Social Welfare Minister, Melrose Karmity
By Ishmail Saidu Kanu
The 2024 Auditor General’s Report has revealed a number of serious administrative and structural deficiencies within the Ministry of Social Welfare in Kenema, covering the 2023–2024 period.
Foremost among the findings is the absence of a Disability Unit within the Ministry’s regional office. Discussions with the Regional Director confirmed that no such unit exists, nor is there any designated officer responsible for disability affairs.
This deficiency is not isolated, as similar gaps were identified across key government institutions in the Eastern Region. The absence of help desks or support structures for persons with disabilities has, in effect, curtailed access to essential public services for a vulnerable segment of the population.
The report further notes the failure to establish an approved residential home for children in conflict with the law. Although land was acquired for this purpose in December 2020, no construction has commenced due to a lack of funding. This situation stands in clear contravention of the Child Rights Act 2011 as ameded and has placed an undue financial and emotional burden on Ministry staff, who are compelled, at times, to personally support affected children.
Furthermore, the audit uncovered major lapses in financial and resource management, particularly in relation to fuel procurement and usage. Despite expenditures amounting to NLe154,434, there was no evidence of a governing policy, fuel registers, or issuance records. Such omissions create an environment susceptible to misuse and misappropriation of public funds.
In light of these findings, the Auditor General has recommended immediate corrective measures. These include the establishment of a Disability Unit and help desk, strengthened collaboration with relevant stakeholders and non-governmental organisations, urgent mobilisation of funds for the construction of the residential home, and the implementation of strict fuel management policies and record-keeping systems.
