optimism that the administration would continue implementing development projects with support from corporate partners, the Alumni Association and other stakeholders.
The Vice Chancellor and Principal of the University of Sierra Leone, Prof. Aiah Lebbie, commended the IPAM administration for its work and encouraged management and staff to continue contributing to the development of the institution.
Prof. Lebbie also appreciated the corporate sponsors and called on former students to join the IPAM Alumni Association and contribute to the growth of their former institution.
Dean of Postgraduate Studies at the University of Sierra Leone, Prof. Ronnie Frazer-Williams, congratulated IPAM on the renovated postgraduate lecture rooms, emphasising the importance of providing a conducive learning environment for Masters students.
The ceremony also marked the commencement of business operations by A Call To Business Bank (ACTB) in partnership with IPAM, as well as the launch of JIT Capital’s Student and Staff Computer Loan Scheme.
The initiatives are aimed at expanding access to financial services while supporting students and staff in meeting their academic and professional needs.
Speaking on behalf of Africell Sierra Leone, Dr Fatmatta Fatou Taqi reaffirmed the telecommunications company’s commitment to implementing its Memorandum of Understanding with IPAM.
She said the Point of Service established at IPAM is intended to support students and staff, including through the Africell Closed User Group (CUG), while facilitating tuition fee payments through Afrimoney.
Taqi said Africell’s support for IPAM forms part of its broader approach to supporting initiatives that complement national development.
President of the IPAM Alumni Association, Mr Rahman Tom Farmar, commended the institution’s administration for its development initiatives and reaffirmed the Alumni Association’s commitment to supporting IPAM.
He encouraged former students to join the association and contribute to the continued development of the institution, while expressing the ambition of positioning IPAM to compete at the global level.
The commissioning ceremony concluded with appreciation from IPAM management and staff to the University authorities, corporate partners, alumni and other stakeholders for their contributions towards the development of the institution.
