The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament, led by Deputy Speaker Hon. Ibrahim Tawa Conteh, has summoned six key institutions to address issues raised in the 2023 Auditor General’s report on Sierra Leone’s public accounts.

The institutions, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the National Revenue Authority (NRA), are set to appear before the committee starting today, January 20, 2025.

The summons comes after the Deputy Speaker, who also chairs the PAC, laid the Auditor General’s report in Parliament.

The report highlights several financial discrepancies across various government institutions, prompting the committee to seek explanations from the involved entities.In addition to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the NRA, the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Ministry of Communications, and Zoodlab have been called to present relevant documents and respond to the audit queries.

The PAC has mandated the presence of Vote Controllers and heads of the affected institutions to ensure comprehensive accountability.The 2023 Auditor General’s report reveals that over 233 billion old leones remain unaccounted for by officials in various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

This has raised concerns about financial management and transparency within the public sector.Last week, the PAC similarly summoned six other MDAs to respond to issues highlighted in the audit report. The ongoing public hearings aim to promote transparency and hold public officials accountable for the management of state resources.

The current hearings are part of the broader efforts by the PAC to ensure that public funds are utilized efficiently and that any financial irregularities are addressed promptly.

The outcome of these hearings is expected to provide clearer insights into the fiscal responsibilities and management practices of the summoned institutions.