By Alhaji Dauda

 It is usually said that commitment and dedication in the discharge or performance of any assignment bears fruitful dividends. This truism is evident in our everyday lives as evident in the rise of individuals to key positions in society.

 Dr. Hannah Sao Kapto Max-Kyne is just one person who highly believes in working assiduously and according to schedule just in order to get things accomplished excellently and in a timely manner.

As Deputy Commissioner of the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA) she demonstrated such an ability to the admiration of so many people whom have attested that indeed she is somebody to be considered as a true asset rather than a liability and a role model that is worthy of emulation.

She created a niche for herself while serving as the Deputy Commissioner of that important State institution as she was always on top of situations ranging from outshining her peers in stakeholders’ meetings, fruitfully engaging donors, very articulate in radio and TV programs when explaining the position of NaCSA on various issues, ensuring that new initiatives and sub-projects were rolled out in good standards, providing motivation to members of staff, enhancing the welfare of persons with disabilities among a host of other accomplishments she made.

Many people that this medium interviewed said it did not come as any big surprise when three days ago it pleased His Excellency, the President, Dr. Julius Maada Bio to elevate Dr. Hannah Sao Kapto Max-Kyne to the position of Commissioner of that institution.

“Indeed she is such a hardworking personality who is result oriented and has a wealth of experience,” a Social Commentator stated adding that in her new position NaCSA, as an institution, will make a lot of in-roads and contribute greatly towards national development.

Another personality pointed out that indeed Dr. Hannah Sao Kapto Max-Kyne is one of the thrust and engine behind the achievements bagged by NaCSA immediately after the war when the Commission was created to help address the social issues affecting people who were seriously devastated by the war.  

Others expressed the view that her appointment as Commissioner for NaCSA by His Excellence President Maada Bio is a move in the right direction especially as he has contributed in widening the space for women participation in Governance.

For the benefit of those who really do not know much about Dr. Hannah Sao Kapto Max-Kyne an attempt will be made to give a brief synopsis of how she has a wealth of experience in social work in years back, especially with particular reference to the institution she now heads.

In 2002 to 2003 she was the Programme Manager as well as the Admin and Human Resource World Bank Funded Consultant. It was part of the wider national post-war social action which addressed the revitalization of NaCSA’s administrative and human resource components for effective programming as the programme transitioned from a humanitarian and relief provision to development focus.

She is therefore no stranger to NaCSA, which could probably have influenced the President to take her back to her domain or ‘home’ first as Deputy Commissioner and now as Commissioner.

Just before she first served as Deputy Commissioner of NaCSA, the erudite Dr. Max-Kyne was Assistant Director- General for Policy and Technical Cooperation in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The job entailed providing technical oversight TO the Technical and Economic Cooperation Directorate and the Research, Planning and Knowledge Management Directorate.

Previously, she was A Graduate Assistant, Department of African Studies and Research, Howard University, Washington DC, USA where she organized tutorials for undergraduate students, presenting seminar papers and organizing research events and expositions on different topical issues affecting the continent of Africa.

The dynamic and very forward-looking lady worked as Practice Manager with the Special Care LLC in Maryland, USA. The Special Care LLC is a medical facility that provides primary and urgent care medical services at community level to residents of Montgomery and Prince George Counties.

Back home, the newly elevated NaCSA Deputy Commissioner, now Commissioner, was a key figure within the Urban WASH Consortium where she served as Coordinator with her main duties comprising ensuring the effective implementation of the Urban Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Consortium Program, providing donor liaison, contract management with donors and consortium members and inter-agency coordination.

She was Project Coordinator, Peace Building Fund Secretariat, in the Ministry of Finance & Economic Development and her main responsibilities were to ensure increased Government ownership and leadership of the peace building process. It also entailed establishing and maintaining linkages between the UN recipient agencies and the beneficiary organizations, providing technical and secretariat support to the Technical Review Committee.

She really demonstrated this commitment to the consolidation of peace when in 2000 and 2002 she was Programme Manager of Relief, Resettlement and Rehabilitation under the National Commission for Reconstruction ,Resettlement and Rehabilitation(NCRRR) during which she managed and provided oversight for the nationwide relief and resettlement programme of the Government of Sierra Leone and coordinated the affairs of Internally Displaced Persons, ex-combatants including family reunification of child soldiers and Sierra Leonean refugees in neighboring countries of Guinea and Liberia.

The highly accomplished academician holds a Ph.D in Public Policy & Development in African Studies and Research from Howard University in 2016, MBA from Maryland University College in 2013, M.Sc in Sociology and Anthropology in 1992 from the Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria and B.A from Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone in 1990.

Senior staff at NACSA said Dr. Max-Kyne who strongly believes in team work is the most suitable person to put NaCSA at the right pedestal to better ensure that the institution delivers according to its mandate and the expectation of President Bio.

Speaking on behalf of staff, the Senior Director of Programme Development and Quality Assurance, Dr. Susan Robert noted that “ today is a historic day; historic not only for NaCSA and Sierra Leone but for women in particular. This is the first time for a woman to serve as Commissioner of NaCSA. I therefore, encourage all especially female staff to be more supportive.’’ She describes the former Commissioner as a ‘’goodman, a good listener and a true leader with an open-door policy.’’ In climax, she congratulated the newly appointed Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner, thanked the former Commissioner for his service and extended appreciation to the staff for their continued supports and the pledge they have made to support the new leadership.