There is a strong argument being made for giving the parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to the opposition All Peoples Congress. It is a widely accepted best practice in many Commonwealth jurisdictions for the PAC to be headed by the opposition, and Sierra Leone should not be an exception to this norm.
Corruption is a pervasive issue in Sierra Leone, and it is at the root of many of the country’s governance challenges. To effectively address these problems, it is essential to prioritise transparency and accountability. Having the PAC led by a ruling party member may raise concerns about bias and hinder the committee’s ability to thoroughly examine the queries raised in the 2022 Audit Report.
The slow progress of hearings and the overwhelming number of issues that need to be addressed further highlight the need for a fresh approach. It is not uncommon for government agencies to withhold documentation during audits, only to produce them when faced with parliamentary probes. This calls into question the credibility of the documentation that surfaces after the audit queries have been reported. In some cases, physical verification and site visitations have revealed discrepancies that negate the paper proofs, suggesting the possibility of forged documentation.
Given the challenges faced by auditors in uncovering the truth, it is imperative for parliament, including the PAC, to adopt a more rigorous and investigative approach. They should carefully examine the facts and evidence pertaining to each case, ensuring that their conclusions are based on reality and not fiction.
In conclusion, granting the PAC to the opposition would help ensure a more impartial and robust scrutiny of public expenditures, addressing the deep-rooted issue of corruption and working towards improving good governance in Sierra Leone.
