Sierra Leone’s Transparency and Accountability Committee, led by Chief Whip Hon. Dickson Momoh Rogers, has demanded that the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) office in Pujehun District account for millions of leones spent without proper documentation.
The committee’s findings revealed that approximately 30 million old leones were withdrawn from the bank without clear justification. Additionally, 11.5 million leones were spent on refreshments, and 22 million leones on vehicle rentals for distributing teachers’ materials, all lacking adequate paperwork.
During the questioning, MBSSE’s finance officer, Finnah Mansaray, admitted many of these activities had not been executed and funds were withdrawn based on directives from her superior, Deputy Director Alammy Kamara. The committee has directed MBSSE representatives to reimburse all unaccounted funds to the Consolidated Fund and instructed the Clerk to enforce this mandate and provide receipts for review in future hearings.
This revelation has sparked widespread condemnation among stakeholders demanding greater transparency and accountability in public fund management. The MBSSE, responsible for educating the nation’s youth, now faces intensified scrutiny over these financial irregularities.
The actions of the Transparency and Accountability Committee highlight the government’s commitment to combating corruption and ensuring proper utilization of public resources. As investigations progress, the public eagerly awaits the outcomes and potential repercussions for those implicated in the unauthorized expenditures.
