Deputy Speaker Champions Accountability Agenda

By Abdul Rahman Bah

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Sierra Leone’s Parliament serves as a fundamental pillar in the framework of democratic governance, playing a critical role in ensuring financial accountability and oversight throughout the nation. This vital committee is entrusted with the essential responsibility of meticulously examining the management and utilization of public funds. By holding all ministries, departments, agencies, and relevant institutions accountable to the financial laws and regulations set forth by the state, the PAC upholds the integrity of public financial management. Leading this imperative committee is the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Honourable Ibrahim Tawah Conteh, whose dynamic leadership has injected a renewed energy of urgency, thoroughness, and transparency into the committee’s endeavours.

Under Hon. Tawah Conteh’s stewardship, the PAC has dramatically elevated its commitment to fostering ethical financial practices, enforcing strict compliance with statutory regulations, and promoting transparency across all levels of government. One of the committee’s key responsibilities is the comprehensive review of the Auditor-General’s reports, which meticulously detail how public institutions have managed and utilized their allocated funds. These reports are not merely documents; they serve as the foundation for public hearings, where the PAC engages in rigorous interrogations of various institutions. During these sessions, committee members demand clarifications, pose challenging questions, and require the submission of supporting documentation, creating a process that is both investigatory and corrective. The goal is to unveil and rectify weaknesses in financial administration, ensuring targeted remedial actions are implemented.

Hon. Tawah Conteh has exhibited an unwavering resolve to hold not only public institutions but also private sector entities—those operating within or significantly influencing the public sector—accountable to national financial standards. Under his guidance, the PAC has issued directives mandating companies to provide full audited financial statements, particularly in cases of suspected non-compliance or when such entities contribute substantially to the national economy. This approach communicates a clear message: no entity, whether public or private, is exempt from the reach of parliamentary oversight when it comes to safeguarding the financial integrity of the nation.

Through its vigorous pursuit of accountability, the PAC, under Hon. Conteh’s leadership, has evolved into a formidable force in the quest for financial discipline and exemplary governance. Its actions play a pivotal role in strengthening public trust, enhancing transparency, and ensuring that public resources are managed in a manner reflective of the best interests of the people of Sierra Leone. With his steadfast and principled leadership, Hon. Ibrahim Tawah Conteh continues to position the Public Accounts Committee as an essential instrument of national accountability and a catalyst for democratic advancement.