4. Page 4 Contd from Pg 1 UNCAC), providing an alternative to the prosecution of corruption cases, particularly those relating to misappropriation. He also highlighted the success stories of this model, adding that earlier this year, the ACC recovered 8.6 Million (New) Leones in less than a month, including imposing a ban on holding public offices by the culprits. “Had these cases gone through the traditional court system, we would have expended huge resources with uncer- tain outcomes,” he concluded. Chairman of CONAC Reverend Dr. Dieudonné Massi Gams expressed appreciation of the ACC's work, adding, “Today, just like not so long ago when you presented this report in Ghana, we were very impressed. This is why we felt the need to come and learn.” He emphasized the importance of sharing effective strategies across Africa to build a stronger continent. Dr. Gams further noted the shared challenges of civil unrest driven by corruption in both Cameroon and Sierra The visiting team and ACC’s Management in group photo after the initial engagement Leone. He lauded the Political Will demonstrated in Sierra Leone as a crucial factor in its successes against corruption, remarking, “You are youth, and you have all these initiatives; this is very commendable.” Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner, ACC, Augustine Foday Ngobie whilst welcoming the Cameroonian team, dilated on the ACC's formation in 2000 as an outcome of the Truth and Reconciliation Report, which identified corruption as one of the major antecedents to the country’s civil unrest. He assured the delegation that insights into the Commission’s successes, including the Non - Conviction - Based Asset Recovery Model, would be thoroughly shared. The visiting delegation also comprised, Mrs. Irene Morikang Tche, Head of the Prevention and Communication Division, and Djomguemngoko Diminique, Assistant Research Officer in the Cooperation and Study Division. The engagement culminated in the presentation of an award to the Commissioner and Deputy, followed by a tour of the ACC's Operational Departments, where Directors dilated and elaborated on their various works and activities and their corresponding positive impacts on the fight against corruption in the country. This visit does not only foster knowledge exchange but also strengthens regional ties in the ongoing fight against corruption whilst notably underscoring the increasing interest among African nations in Sierra Leone’s effective strategies, approaches and methodologies employed in combating the scourge. The team also participated in key current affairs programs on television and radio, in order to interact with the populace and explain their expectations and reasons for choosing Sierra Leone for benchmarking and study visit regarding the fight against corruption. In addition, the team paid working visits to the Acting Auditor - General of the Audit Service Sierra Leone, the Acting Chief Justice of the Judiciary of Sierra Leone and the Inspector General of the Sierra Leone Police. By: Alex A. Bah, Public Relations Assistant, ACC

3. Page 3 I n Sierra Leone, corruption is a widespread problem threatening the country's basic fabric. It continues to be a reputational risk, weakens public confidence, impedes economic growth, and maintains inequality. Effective corruption control measures and interagency collaboration are crucial to battling this epidemic because they will guarantee smooth cooperation in combatting this scourge. Important components of the battle against corruption are establishing and adhering to international standards and best practices, strict enforcement of the law, and efficient cooperation and coordination between Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) the Anti - Corruption Commission (ACC), and various other agencies. Who Owns the Auditor General’s Report The Constitution of Sierra Leone, 1991 (Act No. 6 of 1991), gives Parliament the ownership over the Auditor General’s Report in Section 119(4), which states that “ (4) The Auditor - General shall, within twelve months of the end of the immediately preceding financial year, submit his report to Parliament and shall in that report draw at- tention to any irregularities in the accounts audited and to any other matter which in his opinion ought to be brought to the notice of Parliament ”. Furthermore, 119(5) provides for the setting up of a committee to deliberate on the findings therein contained in it, in this case, the PAC; “ Parliament shall debate the report of the Auditor - General and appoint where necessary in the public inter- est a committee to deal with any matters arising there- from”. These constitutional provisions stated above, make it distinctly clear as to how the Auditor General’s Report should be owed and acted upon. With this backdrop, it is crystal clear who the owners of the Auditor General’s report are and where the ACC comes in under their mandate. Roles of the ACC and the PAC of Parliament Regarding the Auditor General’s Report The Anti - Corruption Commission (ACC) of Sierra Leone is responsible for investigating and prosecuting cases of corruption and related offenses under the Anti - Corruption Act of 2008. Section 7(1)(a) “ to take all steps as may be necessary for the prevention, eradication or suppression of corruption and corrupt practices;” mandates the ACC to take all steps necessary to curb corruption in Sierra Leone, most of which the Auditor General’s Report speaks to. Also, Subsection (2)(b) gives the power to the Commission “to detect or investigate any act of corruption; ” and (c) “to investigate the conduct of any person which, in the opinion of the Commission is conducive to or connected with, corruption;” and the Audi- tor General’s Report is mostly a valid source to detect corruption. In all this, the ACC, through an Act enacted by the Parliament works to prevent corruption by promoting transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct among government officials and other stakeholders. On the flip side, being the constitutional owners of the Auditor General’s Report, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Sierra Leone Parliament is responsible for examining and scrutinizing the annual Audit Reports of Audit Service Sierra Leone (ASSL) to ensure that public funds are utilized effectively, efficiently, and transparently. The PAC as provided for in Act No. 6 of 1991, Section 119 (5), reviews the audit reports of Government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) and holds them accountable for any irregularities and deviations from the required standards and procedures. Relationship between the ACC and the PAC concerning the ASSL Report The ACC and PAC of the Sierra Leone Parliament have a cooperative and complimentary partnership. When it comes to looking into and prosecuting people who have embezzled or misused public monies, the ACC consults with several sources in addition to the ASSL's findings. In addition, the PAC holds MDAs responsible for their financial management using the ASSL reports. In summary, while the ACC is responsible for taking legal action against individuals found to have engaged in corruption, the PAC of the Sierra Leone Parliament is focused on ensuring that public funds are managed properly and MDAs are held accountable for their financial performance. Both organizations harness the ASSL Audit Reports to carry out their respective responsibilities. By : Bernard Abass Kargbo, Public Education Officer, ACC

