By Ruth Yeabu Sesay
The Sierra Leone Association of Women in Journalism (SLAWIJ) appears to be in turmoil after a press release from the new Board of the Association which decided to terminate the tenure of the interim executive effective 1st August 2023 for alleged acts of misconduct relating to corporate governance.
According to the release, which was signed by the body's corporate secretary and issued on the 31 July, the new board took action against the executive on the grounds that they have overstayed their mandate of six months.
It also noted that the executive failed to maintain accurate annual narrative and financial records including dues paid by members.
Another reason mentioned for the termination of the executive is the non-disclosure of relevant donor funds to the Board of Directors, leading to a lack of transparency in financial matters.
The release also pointed to neglect by the executive in adhering to internal financial control and protocols and failing to produce annual audited reports since taking up office. It added that the interim executive disregarded corporate governance principles including conflicts of interests and noncompliance in convening a meeting to finalize discussions about an annual general meeting.
“This role was temporary for six months until the holding of an Annual General Meeting (AGM) which is long overdue,” part of the release reads.
It further stated that the executive exhibited behavior that may damage the reputation and integrity of the organization.
According to the release, the new board of Directors and the executive leadership consider the aforementioned issues seriously that could undermine the “core values and principles” upon which SLAWIJ was founded. The new board assured the public in the release of its commitment to upholding the highest standards of accountability and transparency and ethical conduct.
The board said in the release the decision to terminate the temporary executive was not a decision taken lightly, and assured it was done to safeguard the trust placed in the body by stakeholders.
The interim Director of Media at SLAWIJ, Princess Gibson in an interview with Politico stated that the press release issued was a step to sanitize the internal operations of the organization in the areas of tenure, structure, and accountability.
Gibson said that during the three years of the former interim executive, there had never been updated financial records to show what has been done with funds of SLAWIJ. She stressed that the organization is guided by rules from the Corporate Affairs Commission.
There has been no response yet from the interim executive.
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