Freetown, Sierra Leone – October 23, 2024 – The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has issued a stern warning to heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) involved in the implementation of donor-funded projects, urging them to adhere strictly to laid down procedures and regulations.
The commission has expressed concerns over the mishandling of donor projects, which has led to financial losses for the Government of Sierra Leone.
In a press release, the ACC stated that several heads of MDAs and fiduciary staff have failed to properly implement donor projects, resulting in the government being forced to make refunds to donors when project standards are not met. The Commission emphasized that it will hold public officials personally accountable for any mismanagement of donor funds.
The ACC outlined a series of measures that must be followed to avoid serious consequences. Among these, officials were reminded that “all payments made after the project closing date are considered ineligible expenditures unless expressly approved by the donor.”
Additionally, any disbursements made without proper retirement or justification of previously received funds will be scrutinized.
“Public officials must ensure that all activities align with the approved Annual Work Plan, and any changes to this plan must be explicitly approved by the donors,” the release stated.
The ACC also stressed the importance of maintaining dormant project bank accounts after the project’s closure, with unutilized funds being returned to the donors.
A key measure includes the requirement for public officers to seek formal written approval for any project extensions. “Silence from donors cannot be interpreted as approval,” the Commission clarified.
To enforce compliance, the ACC announced the creation of a special task force that will audit pending projects and hold accountable any officials, particularly project accountants and auditors, found responsible for any discrepancies or mismanagement.
The Commission reiterated its commitment to protecting public and donor funds and warned that defaulters would face both financial and legal consequences.
“The ACC will use its full powers under the Anti-Corruption Act 2008, as amended in 2019, to ensure public officers take full responsibility for any losses incurred by the government due to mismanagement of donor projects,” the release concluded.
Public officers have been put on notice that any violations of these guidelines could result in them being required to refund the misused funds through the ACC and potentially face criminal prosecution.
