Freetown – A recent audit by the Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL) has revealed serious lapses in the management of NLe 275,000 disbursed under the Freetown City Council’s Youth Start-Up Fund between 2021 and August 2023.
The program, designed to provide small grants and training to 200 young entrepreneurs, is now under scrutiny after auditors reported widespread irregularities in the selection and disbursement process.
According to the ASSL, payments of NLe 1,000 in 2021 and NLe 1,500 in subsequent years were distributed without formal applications, business proposals, or documented selection criteria.
The audit further noted the absence of vetting procedures or any clear justification for choosing beneficiaries.
In what auditors described as a “major red flag,” a random verification of names and contact details showed that 95 percent of the phone numbers provided were either inactive or nonexistent, casting doubt on whether most of the supposed beneficiaries actually received the money.
During the audit process, the head of the youth sector reportedly admitted that the distribution was based on recommendations from internal youth structures and local councillors, rather than transparent or merit-based evaluations.
The findings point to a systemic breakdown in accountability, with concerns that public funds intended for youth empowerment may have been diverted or misused.
The ASSL has recommended urgent reforms, including the establishment of clear eligibility guidelines, proper documentation, and independent monitoring mechanisms to ensure future disbursements are credible and effective.
Without these safeguards, auditors warn, the flagship scheme risks losing its intended purpose of supporting young entrepreneurs and could instead serve as a vehicle for political patronage at the expense of taxpayers.
