The Public Education Unit with support from the Investigations Unit of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Kono District, has engaged stakeholders, members of the Community Development Committee and residents of Sandor Chiefdom on best practicesrelating to the handling of community funds for development. This engagement was held at Yengema community on 23rd September 2024.
Speaking on the purpose of the meeting, the Regional Manager, Mrs. Hawanatu Omotayo Kamara said, itwas occasionedby allegations and concerns from members of the public, that the Diamond Area Community Development Funds (DACDF) are mismanaged by the Chiefdoms authorities. She furthered that the DACDF fund is not for an individual or group of individuals but a public fund meant for developmental projects at chiefdom levels.
Madam Hawanatu also stated that the DACDF are proceeds from taxes and licenses paid in respect of mining operations in the chiefdoms. Such monies should be diligently appropriated and used judiciously for it intended purpose, as mining activities will end but developmental activities should continue, she averred.
In regard accountability and transparency, the Manager underscored that all public funds should not be kept secret and that the community people should be aware of the amount of monies received and should be able to respond to questions and comments. She also disclosed that the communities through the ACC outreach programs, have been empowered and capacitated on how to detect corruption and corruption-related activities and more critically,on how to report corruption to the Commission. She therefore issued a stern warning to members of the Chiefdom Development Committee to desist from any dubious activities and make available to accountability institutions all documents when asked to so.
ACC’s Investigation Officer, Dauda Kaikai, in his submission, called on members of the community to refrain from any form of corruption as the Commission will not look at age, sex or position held in the chiefdom when it comes to the accountability of public funds. The ACC Investigator explained some of the key offences in the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008 and as amended in 2019; citing misappropriation of government and donor funds, abuse of office, peddling influence, bribery, conflict of interest etc. Each offence if indicted and found guilty, would require the individual to pay a fine of not less thanFifty (50) Thousand news Leones or imprisonmentnot less than Five (5) years or to both such fine and imprisonment,the Investigator added. He finally advised the Chiefdom Committee members and urged them to desist from all forms of corruption when handling chiefdom funds and to make public all funds generated from local taxes and other revenues.
Public Education Officer, ACC, Patricia J. Sannoh also took the participant through the process of reporting corruption to the Commission. In her presentation, Ms. Sannoh highlighted some of the gains made by the Commission through reporting corruption and the benefits of the whistle blower policy of the Commission. The Public Educator furtherexplained the channels of reporting corruption to the Commission such as, calling the free toll of 8515, 077985985, or 077-986986, or sending text messages or by visiting the office at 18 Sanssie Street. She encouraged them to be reporting corruption to the ACC as it is the only way the Commission will be aware of what is happening behind their backs. “Reporting corruption will bring to light surreptitious activities undertaken by authorities, the Public Educator concluded.
Making input on behalf of the Chiefdom Development Committee, Sahr Lebbie, a Committee member, expressed gratitude to the ACC for the good work they have been doing in ensuring corruption activities are minimized in the country. He assured the members of the Commission that the issues they have learned from the engagement, will be implemented as best practices in the handling funds of chiefdom development funds. Mr. Lebbie also implored members of the community to be whistle blowers of corruption especially those relating to education and health issues. “We are a law abiding people and are ready to work with the practices and procedures of the Anti-Corruption Commission in enhancing transparency, accountability and economic development”, Lebbie added.
