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Claim: A Facebook user, Tunde Scott, has alleged that the SLPP Government inherited a 6.7% Economic Growth from the APC Government.
Verdict: False! Although Sierra Leone experienced significant economic growth under the then-President Ernest Koroma’s government (APC), the SLPP government did not inherit a 6.7% economic growth rate in 2018 when Koroma assumed office. The economy was at 3.5% in 2018, according to the Ministry of Finance.
Full Text
Sierra Leone’s economy has undergone significant fluctuations since the end of its civil war in 2002, with periods under the former President Ernest Bai Koroma-led All People’s Congress government (2007-2018) and the current President Julius Maada Bio-led SLPP government (2018-present).
The country remains heavily dependent on mining (iron ore, diamonds, rutile, bauxite) and subsistence agriculture, making it vulnerable to global commodity price shocks and health crises.
However, a Facebook user, Tunde Scott, claimed that the SLPP government inherited governance with a 6.7% economic growth.
The claim reads in part: “This government inherited more than $500,000,000 reserve and a 6.7% economic growth.”
DUBAWA decided to fact-check the claim because it could mislead the public.
Verification
Firstly, we reviewed Sierra Leone’s economic status from 2007 to 2018 under the previous government.
Secondly, our investigation found that there was some economic growth under the previous government, but it later fell short due to the “twin shocks.”
Further investigations showed that SLPP inherited governance in 2018, with economic growth of 3.5%, according to the Ministry of Finance. Another piece of evidence also suggests it was around 3.47%.
Also, we found that from 2007 to 2018, there was no specific evidence supporting the claim that the current government inherited the economy with a 6.7% growth.
Below is Sierra Leone’s economic growth from 2007 to 2018 under former President Ernest Koroma’s regime.
Conclusion
Although Sierra Leone experienced significant economic growth under the then-President Ernest Koroma’s government, the SLPP government did not inherit a 6.7% economic growth rate in 2018 when they assumed office.
