By: Bernard Abass Kargbo, Public Education Officer-ACC
The Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Francis Ben Kaifala Esq has told the media at a press conference what the Commission intends to do with the 2023 Auditor General’s Report, which was tabled in the House of Parliament in December 2024.
Speaking at a press conference held on Thursday, 9th January, 2025, at the Conference Room of the Commission’s Integrity House, the Commissioner presented analysis of the Auditor General’s Report and highlighted various cases of financial mismanagement, lack of administrative controls, and other forms of corruption in government institutions.
The Commissioner commended the Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL) for bringing out issues that affect the smooth running of the governance structure, “particularly as they deal with the resources of the state. Year in and year out, they give us a picture of what is happening with financial management, but beyond financial management, other administrative controls and systems that are geared towards improving our governance framework, how we monitor and supervise ourselves, the accountability systems we have created and also the transparency regimes that are in place to help the country develop,” he stated.
The Commissioner went on to inform his audience that most of the issues raised in the Audit Report are reoccurring in almost all Ministries, Agencies, and Departments (MDAs). “I am sure there is no doubt in your minds that the issues are similar; revenue not banked, staff not available for inspection, asset issues, and things that are really administrative or supervisory”. He said there were also issues of non-payment of withholding taxes to the National Revenue Authority. “If we increase our monitoring in Sierra Leone, and do what has to be done properly as leaders, this report could have been empty,” Mr Kaifala said.
The Commissioner reaffirmed ACC’s commitment to fighting corruption and promoting transparency and accountability in all government operations and will continue to work diligently to investigate and prosecute cases of corruption and hold those responsible accountable for their actions.
The ACC Commissioner urged all government institutions to adhere to the highest standards of financial management and accountability and pledged to work closely with all stakeholders to ensure that public resources are managed in a fair, transparent, and equitable manner.
He said the Commission will continue to make sustained efforts to instill accountability and transparency in all public sector institutions. He maintained that the ACC remains open and available to collaborate with all stakeholders, including Parliament and the media, in its fight against corruption in Sierra Leone.
Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner of the ACC, Augustine Foday Ngobie, welcomed members of the press, stating that the Commission will always work to strengthen its relationship with them in a bid to continue to toughen the fight against corruption in the country
