By Morlai Sesay
On Friday, the 12th of January 2024, the Sierra Leone Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (SLANGO) Board filed a formal complaint with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) over an alleged attempt to open an illegal bank account in the organization’s name.
The complaint points fingers at Mr. Christian Kamara, the former defunct Board Chairman of SLANGO, and accuses him and his associates of collaborating with a public servant at the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) to establish this unauthorized account.
The letter, addressed to the ACC Commissioner, emphasizes the long-standing history of SLANGO and financial management. The NGO has maintained bank accounts since 1994, with various leaders overseeing the accounts. Mr. Edward Yokie, who assumed the role of National Coordinator in January 2022, oversees these accounts. SLANGO operates accounts at Sierra Leone Commercial Bank, Zenith Bank, and Ecobank for different purposes, such as handling registration fees, support projects, and managing funds from international and national NGOs.
The complaint alleges that a faction within the defunct SLANGO Board, led by Mr. Christian Kamara, is attempting to undermine Mr. Edward Yokie’s position. It suggests that there are efforts to create a new bank account, separate from the established ones, with the purported intention of collecting registration fees. The letter indicates that these actions have raised concerns among international and national NGOs, who have reportedly been informed about the plan to open a new account.
The current SLANGO leadership has taken preemptive measures to counteract these alleged plans, including freezing bank accounts for safety purposes. The letter notifies the ACC of this perceived corrupt scheme. It warns that any attempt by Mr. Christian Kamara, the defunct Board, or any participating NGO to deposit funds into the new account will be subject to corruption charges.
The SLANGO Board thanks the banks involved for their diligence in handling the situation. However, it remains steadfast in seeking the ACC’s support to prevent deviations from established financial protocols. The letter concludes with a plea for the ACC Commissioner’s assistance and emphasizes SLANGO’s commitment to upholding transparency and integrity within the NGO space.
This unfolding situation brings attention to the potential misuse of funds within non-governmental organizations, emphasizing the importance of regulatory bodies like the ACC to safeguard against corruption and maintain the public’s trust in the NGO sector.
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