By Hassan Osman Kargbo
Tensions are mounting within Sierra Leone’s football community as Acting Secretary General of the Sierra Leone Football Association (SLFA), Mohamed Benson Bawoh, comes under intense scrutiny for alleged manipulative conduct, broken promises, and efforts to undermine institutional integrity.
Bawoh, once seen as a quiet and humble administrator, is now facing widespread criticism for what stakeholders describe as calculated political manoeuvring and failed leadership. His rise to prominence in the SLFA Secretariat came on the heels of the controversial removal of former Secretary General Chris Kamara, a move many believe Bawoh engineered through backdoor tactics rather than merit-based progression.
Stakeholders across the football spectrum are now accusing Bawoh of abandoning the principles of transparency and accountability, replacing them with personal ambition and control.
The latest wave of discontent stems from unfulfilled promises made by Bawoh ahead of the third edition of the Sierra Leone Women’s Premier League. He publicly pledged that each participating female team would receive $5,000 in support—funds that have yet to be disbursed. Clubs are now struggling to prepare adequately, jeopardizing the league’s continuity and the momentum women’s football had begun to build.
“Bawoh made a bold promise to the women’s teams, and we trusted him,” said one club official. “But now we’re left in the dark, with no support and no explanation. It’s disappointing and unacceptable.”
The frustration doesn’t end there. Bawoh also assured regional football associations that a fleet of FIFA-funded motorbikes—intended to boost grassroots football administration—would be distributed following mechanical checks. However, months later, the motorbikes remain undelivered and unused, collecting dust while regional associations struggle with logistical challenges.
Stakeholders say these are not isolated incidents but part of a larger pattern of unfulfilled commitments and deliberate obstruction. FIFA recently issued a second warning to the SLFA Secretariat, stressing the need for neutrality and urging officials to allow the Independent and Judicial Committees to function without interference. This warning reportedly stems from Bawoh’s alleged attempts to manipulate these bodies and interfere in their proceedings—particularly concerning the lead-up to the August 2 Elective Congress.
Critics argue that such actions threaten the credibility of the electoral process and undermine the very foundation of good governance in Sierra Leonean football.
“The Secretary General’s role is to facilitate fairness and uphold the rules—not bend them to serve political interests,” said a football governance advocate. “Bawoh’s continued interference only deepens mistrust within the football family.”
As the situation unfolds, the pressure is building on the SLFA and its leadership to address growing concerns and take meaningful steps toward restoring confidence. With just weeks left until the Elective Congress, many are watching to see whether the SLFA will hold Bawoh accountable or allow his alleged behind-the-scenes tactics to persist unchecked.
The football community, already weary of administrative turmoil, is calling for transparency, accountability, and leadership that puts the sport—not personal ambition—first. Whether Mohamed Benson Bawoh can weather this storm remains uncertain, but the message from stakeholders is loud and clear: enough is enough.
