By Mohamed Kamara
Freetown, Sierra Leone – In a shocking turn of events, Mr. Edward Smart Gbappi, the Coordinator of the Seed Multiplication Program under the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, abruptly shut down offices in both Freetown and Bo on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. This unexpected action has left employees in a state of confusion and concern.
Sources indicate that Gbappi’s decision to close the offices was made without the consent of his superiors and came shortly after he received a retirement notice from the Human Resources Management Office, effective October 10, 2024. Since receiving the letter, Gbappi reportedly sought to extend his tenure but was unsuccessful.
Investigative reports highlight serious allegations against Gbappi, including the misappropriation of billions of Leones. An independent investigation revealed a history of financial misconduct since his appointment in 2014, which included a failed probe by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) regarding state fund embezzlement. Allegations also include the improper use of vehicles intended for the program, which were allegedly taken to his hometown for personal use.
Further allegations suggest that Gbappi manipulated bank signatories and employed individuals without following proper civil service procedures. Reports indicate that he seized motorcycles intended for other staff, redistributing them to individuals he personally hired for work in provincial towns. Additionally, Chief Farmers in the Northeast and other regions have not received payment for seedlings supplied since 2014, amounting to millions of Leones.
Workers at the Seed Multiplication Program reported a complete lack of function on the day of the closures, exacerbating the situation. An independent investigator attempting to verify claims about Gbappi’s actions was reportedly expelled from the office, prompting the investigation team to alert Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, ahead of the Chief Minister’s awareness of the situation.
Gbappi’s tenure has been marred by scandals linked to former Minister of Agriculture Dr. Sam Sesay and the late Professor Monty Jones, including allegations surrounding missing funds from the fertilizer scheme during a previous inquiry established by President Julius Maada Bio.
Reports have surfaced indicating that the German government, a principal sponsor of the Seed Multiplication Program, has expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of financial accountability. Insiders suggest that certain high-ranking civil servants within the Ministry have supported Gbappi’s actions in exchange for financial favors.
A senior official at the Ministry, speaking on the condition of anonymity, stated that to ensure the success of President Bio’s “Feed Salone” initiative, it is crucial to cleanse the Ministry of corrupt individuals, emphasizing that Gbappi’s actions undermine its integrity. The official remarked, “How can one man act as if this Ministry is his personal property while we stand by?”
When approached for comment, a representative from the Human Resources Management Office stated, “The HRMO does not tolerate any violation of its mandates. It operates under the Office of the President to maintain integrity within the Civil Service, and no individual is exempt from this standard, regardless of their connections.”
As the situation develops, stakeholders are closely monitoring the impact of these events on the Seed Multiplication Program and the broader agricultural sector in Sierra Leone.
