Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. Former Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs and political commentator, Dr. Sylvia Olayinka Blyden, has announced plans to release what she describes as “detailed revelations” about Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr’s professional and financial history.
In a statement issued Thursday, Blyden alleged that Aki-Sawyerr benefitted from questionable government decisions during the Ernest Bai Koroma administration, particularly regarding the transfer of the Cape Sierra Hotel project under NASSIT in 2010. Blyden claims the bidding process at the time lacked proper due diligence and that the financial backers presented by Aki-Sawyerr were not credible.
Blyden further stated she intends to publish documents relating to the insolvency of a UK-based company, Caleb Investments Limited, in which Aki-Sawyerr reportedly served as director. According to Blyden, the company went into court-supervised insolvency in 2009. She also questioned Aki-Sawyerr’s narrative about leaving a stable career in London only after the 2014 Ebola outbreak.
The statement also raised concerns about alleged financial mismanagement at Freetown City Council and suggested that political compromises may have prevented proper scrutiny of the council’s records. Blyden questioned the absence of key documentation, such as Results Reconciliation Forms (RRFs) from the 2023 mayoral elections, and linked it to what she characterized as “political quid pro quo.”
Blyden said she will provide further information before the end of August, including details of Aki-Sawyerr’s career in London prior to her return to Sierra Leone.
Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr has not yet publicly responded to these latest allegations. In previous interviews, she has defended her professional record and described criticisms of her as politically motivated.
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