Businesswoman Accuses World Vision of Unfair Contract Termination

A local businesswoman is calling for an investigation into what she alleges is the unfair termination of a multi-year contract by World Vision International (WVI) in Sierra Leone. Isatu Jalloh, owner of Swendeh Construction and General Services, claims the international non-profit abruptly ended her contract to supply essential goods to hospitals, raising concerns about transparency and fairness in business dealings.

According to Jalloh, her company was awarded two separate contracts by WVI. The first was for construction work in Segbwemia Gbeika, which is still in progress. The second was for the supply of ‘dry rations’ to hospitals in Lakka, Makeni, and Kono, and ‘wet rations’ to Lakka Government Hospital. This second contract, she states, was signed in November 2022 and was meant to last until 2027.

However, the supply contract was recently terminated. Jalloh believes the issue began when she sought to resolve a problem with late payments. She says she reached out to two WVI employees, Evarde Rugwizangoga and Ginika Egisimba, after her payments for May and June were more than 30 days overdue. When the issue was not resolved, she escalated her concerns to the Acting National Director, Philippe Guiton, and the Regional Supply Chain Director, Gifty Larbi. Shortly after, the contract was terminated.

Jalloh suspects foul play, arguing that the termination undermines her business and contradicts the principles of fair business practices. She is now urging relevant authorities to intervene and investigate the matter.