Assessing the New Direction: A 25-Question Review of SLPP’s 2018 Manifesto Commitments on Macro-economic Transformation, Revenue Mobilisation, Public Expenditure Management, Public Debt Management, and Exchange Rate Management,
By the Sierra Leone Live Team
As part of our commitment to fostering a well-informed and engaged community, Sierra Leone Live has created this special segment where we put forward a series of questions directly sourced from the SLPP’s 2018 New Direction Manifesto. This initiative helps all of us evaluate whether they have met the goals outlined in this manifesto.
We believe that active citizenship and informed participation are the bedrock of a vibrant democracy. Your opinions, thoughts, and insights matter to us, and by extension, to our nation. We have prepared 25 pointed questions across various sections of the manifesto, including Macro-Economic Transformation, Revenue Mobilisation, Public Expenditure Management, Public Debt Management, and Exchange Rate Management.
While answering these questions, we ask you to reflect on the progress our nation has made in the years since the manifesto was released and to consider the areas where further work is required.
 Macro-economic transformation and Revenue Mobilisation
Manifesto Quote: “The overall objectives of the New Direction for revenue mobilization is to increase domestic revenue from the current 11.1% of GDP to 20% of GDP within 3 years…”
- Was domestic revenue increased to 20% of GDP within the past three years?
- Was the tax system reviewed and made more transparent and accountable?
- Were all holders of elective offices and political appointees, including the President and Vice President, paying tax on their earnings?
- Was a National Tax Policy developed and legislated?
- Was the capacity of the National Revenue Authority enhanced in tax assessment, collection, and reporting?
- Were all audit report findings and recommendations implemented?
- Was the Treasury Single Account (TSA) system implemented?
Public Expenditure Management
Manifesto Quote: “The New Direction specific policy actions that will be pursued to manage public spending in an efficient and effective manner are…”
- Was a standardized overseas travel policy for public service developed and introduced?
- Was the Ministry of Finance separated from the Ministry of Development and Economic Planning?
- Was a National Development Monitoring and Evaluation System developed?
- Has spending on government vehicles and fuel been reduced?
- Was the decentralization process deepened for efficiency in public spending on social services?
- Was the authority of the Public Service Commission re-established as the primary authority to recruit civil servants?
Public Debt Management
Manifesto Quote: “The New Direction will introduce the practice of annual debt ceilings beyond which Government cannot borrow…”
- Was the practice of annual debt ceilings introduced?
- Was external financing of social services limited to grants?
- Was the institutional and legal framework for accessing external and domestic debt reformed?
Exchange Rate Management
Manifesto Quote: “The New Direction exchange rate management strategic objective is to maintain low, stable and competitive exchange rate through increasing exports and reducing imports of consumer goods…”
- Was the exchange rate maintained as low, stable, and competitive?
- Was the policy framework for rural banking and financing reviewed to support cash crop production and marketing?
- Was supportive marketing infrastructure and facilities improved?
- Was Agro-processing promoted to add value to farm products for exports and maintain low import levels?
- Was a competitive interest rate sustained to attract foreign capital?
- Was single-digit inflation maintained to improve the purchasing power of the currency?
Innovative Revenue Sources and Tax Laws
Manifesto Quote: “Mobilise resources from non-traditional sources such as issuing of Diaspora Bonds within the context of controlling the debt burden…”
- Were resources mobilized from non-traditional sources such as the issuing of Diaspora Bonds?
- Were strategic partnerships with cryptocurrency and crowdfunding platforms developed?
- Were tax laws, especially rental income taxation, enforced, and has a timely settlement of all tax obligations been ensured?
We wish to express our heartfelt thanks to every one of you for taking the time to engage with these questions. By participating in this process, you are actively contributing to the dialogue and discourse that drives our nation forward. We firmly believe that every citizen’s voice has the power to shape Sierra Leone’s future. So, thank you for getting involved, and for taking this significant step towards a more informed and empowered Sierra Leone.
Together, let’s continue to live, question, and grow for the betterment of our beloved nation.
