By Mackie M. Jalloh
An independent audit of Sierra Leone’s civil service performance management system has revealed widespread neglect of appraisal protocols, casting doubt on the effectiveness of the government’s evaluation processes.
The report, prepared by Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL), underscores serious inefficiencies, with low compliance rates threatening accountability, transparency, and merit-based staff promotions across public institutions.
The audit revealed that compliance with key performance evaluation metrics remained dismally low in 2023. Among civil servants in Grades 1-10, only 22.84 percent completed target-setting evaluations, 22.90 percent participated in mid-year appraisals, and just 22.85 percent finalized their annual appraisals, the figures suggesting that over 75 percent of employees failed to meet basic performance assessment standards, undermining efforts to foster accountability and improve public service delivery.
The consequences of such a laxity are stark. A sample review of 160 civil servants who were promoted or confirmed in their roles showed no evidence of performance evaluations being conducted prior to such decisions. Despite the absence of documented assessments, the individuals collectively earned a gross salary of NLe11,445,404.68 in 2023, raising critical questions about how promotions and confirmations are being determined in the absence of measurable performance data.
The ASSL report calls for urgent corrective measures to address the systemic failures. Key recommendations include:
- Enforcement of Compliance: Instituting punitive measures for civil servants who fail to complete mandatory appraisals.
- Accountability in Promotions: Mandating the Directorate of Performance Management to provide verifiable evidence of performance assessments for all confirmed and promoted staff.
The recommendations aim to tighten oversight and ensure that promotions and confirmations are based on merit rather than arbitrary decisions, thereby restoring public confidence in the civil service.
In response to the audit findings, the Human Resource Management Office (HRMO) acknowledged the challenges and outlined measures to improve compliance. According to HRMO, compliance rates rose from 20 percent in 2023 to 44 percent in 2024, attributed to the harmonization of civil servant salaries and the strict enforcement of Annual Vacation Leave (AVL) sanctions for non-compliance.
HRMO further reported that out of 774 requests for performance appraisal verification submitted in 2023, 689 officers were found to be compliant, while 85 failed to meet the requirements. Additionally, the office highlighted the pending introduction of a revised Civil Service Code, which is expected to introduce stricter punitive measures to enhance compliance across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Despite such assurances, ASSL expressed scepticism over HRMO’s claims, citing a lack of tangible evidence to substantiate the reported improvement in compliance rates.
The auditors emphasized that the unresolved issues surrounding unverified staff confirmations and the absence of a robust performance appraisal system continue to undermine the government’s efforts to create a transparent and accountable civil service.
The financial implications of the shortcomings are significant. Over NLe11.4 million was paid in salaries to unverified staff, raising concerns about inefficiencies and potential financial mismanagement. Without a reliable appraisal system, the government risks perpetuating a culture of favouritism and undermining the credibility of its workforce.
The audit findings highlight an urgent need for comprehensive reforms to strengthen performance management in the civil service. Implementing stricter appraisal protocols, ensuring accountability in promotions, and that enforcing compliance at all levels will be critical to foster a culture of meritocracy and improving public sector efficiency.
With taxpayer funds at stake and public trust on the line, addressing the gaps is essential for Sierra Leone to achieve a transparent, accountable, and high-performing civil service.
