By: Martina George, Public Education Officer
The Anti-Corruption Commission on Tuesday 8th December, 2025 commenced its silver jubilee celebrations with an interfaith thanksgiving service held at the Commissions grounds, Integrity House, Tower Hill Freetown.
The event brought together government representatives, religious leaders, civil society organizations and community members in a shared call for integrity and national cohesion.
Deputy Commissioner of the ACC, Augustine Foday Ngobie, described the Commissions 25 years’ anniversary a remarkable milestone. He reflected on the ACC’s establishment, rooted in the need to promote transparency, accountability, and national stability through the fight against corruption. He highlighted the Commissions notable achievements over the years in fulfilling its mandate.
He further noted that the ACC, has consistently engaged both Christian and Muslim communities in anti-corruption efforts, beyond the annual interfaith gatherings- recognizing the moral and spiritual influence religious institutions have in shaping societal values. Both faiths, he emphasized, speak strongly against corruption and encourage integrity. He said such engagements serves as a powerful reminder that the fight against corruption demands moral conviction, civic responsibility, and sustained collaboration among citizens, institutions and religious leaders
“With 25 years of praying together and working together, Sierra Leone has demonstrated to the world that unity is our greatest strength,” he stated. “Let today renew our commitment to building a nation free from corruption.
The Deputy Commissioner also urged religious leaders to make use their pulpits and Mosque to preach anti-corruption messages and to question suspicious donations from congregants, especially when such contributions exceed their known income capacity.
Delivering his remarks, ACC Board Chairman, Prince Goba Esq. reaffirmed the nation’s commitment to combating corruption in public life. He emphasized that corruption remains one of the most significant barriers to sustainable development, equitable governance, and public trust. He added that International Anti-Corruption Day reminds us that the fight against corruption is a shared responsibility of every Sierra Leonean,” he said. “Today, standing alongside our interfaith partners, we renew our promise to uphold integrity at all levels of society.”
Religious leaders from the Christian and Muslim offered prayers focused on honesty, peace, and national cohesion. Sheikh Mufti Mohamed T. Thomas, delivering the Muslim sermon, centered his message on, “Gratitude, Integrity, and National Renewal,” highlighting the shared moral values upheld across all religious traditions in Sierra Leone. He concluded by stating that money gained through corruption brings no blessings, when such funds are used for the mosques; it is regarded as impure and without spiritual value.
On the Christian side, Bishop Dr. Archibald Cole led the sermon, drawing from Micah 6:8 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”
He emphasized that the spiritual and moral responsibility of every believer is to uphold justice, show mercy and live in humility before God. He concluded his message by emphasizing that systems and processes should not just be established, but they should also be followed in the fight against corruption.
Similar interfaith prayer sessions were held at the ACC regional offices in Bo, Makeni, Kenema, Kono and Port Loko.
