Announcements

The Minister of Finance, Mr. Sheku Ahmed Fantamandi Bangura has addressed reports about the International Monetary Fund (IMF) suspending its programme in Sierra Leone, clarifying that this is not the case.

According to the Minister of Finance, "We have a programme with IMF from November 2024 to November 2027. The programme is managed through review. The first review has not been completed. The first review and the second review will be combined." He further disclosed that they have double budget disbursements that are coming to the government because they have to make sure that they are ready to go to the IMF Board to approve based on corrections they have done on the programme.

Mr. Sheku Ahmed Fantamandi Bangura also disclosed that parameters have shifted, and they were going to have a supplementary budget to bring the programme completely in line with the way they expect to disburse money.

He reiterated that Sierra Leone still has a programme with IMF and that they were going to continue with the negotiations and then fine-tune the actions that the government is going to undertake to make sure that they are on track.

"That's basically what it is, meaning we will go according to the programme's parameters up to November 2027, and that will open the way for other disbursements from World Bank and IMF, and the money we are expecting is huge," the Finance Minister disclosed.

Mr. Sheku Fantamandi Bangura, therefore, averred that for people to misinform the public is not right, noting that they should be listening to them to explain the programme and engage with them to explain to them exactly how they engage with development partners. A concerned senior citizen who asked for anonymity said, "Our main problem as Sierra Leoneans is that we always view everything, including good news and fortune for our country through political lenses.

This is hampering our development. As long as IMF suspended their programme under the APC Government, something that saddened many concerned citizens, the same thing should happen to the SLPP Government for others to score a political point. This is the only way some of them will ever be happy." The senior citizen added that the opposition are playing with the minds of their gullible supporters they find pleasure in telling pathological lies.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Mines and Mineral Resources has in no uncertain terms refuted claims in the print and social media that Sierra Leone exported US$1.5 billion worth of minerals in 2024 but only US$16 million reached the National Treasury.

According to the Mines Ministry, "Official data shows mineral exports totalled US$1.12 billion in 2024, down slightly from US$1.15 billion in 2023 due to operational adjustments, financing constraints, and a global slump in diamond prices. The sector's direct revenue contribution to the State was about US$59 million, including surges in non-tax revenue, licence fees, and royalties contradicting the print and social media reports.

The Ministry explained the sector's transparency, job creation, and community impact, dismissing the print and social media claims as baseless, noting that mineral exports remain a cornerstone of Sierra Leone's economy, with ongoing reforms and investments poised to drive further growth.