The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has on the 27th February, 2025 held a crucial community stakeholder meeting at the Tombodu Community Barry in Kamara Chiefdom, Kono District. The meeting aimed to sensitize local leaders and residents on the importance of transparency and accountability in the handling of chiefdom funds.
The meeting was welcomed by the Regent Paramount Chief of Kamara Chiefdom, Sahr Charles Quee, who expressed gratitude to the ACC for visiting the area. He highlighted that Kamara Chiefdom, rich in diamonds, is a beneficiary of the Diamond Area Community Development Fund (DACDF) and surface rents from mining companies. However, he revealed his disappointment upon taking office when he discovered that no accountable documents were provided for funds previously utilized. Chief Quee requested the ACC's support in educating the community about financial accountability.
Madam Hawanatu Omotayo Kamara, ACC’s Regional Manager, thanked the chiefdom’s leadership and stakeholders for their warm reception. She explained that public funds, including DACDF, surface rents, and donations, are meant to support community development projects. These funds, she emphasized, should never be mismanaged. She also outlined the legal consequences of corrupt practices such as misappropriation of funds, abuse of office, bribery, and conflict of interest, as stipulated by the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008 and its amendments. Offenders could face fines or prison sentences.
Mrs Kamara stressed that the fight against corruption is a collective national responsibility. She urged local government officials, particularly chiefs and local court chairmen, to avoid imposing unjust fines and to adhere strictly to the Local Government Act. She also encouraged stakeholders to engage with the ACC office in Kono for guidance and best practices, emphasizing the importance of prevention over cure.
The meeting was also attended by various community leaders, including the Chiefdom Speaker, Rev. Chief TDK Pessima, who pledged full support for the ACC’s mission and expressed the community’s commitment to disseminating anti-corruption messages. Other community leaders, such as Senior Section Chief Steven Aiah Brima and the Mamy Queen, acknowledged the devastating impact of corruption on the poor and uneducated, particularly in schools and hospitals, where illegal charges and fines are rampant. They called for more sensitization across all 14 chiefdoms in Kono District.
In her closing remarks, Public Education Officer Ms. Patricia Jenneh Sannoh urged the community to report corruption via the ACC’s toll-free lines and other communication channels. Prior to the community meeting, the ACC team visited local schools, including Ahmaddiya Secondary School in Tombodu, and held discussions on corruption in educational institutions. The team also visited the Tombodu Health Care Facility and Police Post, addressing concerns and emphasizing the importance of maintaining integrity in public service.
The meeting concluded with a strong commitment from Kamara Chiefdom’s leadership and residents to work with the ACC in combating corruption and promoting a transparent and accountable community.
