The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Regional Office in Kono has held two days mass community sensitization meetings in Soa and Fiama chiefdoms in a bid to educate residents of the two chiefdoms about corruption issues and solicit their support in the anti-corruption campaign.
The activities started off with a ‘’Meet the School’ campaign’ at the Manjama Junior Secondary School on the 22nd February 2022 followed by an on-the-spot meeting with healthcare workers in Kainkordu in the Soa Chiefdom. The following day, the ACC team held a community engagement in Kainkordu and a customized meeting with various security operatives in Njagbuema in the Fiama Chiefdom.
Regional Manager of the ACC office in Kono Hawanatu O. Kamara said community sensitization is one of the major activities employed by the Commission to win the fight against the scourge of corruption, which has contributed to the poor living conditions of citizens. “I encourage you all to fully support the ACC by reporting every instance of corruption in your community to enhance improved service delivery,” she said.
ACC’s Kono District Monitor Patrick Hinga George emphasized the need for a strong alliance in the fight against the menace of corruption as its negative impact on the nation is immeasurable. He said the ACC is a reliable institution established by an Act of Parliament in 2000 to fight corruption. The successes of the Commission are evidenced by its overwhelming achievements in the last three years in preventing, investigating, prosecuting corrupt individuals and also recovering huge cash and other physical assets.
Senior Public Education Officer Sam P. Gogra ACC itemized some corruption offences that are rife in disadvantaged communities including: misappropriation of public/community funds and property, bribery in the local courts, schools, health and security sectors, among others.
He further stated that persons convicted of corruption shall face a fine of not less than Fifty Million Leones or a prison term of not less than five years or both prison term and fine, as provided for under the Anti-Corruption Act 2008 as amended in 2019. He therefore encouraged the people to always call the toll free lines of 077-985985 and 077-986986 to report corruption incidences to the Commission.
The engagements also provided the platform for public officers in the educational, health and security sectors to be informed about the ongoing online Asset Declaration exercise. Public Education Officer Hawa Deen Conteh advised public officers in the district to contact the ACC Regional Office in Koidu for additional training in facilitating the exercise, which deadline for the submission of forms is March 31, 2022.
On behalf of the people, a community monitor in Soa Chiefdom Pastor Komba Moses Allieu appreciated the public education exercise and promised to always support the Commission in the fight against corruption.
