By: Alex A. Bah, Public Relations Assistant, ACC

The Deputy Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Augustine Foday Ngobie, has urged project staff of the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) component of the Productive Social Safety Net and Youth Employment (PSSNYE) project to uphold the highest standards of diligence in the implementation of the project. He made the call during a five-day training session on Finalizing the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) Manual and Report Writing. The training, being held from 15th to 18th October 2024 at the former WFP Hall in Port Loko in the north-west region of Sierra Leone, aims to review the implementation of the PSSNYE project and equip staff with the skills needed to enhance their monitoring efforts and ensure the effective execution of this poverty alleviation initiative.

Mr. Ngobie emphasized the staff's critical responsibility to maintain the seamless implementation of the project. He stressed the importance of addressing any potential anomalies promptly to safeguard the program's integrity and impact. "The Government and the people of Sierra Leone rely on, trust, and depend on us to ensure scrupulous monitoring so that this social safety initiative can be implemented successfully," he stated.

The Deputy Commissioner also encouraged staff to ensure timely reporting, particularly concerning grievance issues, to keep the World Bank and other partners informed, as the Commission places a high value on real-time reporting. He said that, at the last stakeholders' meeting in Freetown, several issues were raised, especially concerning the Payment Service Provider, including recent anomalies detected during payment exercises. These issues led to the termination of certain service agreements and ongoing reviews. He disclosed that investigators had been approved to visit the affected communities and reiterated the Commission's commitment to ensuring that those involved face the consequences. "These funds are meant for specific, identified beneficiaries and must not be misappropriated," Mr Ngobie said.

Earlier, the ACC's Project Coordinator, Patrick Monrovia, commended the Deputy Commissioner for his careful supervision and guidance in overseeing the implementation of the GRM. He noted that the refresher trainings are designed to better equip staff, and the Deputy Commissioner's presence and encouragement added a motivational boost to their work.

The Deputy Commissioner's address concluded with a question-and-answer session