Sierra Leone – March 10, 2026: The College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS) has cancelled its recent pre-admission examination for over 800 candidates following serious allegations of malpractice, signaling a strong stance against academic dishonesty.
At an emergency meeting convened by Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor James B. W. Russell at New England, college leadership, faculty deans, examination supervisors, and programme coordinators gathered to address the issue. Professor Russell declared a “zero tolerance for misconduct and academic malpractice”, stressing that integrity, discipline, accountability, and respect must remain the institution’s guiding values.
He expressed frustration over what he described as the “degenerating state” of COMAHS’s educational system, particularly highlighting the declining reputation of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery. “A hospital should be neat, clean, inviting, and safe for people who are already sick. It must have reliable water, electricity, and proper sanitation. These are not luxuries; they are the basic requirements for delivering quality healthcare,” he said.
Other senior academics echoed his concerns. Dr. Edris Tejan urged strict enforcement of examination regulations, while Dr. Donald Conteh noted that malpractice is a systemic issue beginning at the WASSCE level. Dr. Michael Lahai, Dean of Pharmaceutical Sciences, recommended stronger quality assurance measures to safeguard future examinations.
The meeting concluded with decisive action points:
- Cancellation of the pre-admission exam.
- Immediate establishment of an investigation committee.
- Submission of full reports by examination officers and supervisors.
- Adoption of conference marking for this cycle.
- Use of neutral examiners in future examinations.
Professor Russell reaffirmed his directive for a thorough and impartial investigation, insisting that “whoever is involved in this must be investigated thoroughly.”
©Bai Kandeh Turay, Communication Officer, COMAHS, University of Sierra Leone