The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Regional Office in Kono, in its determination to curb corruption in tertiary institutions and other educational institutions, on 15th February 2022, engaged students, administrative and academic staff of the Government Technical Institute (GTI) in Simbakoro Section in Koidu, Kono District.
The Institute is currently implementing the Skills Development Project for various categories of youth in the district that is intended to create job opportunities for students upon completion of their training.
ACC’s Regional Manager in Kono, Hawanatu O. Kamara, in her presentation, informed the rapt listeners about similar engagements the Commission has held in schools and other institutions across the country with the purpose of encouraging the recipients to resist, reject and report corruption occurrences in their respective institutions to the Commission. “Meet the School and University campaigns are part of the ACC’s strategies in imbibing the culture of integrity in pupils/students and their tutors, and is an on-going exercise”, she affirmed.
In underlining some basic corruption offences prevalent in tertiary institutions that are widely committed by students and their tutors/lecturers, ACC’s Kono District Monitor Patrick Hinga George mentioned among others, the payment for assignments and grades, payment for undeserved promotion to other levels, offering of bribes and other inducements to tutors/lecturers, examination malpractices and the misappropriation and embezzlement of donor or public funds and property.
Mr George further reminded the audience about the penalties of any of the above mentioned offences ranging from at least a Fifty Million Leones fine or a prison term of at least five years or both fine and imprisonment.
ACC’s Senior Public Education Officer Sam P. Gogra, in elucidating the gains of the Commission under the erudite leadership of Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala Esq., highlighted the many national and international ratings, high rate of conviction and the recovery of huge cash and physical assets, among others. He therefore appealed to the audience to have confidence in the Commission in the fight against corruption, and always call 077-985985, 077 -986986 and 515, to report corruption incidences.
Mr. Gogra further urged tutors in grade 7 and above and those below but with fiduciary responsibilities to declare their assets and liabilities online on or before 31st March 2022 to avoid punitive measures from the Commission.
Responding, Finance Officer of the Institute Alhaji Alusine Timbo, commended the ACC for its robust stance in tackling corruption. He assured the ACC of his institution’s readiness to always address issues that will tend to undermine integrity and the trustworthiness of the institution.
