The Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Joseph Fitzgerald Kamara, has on behalf of the Commission, signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the ACC  and the Office of National Security (ONS) and the Central Intelligence Security Unit (CISU). The MOU aims at creating a partnership between the ACC and the two security agencies to share information and help in the fight against corruption in Sierra Leone.

Speaking at the event held at the ONS Head office in Freetown, Mr. Kamara called on the security agencies to pay some attention to economic security while maintaining the overall security of the state. Mr. Kamara said as the security agencies work to ensure social and political security so they should also take into account the importance of a corrupt-free public sector for the development of the country.

He said it is the responsibility of the security agencies to protect the resources of the state and “this must include the money” of the state. He advised his partners to imbibe the values of integrity and accountability and abide by the anti-corruption laws and not to defy procurement laws in the name of national security. The ACC boss said the MOU would serve as an additional strategy in the fight against corruption and the maintenance of social, political and economic security.

The National Coordinator of the ONS Retired Brigadier Mustapha K. Dumbuya said the MOU was important as all the three institutions focus on security issues in diverse ways. He said he was sure that the MOU was a vital way to ensuring the success of the government’s Agenda for Prosperity. The ONS chief said he would ensure probity and sanity in their systems and collaborate with the ACC for the betterment of the country.

 The Director General (CISU), Christopher John described the MOU as an important way of enhancing the governance process and the strengthening of the institutions involved. He said all the people and institutions of Sierra Leone have an important role in the fight against corruption and the alleviation of poverty in the country.

A representative from the British Department for International Development (DFID), Lucy Hayes said the Department welcomed the MOU as it would improve on information sharing and create a better synergy between the institutions.

The Director of Public Education and External Outreach, ACC, Shollay Davies, read the citation of the MOU, whose provisions include:

·        “To cooperate in order to accelerate the realization of economic security that could facilitate the promotion of an efficient, accountable and transparent public service that is capable of addressing the socio-economic challenges of Sierra Leone.

·        “The establishment of a very robust partnership and jointly undertaken programmes and activities that accelerate the curbing of corruption.”

The institutions further promised to collaborate in the areas of capacity building and information sharing.