SIERRA LEONE: Sierra Leone shackled by corruption

Until a couple of weeks ago the Welcome to Sierra Leone sign at the airport said: "If you cannot help us please do not corrupt us." Now it has been removed, perhaps because it was deemed inappropriate to suggest that all visitors were either useless or evil. If they were, they would find plenty of soulmates in Freetown, where corruption is rife. Visiting businessmen say they are constantly asked for "dash" - the local word for bribes - when dealing with officials. "If you complain about a junior official, his boss reprimands him then asks for twice as much for himself. The higher up the system you go, the more they ask for," said one company executive.