2. Page 2 T he Regional Manager of the Anti - Corruption Commission (ACC) in the North - West Re- gion, Madam Fatu Florence Kamara has told staff and volunteers of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security that the Commission is poised to sanitize the agriculture sector and maximize its potential for the development of the nation. She expressed this strong determination during a preventive customized engagement on the 12 th September, 2024 at the Ministry's District Office in Port Loko. Giving an update on the significant strides in the fight against corruption, Manager Kamara underscored the role of the agriculture sector in propelling economic growth and emphasized that the sustained presence of corruption has adversely affected the realization of the sector being an engine for economic growth in Sierra Leone. She pointed out that the Commission is concerned with the utilization and management of inputs, machinery and other support in terms of supply and distribution of fertilizers, seedling management and resources allocated to the Ministry. She informed them that the ACC in 2012 and 2016 had made interventions in the Ministry that resulted in putting together an institutional anti - corruption policy and monitoring for compliance at the Ministry of Agriculture respectively and will continue to do same in addressing other malfeasance in the sector. The Regional Manager further explained the related corruption offences but not limited to misappropriation of public funds and property, protection of public revenue, abuse of office and position and influencing a public officer, offering, soliciting and accepting advantage, bid rigging among others. In his statement, the ACC’s Public Education Officer, Mohamed Thullah, encouraged the leadership of the Ministry to establish and operationalize Integrity Management Committee to internalize the fight against corruption. He further stated that an effective and efficient IMC will promote strong internal system to controlling corruption on a sustainable basis for the efficient management of resources and maintaining best practices. He also underscored the significance of maintaining high ethical standards and integrity and admonished them to resist and reject demands of corruption and to be mindful of their interaction with the public as well as supporting the fight against corruption. Earlier in his brief statement, the Senior Public Education Officer Junisa Sankoh said the customized meeting was one of the many public education engagements undertaken by the Commission to educate the public on the evils of corruption, as well as building public support and explained key approaches to the fight against graft. Welcoming the ACC team, the District Agriculture Officer, Emmanuel Ballah Marah thanked the ACC for considering the Ministry of Agriculture to benefit from the Commission’s public education drive that will immensely serve as a guide to the workforce of the Ministry. He expressed conviction that getting the agriculture sector right means getting the economy right and eventually will impact the development of the State. He therefore called for a holistic approach to the fight against corruption whilst citing climate change challenges that have significantly affected farming activities and yield across the country. Presentation of IEC materials and questions and answers session formed part of the engagement. Presentation of IEC Materials to the Port Loko District Agriculture Officer (right) Emmanuel Ballah Marah by the ACC Regional Manager - Madam Fatu Florence Kamara

1. 16th—20th September, 2024 Issue 2 Volume 35 INTEGRITY HOUSE, TOWER HILL FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE EDITORIAL TEAM EDITOR - IN - CHIEF Abubakarr Turay EDITORS Sylvanus Blake Alex A. Bah LAYOUT & GRAPHICS Philippa M. Davies EDITORIAL ADVISERS Augustine Foday Ngobie Patrick Sandi Tower Hill Freetown. Led by its Chairman, Reverend Dr. Dieudonné Massi Gams, the delegation is on a three - day study visit focusing on the Commission’s innovative “Non - Conviction - Based Asset Recovery Model” in combating corruption. In a joint meeting with staff of the ACC - SL and the visiting Team, Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala Esq. provided an overview of the Non - Conviction - Based Asset Recovery Model. He noted that upon taking office, he identified the challenges posed by low costs of corruption and judicial processes. With cases he said, I n a strong display of regional collaboration, the Anti - Corruption Commission, Sierra Leone (ACC - SL), on Tuesday 17th September, 2024, hosted officials from the National Anti - Corruption Commission of Cameroon (CONAC) at its Conference Room, Integrity House, Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala Esq. taking the team through the ACC’s Non - Conviction Asset Based Recovery Model . often languishing in the High Court for 3 to 6 years, the Commission had a significant backlog of cases. To address this he added, informed the establishment of a specialized “Anti - Corruption Division” within the High Court, with dedicated Judges aimed at expediting cases related to corruption. “We adopted a pragmatic approach to fighting corruption,” Commissioner Kaifala explained. He acknowledged the judicial system's constraints and the high burden of proof in criminal cases, which can favour the defense. This understanding he underscored, led to the incorporation of the Non - Conviction - Based Asset Recovery Model, as articulated in the United Nations Convention Against Corruption ( By: Alex A. Bah, Public Relations Assistant, ACC ACC - SL Commissioner and Deputy displaying their awards with the Chairman, CONAC . Reverend Dr. Dieudonné Massi Gams, Chairman, CONAC (R) Mrs. Irene Morikang Tche, Head of the Prevention and Communica- tion Division (M), and Djom- guemngoko Diminique, Assistant Research Officer in the Cooperation and Study Division (L) Engagement in progress Contd on Pg 4