By: Sylvanus Blake, Deputy Director, Public Education & Outreach Department ACC
The Deputy Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission Sierra Leone (ACC-SL), Augustine Foday Ngobie, has entreated newly crowned Paramount Chiefs to be vigilant, unrelenting, and fair in the administration of their chiefdoms as beacons of integrity, hope, and patriotism. He made these remarks during their induction training ceremony organised by the Local Government Ministry on the 9th Floor of the Youyi Building in Freetown Wednesday, 13 November 2025.
Representing the ACC Commissioner, Mr. Ngobie congratulated the newly crowned traditional leaders and reminded them that their ascension to the revered positions was not only a recognition of their leadership but also a solemn call to a sacred and critical national duty.
Mr. Ngobie implored: ‘In our cultural and administrative history, the institution of chieftaincy continues to play ever increasing traditional, judicial, political, cultural, and administrative roles. You are an embodiment of the hopes and aspirations of our people. As paramount chiefs, your voices, actions and, even in-actions, carry weight as your example sets the brightest standard for our people especially the youth,’
The Deputy Leader added: ‘It is against this background that I respectfully urge you to see yourselves not only as custodians of tradition but also as front-line generals in our nation’s war against corruption, a menace that poses the greatest risk to our collective survival as a people,’
He noted that corruption robs communities of essential services, denies the youth opportunities, weakens public trust in constituted authorities, and takes away the dignity of the masses. He encouraged the Hon Paramount Chiefs to join the national fight against corruption: ‘Today, we are at war against corruption, we have no other choice but to fight and to do so for our collective destinies and ultimate survival. We did not choose this war, it came upon us, fueled by greed, selfishness, wickedness, the lack of patriotism, and above all degradation of moral virtues. Those stealing from the people of Sierra Leone, are against us. We cannot fold our arms and watch.’
The Deputy Commissioner emphasized, ‘We cannot win this war alone.’ He suggested that a united leadership rooted in integrity and accountability is needed at the highest level of our traditional and local governance system and a shared vision for a just and prosperous Sierra Leone.
He called on the Paramount Chief to speak boldly against all forms of corrupt practices as they execute their mandate, urging them to be whistle-blowers and anti-corruption champions in their respective chiefdoms. He further implored them to ensure transparency take place in the management of community resources and justice in making decisions of public interest.
Mr. Ngobie remarked that Paramount Chieftaincy is a venerable institution in our culture and tradition not just because of its role and rich history, but also because it is a testament of our people’s confidence and trust in what our royal and traditional leadership structures represent. He stated that the chiefs do not only lead people at the chiefdom level, but also lead at the national level highlighting the duality of their role.
Cautioning the chiefs, Mr. Ngobie stated; ‘Let me hasten to respectfully remind you all that being a Paramount Chief in Sierra Leone also means that you are a public officer and there are laws that govern the conduct of public officers in the discharge of their functions.’ He explainedthatSections 42 and 43 of the Anti-Corruption Act (ACA) No. 12 of 2008 preclude public officers from abusing their offices and positions respectively, adding that Section 47 provides that a public officer must not solicit, receive or accept any gift for a corrupt purpose.
He further cited Section 51 (4) of the ACA which mandates every public officer to declare any gift that is valued at the sum of Le500 (Five Hundred Leones) and above and many other offences. He expressed the Commission’s willingness to partner with the traditional leaders in fight against corruption.
The training of newly crowned Paramount Chiefs is part of the ongoing efforts by the Local Government Ministry to build the capacity of local authorities and institutions on effective and efficient service delivery and people-focused leadership.
An engaging questions and answers session climaxed the training.
