Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security for the Government of Sierra Leone, boasts a remarkable academic and professional background. A Harvard University alumnus and a London School of Economics-trained economist, Dr. Kpaka's deep knowledge and vast experience in multinational development institutions, particularly in Africa, make him exceptionally suited for his current role.
In the past, Dr. Kpaka contributed his expertise to the Office of the President as Chief Technical Advisor, being an integral part of the Tony Blair Global Institute (TBI) Advisory Team in Sierra Leone. He also provided effective leadership as an Agriculture Advisor to the previous Minister of Agriculture.
Before his tenure in Sierra Leone, Dr. Kpaka was deeply involved in sustainable agriculture initiatives at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). In this capacity, he co-managed a $10 million project in Tanzania and Uganda, innovating ways to efficiently deliver agricultural technologies to smallholder farmers.
His distinguished career includes significant roles at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the World Bank. At the Gates Foundation, he managed a major agriculture sector portfolio across West and East Africa and India. His work at the World Bank focused on developing policies to enhance the ease of doing business in developing and emerging economies.
Dr. Kpaka, who earned his Ph.D. from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and a BSc in Economics, is also a Public Policy Fellow at the Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University. As the new Minister of Agriculture in Sierra Leone, he is well-equipped to spearhead transformative changes under the President’s flagship Feed Salone programme, leveraging his extensive professional experience and academic expertise.
Dr. Kpaka, alongside his notable professional achievements, is also a devoted family man. Married with two children, Dr. Kpaka makes it a priority to spend quality time with his family, always demonstrating to his children the importance of hard work and dedication.
We will be deliberate about changing the attitudes of farmers and incentives created for them to undertake agriculture as a business. Being a farmer used to be perceived as an esteemed vocation in Sierra Leone. Sowing seeds and reaping the fruits of hard work used to evoke respect and gratitude. Feed Salone is a call to restore the dignity, pride and honour of farming our land.
Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security