Freetown, 11th December 2025– Sierra Leone’s leading accountability institutions, the Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL) and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), continue to play a pivotal role in promoting transparency and fighting graft. Yet the Sierra Leone Governance and Corruption Diagnostic Report of 2025 by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) warn that their autonomy is increasingly at risk from political interference.
The ASSL, once described by the current administration while in opposition as “one of the most effective institutions in Sierra Leone” and internationally recognized as a highly effective supreme audit authority, has built a reputation for exposing irregularities in public financial management.
During the Ebola and COVID‑19 crises, the agency conducted real‑time audits of emergency responses, flagging weaknesses in internal controls and ensuring the proper use of funds. Its annual reports have consistently uncovered issues such as “ghost workers” on government payrolls.
The ACC has also maintained collaborations with the ASSL and the National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA) to strengthen accountability mechanisms and prosecute corrupt practices.
However, the IMF report indicates that the independence of these institutions is being undermined by political influence, particularly in the appointment and removal of senior officials. The suspension and removal of the former Auditor General and her deputy has drawn sharp criticism both at home and abroad, raising questions about the integrity of oversight bodies.
Civil society leaders argue that such actions erode public trust. IMF agrees that the strength of anti‑corruption and audit institutions lies not only in their technical capacity but in their independence from political control.
Observers warn that unless the autonomy of the ASSL and ACC is safeguarded, Sierra Leone risks weakening its fight against corruption and undermining the credibility of institutions that have long been seen as cornerstones of accountability.
