Freetown, 12 February 2025 – The University of Sierra Leone has officially submitted an investigative report detailing administrative, financial, and procurement irregularities to the Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr. Ramatulai Wurie.
The report, covering the period from 2021 to 2023, was presented during a formal handover ceremony at the Minister’s Conference Room in New England Ville.
Speaking at the event, the Director of Higher Education, Emmanuel J. Momoh, emphasized the importance of the report in identifying critical areas requiring intervention.
He assured that appropriate legal measures would be taken where necessary and praised the investigative committee for its thorough and impartial work.
The Chancellor of the University of Sierra Leone, Paramount Chief Dr. Margaret Catherine Baio-Gbanie IV, officially handed over the report to the Ministry.
She reaffirmed the University’s commitment to its mandate, which includes overseeing Fourah Bay College, the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM), and the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS) under the University Act of 2021.
Dr. Baio-Gbanie revealed that the investigation was initiated following a directive from the Ministry on 15 May 2024 to probe allegations against the former Registrar and Finance Director, covering their tenure from June 2018 to January 2024. The directive was based on a recommendation from the Tertiary Education Commission.
An eight-member investigative committee, chaired by Professor Usman Sankoh, was subsequently formed in June 2024 and began work in July. The committee focused on five key areas:
– Financial Management
– Procurement Irregularities
– Human Resources Mismanagement
– Governance and Oversight
– Research Grant Management
The Chancellor lauded the committee for its diligence, stating that the findings were transparent and comprehensive. She stressed that implementing the recommendations would significantly enhance governance and operational efficiency at the University.
Minister of Technical and Higher Education, Dr. Ramatulai Wurie, commended the investigative team and Chancellor Baio-Gbanie for their leadership and dedication to institutional integrity.
She noted that Professor Sankoh’s expertise lent credibility to the findings, and the evidence-based report provided a strong foundation for necessary reforms.
Dr. Wurie assured that the Ministry would fully support implementing the report’s recommendations, reinforcing the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
She reiterated the University of Sierra Leone’s responsibility to uphold the highest standards in governance and financial management.
She also disclosed that the report would be submitted to the Visitor, acknowledging its national importance. Additionally, the Ministry intends to use the findings to enhance governance structures across all public universities in Sierra Leone.
The Ministry of Technical and Higher Education reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening governance at the University of Sierra Leone, ensuring accountability, and fostering an environment conducive to quality education and research.
