Inflation, Budget Gaps Draw Opposition Fire
By Musa Paul Feika
Freetown, July 29, 2025 Members of Sierra Leone’s opposition in Parliament have strongly criticized the government’s handling of the economy, warning that the country’s current inflation rate and growing budget deficits are driving away foreign investors and deepening economic stagnation.
During a heated debate on the Sub Appropriation Supplementary Budget Act 2025 in the House of Parliament on Tuesday, Hon. Aaron Aruna Koroma, Leader 2 of the opposition in the Sixth Parliament, argued that the government’s claim of progress is unfounded. He said that if the inflation rate had genuinely decreased, there would be visible improvements in the economy such as increased wages and enhanced public services.
Koroma also criticized the supplementary budget, calling it a plan made “for posterity” rather than present realities. He noted that school subsidies had not yet been disbursed and that essential learning materials remain unavailable in both government and government-assisted schools nationwide.
Highlighting further concerns, opposition MP Hon. Abdul Kargbo scrutinized the budget’s credibility and structure. Citing issues related to fiscal discipline, he said, “A healthy economy does not dip into its reserves unless in extreme circumstances.” According to him, Sierra Leone’s reserve has dropped to 1.8 an alarming figure that reflects poor financial management.
Kargbo emphasized that some Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) are receiving significantly less than what Parliament approved, undermining the credibility and effectiveness of the budget. He labeled the budget as “a textbook of posterity,” accusing the government of borrowing not to invest in goods and services, but to service existing debt.
In defense of the government, Hon. Amara Kaisamba, Chair of the Committee on Finance, praised the Finance Ministry’s efforts, claiming it had successfully reduced inflation to single digits. He thanked President Julius Maada Bio’s administration for presenting the supplementary budget and noted that the country’s economic conditions have improved despite global inflationary pressures.
Kaisamba called on MDAs to enforce stricter financial policies to ensure fiscal prudence. He also urged Finance Minister Sheku Fantamadi Bangura to guarantee that funds approved by Parliament are fully and promptly disbursed.
Supporting Kaisamba’s remarks, Leader of Government Business Hon. Sahr Mathew Nyuma pointed to progress made in financial discipline and revenue collection under the current administration.
Despite the heated exchanges, Parliament unanimously approved the Sub Appropriation Supplementary Budget Act 2025, signaling cross-party consensus on the need for supplementary fiscal measures though major concerns remain unresolved.
