Mrs. Melrose Karminty is Sierra Leone’s Minister of Social Welfare. She holds a Master’s degree in International Development Studies from London South Bank University, UK—graduating with distinction—and a Bachelor’s degree from Njala University. She also holds a diploma in Project Management.
She began her professional career as a teacher at the Methodist Girls’ High School and Technical Institute before transitioning into development work. She served as Programme Specialist for the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) programme, and later as Programme Specialist and Acting Country Manager for UN Women. Internationally, she was Lead Gender Consultant for UNDP Somalia, where she developed the national gender policy.
Upon returning to Sierra Leone in 2017, she supported the Sierra Leone People’s Party in developing the New Direction Manifesto. She also served on the Governance Transition Team following President Bio’s 2018 election victory. She was subsequently appointed as Deputy Minister of Works and Public Assets and later Deputy Minister of Local Government. Her exemplary service led to her current appointment as Minister of Social Welfare.