Corruption Widespread in Sierra Leone’s Healthcare, Education, and Extractive Sectors

Freetown, Sierra Leone - Corruption has become a pervasive problem in Sierra Leone, with the country’s healthcare, education, and extractive sectors being particularly affected.

The Impact of Corruption on Healthcare

According to a recent report by the U4 Anti-Corruption Helpdesk, 50% of Sierra Leoneans who sought medical care at a public health facility in the previous year said they had to “pay a bribe, give a gift, or do a favor” at least once to obtain the care they needed. This is not an isolated incident, as bribery and corruption have become commonplace in the country’s healthcare sector.

• Bribery and corruption are widespread in Sierra Leone’s healthcare sector.
• Absenteeism and theft of drugs and supplies are also major problems.
• The practice of “Mammy Koker,” or secretly taking paid jobs during working hours, has been documented in the sector.

Corruption in Education

The education sector is also plagued by corruption. Examples include:

• Diversion of school funds and procurement fraud
• Nepotism and favoritism in personnel hiring, admission, and examination fraud
• Sale of books and supplies meant to be handed out for free

The 2015 auditor general’s report revealed various payment and procurement irregularities in this sector.

Corruption in the Extractive Sector

In the extractive sector, corruption is often cited as one of the main reasons why resource-rich economies fail to transform profits from natural resources into economic development. Transparency International has raised concerns about land acquisitions in the Kono district for mining purposes, with allegations of corruption involved.

• Despite efforts to mainstream transparency and accountability practices into the extractive sector, corruption remains a reality.
• The huge potential gains from mining and natural resource extraction combined with high levels of corruption in government provide incentives for foreign companies to rely on corrupt means to secure access to the country’s natural wealth.

Combating Corruption

To combat corruption, it is essential to consider necessary reforms in other institutions that help contain corruption, including:

• The judiciary
• Law enforcement
• Anti-corruption agencies

Transparency alone may not be enough to prevent corruption; other conditions must also be present to ensure that those who engage in corruption or illegal activity can be held accountable.

Implications for Sierra Leone’s Stability

In Sierra Leone, fostering transparency as a way to prevent corruption may also have implications for the overall stability of the country given the role that natural resources played in sustaining the civil war between 1991 and 2002.