Sierra Leone Telegraph: 7 May 2019:
Sierra Leone’s economic growth is struggling to rise above performance seen during the country’s Ebola outbreak at 3.5%, after peaking at 11% in 2011.
With inflation now topping double figures and economic hardship biting hard, there are calls for the SLPP government to think outside the box about short-term measures to relieve citizens of the difficulties they are facing, especially with the rising prices of basic food items – most of which are imported. There are concerns too that goods produced locally are becoming costly.
The lifting of government subsidy on several consumer items, including petrol and electricity, as well as increased taxation and rising costs of import clearance at the seaport in Freetown, are exacerbating an already fragile and difficult economic situation in the country.
(Photo: Finance Minister – Jacob J. Saffa – under intense pressure to do something about the economic hardship).
Unemployment remains stubbornly high at well over 70%, with average daily household income less than $2 (Two Dollars).
There are fears the economy could get worse and poverty may rise sharply, if government does not take appropriate short-term steps to correct major fault lines inherited from the previous Koroma led APC government.
But today the IMF has released its report after its mission, led by Karen Ongley, met with the government of Sierra Leone and other stakeholders in Freetown, to conduct the first review of the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) arrangement approved by the Executive Board on November 30, 2018.
At the end of the visit, Ms. Ongley issued the following statement today in Freetown:
“The economic landscape in Sierra Leone remains challenging. Yet, the authorities navigated these difficulties well in the year since taking office, helping to stabilize the economy.
“Real GDP looks set to pick up this year to 5.1 percent, thanks in part to the resumption of iron ore mining.
“After peaking above 19 percent last September, inflation moderated to 17.5 percent in March and is projected to continue tracking down over 2019.
“Faced with serious constraints on budget financing, the authorities kept the budget in check through stronger than programmed revenue performance and spending well below the budget. As a result, the overall deficit narrowed from 8.8 percent in 2017 to 5.8 percent in 2018.
“However, delays in donor receipts and uneven liquidity in the banking system, posed challenges for deficit financing and monetary policy, and impacted program performance.
“While program performance is broadly on track, slower than expected progress on structural reforms reflects the magnitude of policy challenges. Nine of the ten quantitative targets were met for end‑December 2018 and end‑March 2019.
“However, the Net Domestic Assets of the Bank of Sierra Leone (BSL) at end‑December 2018 exceeded the program target (performance criterion), partly due to BSL’s credit to government and continued foreign exchange market sales to stem depreciation of the Leone.
“Moreover, three of five structural benchmarks – the forensic audit of the BSL, developing a strategic plan for the two state-owned banks, and a strategy for clearing domestic arrears – have been delayed, as the underlying issues are proving to be more complex than anticipated.
“With this in mind, the Sierra Leonean authorities and the mission reached understandings, ad referendum, on economic policies aimed at enhancing accountability in managing public resources, diversifying the economy and promoting more resilient and inclusive growth.
“The authorities’ commitment to mobilizing domestic revenue and improving expenditure management to achieve a gradual reduction in the deficit, will help ensure that public debt returns to a sustainable path.
“Notwithstanding pressures on the budget, the authorities will safeguard poverty-reducing spending and other priority spending under the Government’s National Development Plan.
“Limiting the recourse to domestic financing will also reinforce the BSL’s objective of bringing inflation down to single digits by the end of the program.
“Maintaining a flexible exchange rate system and increasing foreign exchange reserves will boost resilience to economic shocks.
“The authorities have calibrated their policies to address longstanding vulnerabilities, but this also requires maintaining policy discipline and stamina. Notwithstanding their ambitious revenue goals, the program reflects a more cautious revenue assumption as a buffer to deal with fiscal risks, such as reliance on donor financing, the large outstanding stock of domestic arrears, and high prospective debt service payments.
“Stepping up efforts on the structural reforms underpinning the program is crucial to the goals of managing fiscal risks and ensuring greater accountability for the benefit of all Sierra Leoneans.
“The IMF’s Executive Board is expected to consider first ECF review by end-June 2019. Completion of the review would make available SDR 15.56 million (US$ 21.5 million), bringing total disbursements under the program to about SDR 31 million (US$ 43 million).
“The mission met with Vice President Jalloh, Minister of Finance Jacob Saffa, Deputy Minister of Finance Patricia Laverley, Governor of BSL Kelfala Kallon, Finance Secretary Sahr Jusu, other senior government and BSL officials, representatives of the financial sector, civil society, and development partners. Mr. Kingsley Obiora, Alternate Executive Director representing Sierra Leone, also joined the concluding meetings.
“The mission wishes to thank the Sierra Leonean authorities for their warm hospitality, and the constructive and rich discussions during our visit to Freetown.”
Hey highlights of the IMF report are as follows:
- The government to take continued actions to mobilize revenue and manage public finances as key priorities to reduce public debt and create fiscal space for investing in people and infrastructure.
- Step up structural reform efforts will be crucial to managing fiscal risks, ensuring greater accountability, and diversifying the economy for the benefit of all Sierra Leoneans.
These are big challenges for the government, in adition to controlling inflation, reducing interest rates, lowering exchange rates, curbing rising unemployment and poverty, as well addressing growing political and social tension in the country.
In any country, a projected economic growth rate of 5.1 percent is welcome news. But not in Sierra Leone where the prevailing inflation rate of 17.1 percent almost quadruple that of the percentage of the forecasted growth rate. This despite the government ‘s relentless efforts to mitigate the situation.
The sheer palpability of poverty almost physically visible on people’s appearances, demeanor and mannerism should be cause for tremendous concern to the government and those who are tasked with the heavy responsibility to help their fellow citizens not to continue to wallow in such an environment.
It appears as though the groundwork is being laid for a hard contested election for the simple fact that people had become disenchanted, and desperate (as they now are) and feel powerless (as they now are).
Now no misrepresentation should be implied here, but suffice it to say “a hungry man is an angry man” The government has constructed plans to tackle the situation head on but a rather urgent and immediate architectural drawing should be deployed now rather than later. A short term plan typically carry a five year roadmap in government or business, but this time a short term plan should be tomorrow.
Watching a comedy movie on television the other day, a newly dating couple had a dilemma when the woman asked her new boyfriend what was his short term plan or goal and the man asked, “you mean tomorrow?” Yes indeed, if this question was posed to the government by the people, the answer in terms of timeframe would certainly be tomorrow, not five or ten years or longer.
People are hurting and are living on borrowed times. Some diasporians feel the pinch as well for those who support their folks back home. One year in governance, should bear some visible signs by now that things are on the right tract. Prayers are in order.