Ineptitude and lack of foresight by the current leadership of the Sierra Leone Chamber of Commerce, Agriculture and Industry (SLCCAI) whose mandate has long expired is killing the institution.

The expired executive, have almost, if not, rendered the once vibrant institution to become useless.

Detailed investigations carried out by Africa24 newspaper reveal that quite apart from the incompetence of the present management, SLCCAI’s operations over the years have largely remained in secrecy.

Even though the “moribund” management led by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), James Koroma is very much aware of the development of the National Corporate Governance Code to promote good governance, transparency and accountability in the operations of corporate bodies including SLCCAI in Sierra Leone, it [management] is yet to exhibit transparency and accountability.

During our investigations, we also found out that SLCCAI which is one of the oldest trade unions in the country continues to violate this all important corporate governance code with impunity and disregard resulting to some ramifications.

Our sources further revealed among other things, and in addition to its lack of transparency and accountability, SLCCAI’s management has over the years, blatantly refused to submit audited annual financial reports or statements, unable or also deliberately refused to conduct elections, failed to engage the Ministry of Trade and Industry and other important affiliated bodies, misused assets (corruption), and continues to take poor decisions and is rated for other misdemeanors which have undeniably crippled or destroyed this vital trade body.

Pleased with the immeasurable destruction already caused which has led to a near-collapse of the institution, the current management have in totality, disregarded the call made by the government to do the needful by first of all convening the Annual General Meeting (AGM) which was scheduled to take place on October 31st 2022 to ensure that the anomalies are swiftly addressed.

Also, we got a reliable source that SLCCAI’s executive’s term had long expired since 2018, which indicates that senior members comprising management should have given way for a fresh election to be conducted, thereby paving a path for a team of other executive members.

Meanwhile, when Africa24 contacted SLCCAI’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) James Koroma for his response through his WhatsApp number 076-965-867 he said: “I anticipated this direction. My response to you will be not to be driven by a political agenda or selfish individuals. Because both situations will not be helpful for the private sector as well as the role you will play. I am out of the country and I would be interested to have an idea about the source when I return over the weekend.”

When Africa24 insisted that their investigation has nothing to do with politics and his curiosity to know the source of our information, the CEO surprisingly, furiously and boastfully responded this way: “Trust me, we will not respond.”

The CEO’s response by all indications has not helped to bring forth truth to light, but has only given credence to the wide range of allegations against his weak management and SLCCAI’s lack of transparency and accountability.

Stay tuned for more information on this development in our next editions!