Corruption Rife at Sierra Leone’s Basic Senior Secondary School Education Sector
By Thaimu Thullah
In a recent town hall meeting, civil society activist, Alphoso Manley, raised significant concerns regarding the management of resources allocated for the Free Education initiative, one of President Bio’s flagship programs. The funds, provided by the World Bank, are intended to enhance educational opportunities for millions of school-going children in Sierra Leone. However, the mismanagement of these resources poses a serious threat to the progress of the education sector.
While the establishment of a secretariat to oversee the management of these funds was a commendable initiative, reports suggest that it may have devolved into a cartel-like operation, largely controlled by two individuals: Mohamed Kallon, the Procurement Specialist, and Ambrose Sesay, the Project Coordinator, brother-in-law of the Chief Minister. Their actions have raised alarming questions about accountability and governance, as they appear to operate above reproach, disregarding the authority and oversight meant to ensure the proper use of these funds.
Evidence of their misconduct has already manifested in various projects that have stalled, due to selfish and deceptive practices. One notable incident involves the supply of high-end printers and toners, where the bidding process has come under legal scrutiny. Allegations have emerged that Kallon and Sesay awarded the contract to a company that did not participate in the bidding, ultimately deceiving the World Bank by presenting false information. This led to the approval of the contract based on forged statutory documents, despite clear evidence from relevant authorities establishing their fraudulent nature.
Furthermore, the issue of ghost teachers has proven to be an ongoing financial drain on the government. Reports indicate that approximately 15% of the 38,000 registered teachers may not actually exist, leading to estimated monthly losses of Le 6,840,000 (approximately $300,000). To combat this, the government contracted Charlie Goldsmith Associates (CGA) to develop the One Table Per School (OTPS) application, a project costing over two million US dollars, aimed at accurately tracking teacher attendance. Unfortunately, the lack of patriotism and integrity displayed by Kallon and Sesay threatens the success of this initiative, as their focus appears to be on personal gain.
In a troubling turn of events, Ambrose Sesay has attempted to implicate the Minister of Communication and Technology within this ongoing saga. His actions include presenting samples for testing without a proper test plan or expected results, yet he failed to clarify the circumstances surrounding these submissions. Witnesses reported that he was seen entering the Minister’s office, raising further questions about potential collusion. The details of this interaction are expected to come to light in future publications.
The press holds firm in its belief that the technical personnel within the ministry are dedicated professionals committed to maintaining their integrity. This call for accountability must resonate through the corridors of power, urging a thorough investigation into the mismanagement of funds and ensuring that the educational initiatives intended for the youths of Sierra Leone are executed with transparency and integrity. The time for action is now; we cannot afford to let the future of our children be compromised by corruption and mismanagement. It is imperative that all stakeholders work diligently to restore public trust and accountability in the Basic Senior Secondary School Education sector.