Minister Cleared of Corruption Allegations: ACC Investigation Of Social Welfare Leadership

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has unequivocally cleared Minister of Social Welfare, Madam Melrose Karminty, of all corruption allegations, following a comprehensive investigation into claims of misappropriation of donor funds and property.

The accusations, originally brought by the former Chairman of the National Commission for Persons with Disability, centered on alleged diversion of funds, mishandling of donations, and procurement irregularities related to the 2024 International Day of Persons with Disabilities commemoration.

The ACC's thorough inquiry found no substantiating evidence for any of the claims. According to the Commission's findings:

• Financial Integrity Confirmed: Donor and government contributions totaling NLe 803,740 were duly deposited into the Ministry's official account and disbursed in strict adherence to proper financial protocols.

• Ministerial Distance from Operations: Activities for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities were executed by the Ministry and the National Consortium for the Enhancement of Persons with Disabilities (NaCEPED), under the guidance of a committee chaired by a senior official. The Minister was not directly involved in the implementation or procurement processes.

• Rice Donation Clarified: The widely reported claim of 6,000 bags of rice being misappropriated was attributed to a misunderstanding. An initial donation of 1,200 bags (50kg each) from the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation was converted into 6,000 smaller 10kg packages for distribution, as per the donor's explicit instructions. This distribution is ongoing and directly managed by the foundation.

• Tarpaulins Fully Accounted For: A donation of 100 tarpaulins from Orange Sierra Leone was also fully verified, with 55 already distributed in Bo and the remaining 45 confirmed to be in the Minister’s custody.

The ACC's conclusion firmly states that there was no evidence of misappropriation of funds, property, or any breach of procurement rules by Madam Karminty or officials within the Ministry of Social Welfare.

This outcome serves to reinforce Madam Karminty’s well-regarded history of public service, which many in the sector consistently describe as characterized by unwavering integrity and a deep-seated commitment to the welfare of Sierra Leone's most vulnerable citizens.

In a related development, the Commission also confirmed that allegations of corruption against the former Chairman of the National Commission for Persons with Disability remain under active investigation, with the outcomes to be released in due course.