Africa Cabinet Government Network (ACGN)

Supporting inclusive, evidence-informed decisions by African Governments

Key Activities in 2019

Tribute to the late Dr. Ernest Surrur

It is with great sadness that we inform ACGN members and friends of the death of Dr Ernest Surrur.

Dr Surrur passed away on Friday, 1st November 2019.

As you all know, Dr Surrur was the President of the Council of African Cabinet Secretaries, the governing body of ACGN, having been elected as its founding President in 2014 and then re-elected as President in 2016.

In addition to a distinguished career in many senior positions in the Sierra Leone Civil Service, Dr Surrur played a leading role internationally. He was responsible for initiating and guiding far-reaching reforms in the Sierra Leone Cabinet system and led ACGN’s expansion during 2013-2016. He chaired three successful Roundtable Meetings of African Cabinet Secretaries convened by ACGN and also contributed to other international organisations such as the African Association for Public Administration and Management (AAPAM).

He was a tireless supporter of greater collaboration between African Cabinet Secretaries. Just one day before his death, he agreed to travel to Cairo in early December 2019 to represent ACGN at the 2019 AAPAM annual conference. In a message to me the evening before he died, he emphasized his belief that “the unique nature of the problems of Africa can be solved by African Cabinet Secretaries”.

He made a formidable contribution to Cabinet government in his own nation and across Africa. He will be greatly missed.

Our condolences to his many friends and colleagues. And especially to his wife and family at this difficult time.

Mark Johnston
Executive Director, ACGN

If you wish to send a condolence message to his family, please click here to email Finnah, our Operations Manager, who is in Freetown and will make sure it is delivered to his family.