The habitual quandaries of ineffective aid modalities in Sierra Leone have historically been a cause of great concern. Indeed, “old habits die hard,” but as a new report written by the European Network for Debt and Development (Eurodad) and Sierra Leone’s Campaign for Good Governance points out, these habits must certainly be laid to rest.
The report, entitled “Old Habits die hard: Aid and accountability in Sierra Leone,” is a revealing piece that analyses the quantity and quality of aid to Sierra Leone and the progress that has been made to make it more effective for addressing poverty reduction in the country
The study finds that serious gaps in donor and government transparency and only piece-meal progress by donors in implementing the Paris Declaration are hindering the potential of aid to address the many needs of Sierra Leoneans. As Thomas Johnny, Policy Research Manager for ActionAid Sierra Leone points out, “for aid to be accountable it is interesting to know all the information about the aid that is coming in and for what purpose.”
Eurodad and CGG make a number of recommendations to various stakeholders relevant to aid effectiveness. These include radically reducing the number and scope of conditions that donors attach to budget support, as well as improving transparency and funding predictability. The Sierra Leonean Government is also called upon to improve their negotiating standards with donors and recognise the crucial role of civil society organisations in the policy process. Recommendations for civil society include improving networking, organisation levels and communication channels.
The research was based on literature review and interviews carried out in Sierra Leone in September 2007. Moreover, it is part of a series of seven aid effectiveness case studies that will contribute to a headline report to be launched by Eurodad in March 2008.
Click here to read the report.
Old habits die hard: Aid and accountability in Sierra Leone