Addressing Corruption in Post Conflict Sierra Leone

Abstract

Corruption is commonly identified as the greatest obstacle to good governance in Sierra Leone. “Good governance is perhaps the single most important factor in eradicating poverty and promoting development” (Kofi Anan). So it can be said that for efficient, effective and sustainable development to take place the plague of corruption must be addressed. Various organisations and departments within government and civil society as well as the international community have been attempting to address corruption through various methods. Whilst great effort is being put in, and a great deal of attention especially from the press is being paid, these efforts are being crippled by a lack of effective mechanisms. This paper will briefly identify the nature and scope of corruption and will highlight strengths and weaknesses of current efforts to deal with it. This analysis will be used to present an overarching direction on the way forward for further debate and more detailed recommendations. Why is it, that corruption is so prevalent in contemporary Sierra Leone, and what are the measures which have been adopted to tackle it thus far? ....