Plein Tok
Caging Sierra Leone’s Jet-Set 'Flying' Ministers
By Joe Sawan
May 28, 2008, 13:16

Several weeks ago, various papers carried either substantiated or unsubstantiated stories in which graphic details about huge sums of relatively scarce public funds were expended on foreign travel.  Various constructive suggestions were made and it seems president Koroma has reacted positively to them in the interest of the country.

Through president Koroma’s proactive leadership, a new Code of Conduct and ethics has been prepared to govern the behaviours of ministers, deputy ministers and other senior state functionaries.  The code, which appears to be comprehensive, has been designed to supplement portions of the 1991 constitution which prohibits ministers or deputy ministers from accepting private or public remuneration while still in office.  There does not appear to be many loopholes in the code that would create the opportunity for ministers, deputy ministers and senior state functionaries to engage in illegal or unethical practices.

Perhaps, what is even more important is the proactive leadership manifested by President Ernest Bai Koroma to literally, cage his “Jet-set” ministers.  According to the May 21, 2008 edition of the PEEP MAGAZINE”, official travel by all government officials, especially ministers and deputy ministers, should be cleared by the Ministry of Finance before submission to cabinet.  No private visits or hospitality trips abroad from individuals and companies for ministers will hence forth be allowed.  The office of the President has also warned ministers to make a clear distinction between personal and official funds and no government funds or property should be used in furtherance of private or personal activities”.  The use of state vehicles for personal trips will be in violation of the code of conduct and ethics.

The code of conduct and ethics is a great national confidence builder especially among a populace that has very cynical views of government’s fiscal maturity.  The perception that government had the undiminished propensity to misuse public funds has remained unabated and unchallenged since 1961.

In a country where almost everything is a priority and where funds for development are relatively scarce, ministers and deputy ministers should be asked to respond to a series of questions before they are allowed to ravel.  For example, what tangible benefit/s will be realized by the government and people of Sierra Leone for undertaking the trip?  Will the people realize any quantifiable difference in the quality of their lives?  Will the trip improve Sierra Leone’s image as a safe, stable, and secure investor friendly country?  What will the government and people of Sierra Leone lose if the affected minister were to be prevented from undertaking the trip?  What additional cost will the government and people of Sierra Leone incur if it were a private or hospitality trip?  Will the minister be able to provide verifiable quantitative and qualitative evidence of benefits to the government and people of Sierra Leone not later than FOUR DAYS following the minister’s return?  Will the members of Sierra Leone’s diplomatic staff adequately represent the country at those meetings instead of a minister?

As a nation that is plagued by extreme financial problems, Sierra Leone needs to “cut its coat according to its size”.  It is the perception of the citizens that a significant number of ministerial trips are “social junkets” designed to fulfill the long cherished desires of the public officials.

The apprehensions of the citizens will be allayed if the response of the ministers and deputy ministers were to be made PUBLIC in furtherance of the goals of transparency, accountability and zero tolerance for corruption.  It will also disabuse people of the notion that joining the public service is the best way to enrich one’s self and to take advantage of the visibility and high profile nature of the position to visit the world’s most admired tourist destinations.

Finally, the preparation of the code of conduct and ethics is only the first step.  What is more important is the implementation of the code.  In this regard, President Koroma should use his cabinet as an example of how frugal he intends his government to be.