By Alieu Amara Suwu
Speaking to journalists on the current state of the activity of a parliamentary select committee on fake degrees, on Tuesday 1st November 2022 in Committee Room One in Parliament, Hon Dr. Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, Chairperson of the Select Committee, previewed that they are looking at the problem from two lenses: the first lens is how do they set up a system going forward that would minimise or eradicate fake degrees. So as to create a system, he said laws are needed, strategies, as well as they, may need some programs, and need to set up a structure that can capture and prevent a fake degree.
He said, therefore, in that respect, they have already scheduled to start on the 21st to the 25th of November. He assured that it will be going to be intense, all about dealing with the issue of the fake degree.
Explaining how the Committee will investigate, he said they will be starting in the morning of the 21st with the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC), which is the regulatory body that is responsible to deal with that, in the afternoon, they will be inviting student union leaders because students participate in the act key for or they are victims of the act, and they should know how that is done.
He claimed that many are not happy, saying that would he want his kids to have a fake doctor giving injections and a fake nurse giving him IV fluids? He lamented on his experience as a mechanic who had spoiled a brand new German generator because he knew nothing about it but presented himself as an expert.
He further that they are inviting bodies because they need to hear their voices. Also, the said they are going to have the Chancellor’s Association/Council that has all the chancellors and deputy chancellors, which they have agreed to. He said the senior staff association, the faculty, then the Minister of Tertiary and Higher Education will be involved.
He noted that they will request from the research department to put a paper together for them to know how other countries like Kenya dealt with the issue.
In conclusion, he said they need to design a system or maybe change some laws or maybe they need additional laws to empower the TEC. In completion of the Committee’s work, he said they will set up a system that will prevent fake degrees.
It could recalled that, in the adventure to restore academic integrity and to weed out all fake certificates, diplomas, degrees and Ph.Ds. awarded by either Dominion Christian University, Africa Graduate University – which have been confirmed as fake universities – or other alleged fake universities to public and civil servants and Sierra Leoneans generally, Parliament after endorsing the motion, the Dr. Abass Chernor Bundu, Speaker of Parliament, on Wednesday, 4th May 2022 announced a seven-men special select committee to conduct certificate audit.
Members of the Committee are as follows: Hon. Dr Kandeh Kolleh Yumkella, NGC, Hon Dr. Ibrahim Bun Kamara, APC, Hon. Dr. Roland Foday Kargbo, APC, Hon Festus Mohamed Lansana, SLPP, Hon. Joseph Williams-Lamin, SLPP, Hon Saa Emerson Lamina, C4C, and Hon. PC Bai Kurr Kanagbaroo Sanka III.
The term of reference of the Committee, as said by the Speaker, will be to direct all the standing committees of Parliament to compel all MDAs within the purview of their oversight responsibility to submit evidence of documents of academic certificates claimed to be held by all public officers working in those MDAs; to examine the authenticity of all certificates and to give a written report with recommendations for the consideration of Parliament; to co-optany person with requisite competence and expertise to advise or otherwise render assistance to the Committee but such person shall not vote on any matter done by the Committee; and to submit a written report before the dissolution of the Fifth Parliament.
