Ministry of Trade Accused of Selling Overseas Trips for $5,000

Allegations have surfaced that the Ministry of Trade and Industry is involved in a scheme that enables individuals to illegally travel abroad by posing as ministry staff.

According to Standard Times Newspaper three individuals, Abass, Abu Bakarr, and Rhoderica reportedly traveled to the United States under the guise of attending an official conference on behalf of the ministry, despite having no affiliation with the government.

The trio attended the Morningstar Investment Service Conference 2024 in Chicago, held on June 26th and 27th, where they posed as ministry staff, though they had no legitimate connection to the Ministry of Trade.

This illicit practice is allegedly part of a growing trend at the Ministry of Trade, which has become a hub for smuggling and human trafficking under the guise of official travel.

Sources claim that individuals are paying as much as $5,000 each to secure travel arrangements under false pretenses, using official ministry channels to bypass immigration scrutiny and settle abroad.

The revelations have raised serious concerns about the enforcement of Sierra Leone’s 2022 anti-trafficking law, which mandates severe penalties for those involved in human trafficking and smuggling.

The law prescribes a minimum sentence of 25 years for those convicted of trafficking and seven years for assisting unauthorized migrants in crossing borders. Despite these strict measures, it appears that some officials within the Ministry of Trade are exploiting their positions to engage in this illegal trade with impunity.

Experts suggest that this issue is widespread, with many government agencies allegedly involved in similar practices. The Ministry of Trade is now under scrutiny, with further investigations underway to uncover the full extent of these activities.

When contacted for a response, Deputy Minister of Trade and Industry, Madam Fatmata Kargbo, neither confirmed nor denied the accusations, leaving the matter unresolved.

More details are expected to emerge as investigations continue, and full disclosure of the involved parties is anticipated in upcoming reports.

Comment(s)

Disclaimer: Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of Sierraloaded or any employee thereof.

22324 | 2024-09-11 13:36:50

I wonder why people have to politicise everything. Every Sierra Leonean is either a politician or wants to be. No more personal issues. Everything is political. Few days ago, people died by the roadside in the Western Area because of kush addiction and someone was blaming the government and specifically pointing fingers at the President. Even with the lunching of the 'feed Salone' programme, people, particularly youths have refused to return to the provinces and engage in productive farming. They roam the streets of Freetown all day selling 'arata meresin' or 'chinch mersin.' But when anything happens to them, people are quick to blame the government. God helps those who help themselves. People should be ashamed and realistic. Please face reality and stop blaming politicians and the government.
| 2024-09-10 00:20:25

Fake news I was at the ministry on that day I saw one Mr Konneh in went to the ministry he ask for the Minister but the minister is not around, he also ask for the Permanent Secretary he is not around and later he ask for the deputy minister of trade by then she was just from another engagement. The deputy minister give him audience and told her about this allegation, the deputy minister ask him to bring the evidence that shows the ministry is selling overseas trip for $5000 dollars, he promised to come with the evidence the next day , when he show up the next day he did not bring any documents. This is some of the bad journalist that want to eat free money with fake news and tarnish people reputation but we will respond to standard times news paper for 1 week .
| 2024-09-09 15:39:06

Taking a critical stands on this. Even the author of this piece and the carrier of this article, wants the same opportunity. This is a country deeply rooted in deprivation, poverty, inequality, injustice and sorts. You n I know outrightly that if we have the slightest opportunity to leave the country to better place or the first world countries we can pay our life savings. If others are opportune to use this channel it’s good for them. Putting it now that, the scheme of using government for traveling isn’t something new neither a continual train. Across government, departments and agencies even nonprofit organizations uses this scheme to move people around the globe. We hang on the balance and looking for the slightest opportunity to make ourselves and our families uplifted, it’s no compromise. Let’s encourage the route and speak handy for our turns.
| 2024-09-09 13:47:42

You obviously do not know the full definition of human trafficking. Please read up some more. The rest of the response is spot on. We are waist deep in corruption
Brima Santigie | 2024-09-09 10:57:48

The original author of the article is an idiot, this is not human trafficking or smuggling. However, this is a VERY SERIOUS allegation. It should not take long to investigate something like this and since they are neither confirming or denying, sounds like they are guilty. Heads NEED TO ROLL. Bio suspended the auditor general over nonsense, by the end of this week, people should have been suspended over this and by next week, sacked and arrested for corruption. They also need to forfeit the money they charged. This is bad for the country. We are corrupt and now, when government officials go to get visas, they might have to go through all sorts of nonsense. This should be dealt with HARSHLY. The government claims they are anti corruption. They better not drag their feet because these are SLPP members committing these acts.