Freetown’s Mayor, Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr, has formally asked the Local Government Service Commission (LGSC) to halt the immediate transfer of the Finance Officer of the Freetown City Council, warning that the move could seriously disrupt critical year-end financial operations.
In a letter dated 24 December 2025 and addressed to the Executive Secretary of the Local Government Service Commission, the Mayor expressed “deep concern” over instructions for the Finance Officer to hand over duties by 30 December or face a three-month suspension without pay.
The Mayor said the timing of the proposed transfer—just one day before the end of the financial year—poses a significant risk to the Council’s financial stability. She noted that year-end is one of the most sensitive periods for any finance department, requiring continuity, experience, and careful oversight.
According to the Mayor, several major financial tasks are currently underway at the Council. These include uploading the 2026 budget onto the new PFM Smart system being piloted by the Ministry of Finance, reconciling multiple bank accounts and revenue streams, and preparing the Council’s 2025 financial statements for submission to Audit Services Sierra Leone.
She also highlighted that the current Finance Officer is the only one in the country with extensive hands-on experience using the PFM Smart system. In addition, Freetown’s digital property rate platform, MOPTAX, is unique to the city and requires specialized knowledge for accurate year-end reconciliation.
“The transfer of the Finance Officer at this material time will most definitely result in major operational delays and an increased likelihood of significant errors,” the Mayor cautioned, adding that any incoming officer would face a steep learning curve.
Mayor Aki-Sawyerr appealed for the transfer to be postponed until after the completion of year-end processes, arguing that this would better serve the public interest and ensure the smooth functioning of the city council’s finances.
Her letter was copied to key stakeholders, including the Minister and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, parliamentary oversight bodies, and senior officials within the Council.
The Mayor’s intervention follows an LGSC letter dated 23 December 2025, which accused the outgoing Finance Officer of failing to hand over as previously agreed and warned of suspension without pay if the process was not completed by 30 December.
As of now, the LGSC has not publicly responded to the Mayor’s request.