By: Amie Massaquoi, Information Officer, ACC
The Director of Public Education and External Outreach Department at the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Patrick Sandi, told Civil Society Organizations and Media Practitioners that the ACC and by extension Sierra Leone has taken deliberate steps to implement provisions in the International Anti-Corruption Instruments such as, the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUCPCC) and the ECOWAS Protocol on Corruption. He made this statement in an event organized by Transparency Internation-Sierra Leone in YACAN Conference Hall, 18 Settra Kroo Street, Off Krootown Road, Freetown, on the 19th September, 2024.
In his detailed and comprehensive presentation, Patrick Sandi highlighted key progress made in the implementation of the UNCAC, the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption and the ECOWAS Protocol on Corruption. He gave a brief background to the establishment of the ACC, pursuant to the Anti-Corruption Act of 2000 which he further said was subsequently repealed and replaced by the 2008 Act. This establishment he continued, was also in sync with the UNCAC that Sierra Leone is a signatory to and has ratified and domesticated same.
Mr. Sandi added that the Commission has adopted measures to protect whistleblowers, informants and witnesses relating to the fight against corruption. “The Commission has a Witness Protection Unit that handles matters that relate to whistle blowers and witnesses as provided for in Sections 81, 82 and 83 of the Anti-Corruption Act 2008 (as amended in 2019)” he furthered.
Director further explained to the audience about the offences and punishments in the ACA with emphasis on the new offences, and the increase in fines from thirty thousand to fifty thousand Leones and jail term from three years to five years. He also elaborated on Laundering of the Proceeds of Corruption, Illicit Enrichment, Extradition, Confiscation and Seizure of the proceeds of corruption, Bank Secrecy, Access to Information among others.
Stating the purpose of the event, Edward Koroma, the Acting Executive Director of Transparency International-Sierra Leone, said TI-Sierra Leone is implementing a project titled “Stopping Impunity for Corruption through Enhanced Accountability”. He highlighted the key objective of the project, which is to identify loopholes in the fight against corruption in Sierra Leone and come up with possible solutions to make the fight effective by reducing impunity. “One of the objectives of this project is to engage stakeholders to gather database which can be used to strengthen the fight against corruption and ensuring effective implementation of the Anti-Corruption laws” he averred.
Transparency Internation Sierra Leone is a non-profit, non-governmental anti-corruption advocacy civil society organization aimed at promoting integrity, ethics and anti-corruption values for national development. TI-Sierra Leone is significant force in ensuring the country is free from corruption and its negative effects.
