2024

ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION OF SIERRA LEONE

An independent institution established for the prevention, investigation, prosecution and punishment of corruption, corrupt practices and to provide for other related matters. 

Contact us on: +23278832131 or info@anticorruption.gov.sl
Address:  Integrity House, Tower Hill, Freetown Sierra Leone, West Africa.

WEEKLY NEWSLETTER Issue 2 Volume 23 24-28 June 2024

Public Education / Newsletters

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4. Page 4 Contd from Pg 1 the fight against corruption. He commended the ACC Leadership for the positive strides which the Commission has made. He added that through their flagship programs they will do all they could to educate the publi c about corruption and its negative effects on society. He furthered that this collaboration will instill con fidence in their audience as they promote ACC content. Earlier the Chairman of the event, Patrick Sandi, Director of Public Education and External Outreach Department, said the Commission is excited to see the energy and zest that the station have put int o this partnership. He said the partnership is a way to broaden the scope of communication and dissemination of ACC content s extensively. It could be recalled that some months ago, a team from Amaze TV met with the l eadership of the ACC to request for collaboration and partnership. This was the foundation of the relationship between both institutio ns. The citation of the MoU by Amie Massaquoi, Information Officer, ACC, spelled out the terms on which the MoU stands. According to the citation, ACC shall broadcast its jingles on Amaze - SL and participate in interviews on current and emerging issues relating to the work of the Commission and the fight against corruption. The signing of the MoU by the Deputy Commissioner ACC, Augustine Foday Ngobie and the Ag. CEO Amaze TV - SL Ibrahim Kargbo climaxed the event. By: Amie Massaquoi, Information Officer, ACC academic malpractices are criminal offences that attract, upon conviction, a fine of not less than Fifty (50) Thousand (New) Leones or a jail term of not less than five (5) years, or both such fine and imprisonment. He warned students of IMATT against making attempts to induce lecturers to get an undue advantage, stating th at it is a punishable offence, whilst admonishing lecturers not to yield to such attempts. “Section 28 and 33 of the 2008 Anti - Corruption Act (as amended in 2019) criminalizes bribery and corrupting a public o fficer, respectively,” he empasized. The Senior Communications Officer commended the administration of IMATT College for the warm reception accorded to the ACC. Senior Communications Officer, ACC, Margaret A. Jones, said that the engagement was intended to solicit the support, and most importantly encourage students and university authorities to refrain from engaging in any acts of corruption. She said that the Commission also aims to recruit the students as integrity ambassadors and establish an Accountability Now Club (ANC) at IMATT College. She concluded by explaining how to report instances of corruption to the ACC, adding that there is adequate protection of informants and whistleblowers. Concluding, Madam Jones shared the Commission’s toll - free lines of 8515 and 077 - 985 - 985/077 - 986 - 986 to the students in order to report acts of corruption, assuring them of full protection. Contd. from Pg 3 By: Alhaji A.K. Bangura, Senior Communications Officer , ACC

3. Page 3 I n its quest to curb corruption in all facets of society, the Anti - Corruption Commission (ACC) on Tuesday 25th June, 2024 held an engagement with students and staff of the International Management Accounting Technology and Tourism (IMATT) College at the institution’s Kingtom Campus, Freetown. The engagement was meant to share vital messages on the issues of examination malpractice and other forms of academic malpractices. In his welcome address, Amadu Justice Bah, Board Chairman of IMATT College, expressed his profound appreciation to the ACC for the sensitization drive. He assured the Commission of his institution’s commitment to sustained partnership in instilling integrity values within the learning atmosphere. He entreated the students and staff to imbibe these values and provide endless support to the national fight against corruption. He underscored that, since its establishment in 2009, IMATT College has exhibited commitment to quality education from its humble beginnings as an under basement syndicate and evolved into a premier educational institution, renowned for excellence and innovation. Mr . Bah furthered that because of its integrity, the institution was able to get accreditation from the Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) and affiliation with the prestigious University of Sierra Leone, which includes the constituent colleges of Fourah Bay College (FBC), Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM) and the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS). With this affiliation, he assured, the College will ensure that their programs meet the highest academic standards and provide for their students with a solid founda- tion for success that is the very reason why the ACC takes the fight against corruption to the college. Intimating students and staff of IMATT College on the purpose of the engagement, Communications Officer Dolly A. Issa, revealed that, ACC extended its olive branch to the College simply because the Commission recognizes the good work of the College. “Our goal is to institute moral values, ethical aptitude and integrity in the educational sector,” she averred. Giving an overview of the ACC and key corruption - related issues in the educational sector, Senior Communications Officer, ACC, Alhaji A. K. Bangura, emphasized the gains and successes of the ACC under the astute leadership of Francis Ben Kaifala Esq. Mr. Bangura described the engagement as part of the preventive mechanisms that the Com- mission employs in the fight against corruption. “Prevention is one of the approaches we use through public education, systems and processes review, Assets Declaration, among others. Only when these fail, then we resort to enforcement, which involves investigation and prosecution," he stated. Mr. Bangura further explained the major corruption offences in the academic sector, and their corresponding penalties as provided for under the Anti - Corruption Act 2008 (as amended in 2019). He said that pursuant to the said Act, all forms of Contd. on Pg 4 Students of IMATT College listening to the ACC messages Senior Communications Officer, Alhaji A.K. Bangura addressing the students By: Alhaji A.K. Bangura, Senior Communications Officer , ACC

1. 24th—28th June 2024 Issue 2 Volume 23 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 T he Anti - Corruption Commission (ACC) and Amaze Television SL on Thursday, 27 th June, 2024 signed a Memorandum of Under- standing (MoU) geared towards heightening citi- zens’ awareness on the anti - graft campaign. The signing ceremony took place, at the Conference Room of the ACC Integrity House, Tower Hill, in Freetown. The Memorandum of Un- derstanding seeks to bring the fight against corruption to the people through broadcasting of ACC information and reporting of petty corruption and to increase public awareness on the ills of corruption. The ACC believes that the media plays a crucial role in exposing corruption. Speaking at the event, the Deputy Commissioner, ACC, Augustine Foday Ngobie thanked Amaze Television for coming on board. “The fight against corruption is a collective responsibility, and the input of both parties to work in the interest of Sierra Leone” he said. He added that the ACC expects Amaze TV to independently disseminate reliable and factual news on the work of the Commission and other issues relating to the f ight against corruption. He furthered that the ACC’s core value is integrity and as partners they should walk in that direction. The anti - graft Deputy Commissioner encouraged them to work in sync with the dictates of the Anti - Corruption Act of 2008 as amended in 2019 as it is the guiding tool for the ACC. He commended them for their desire to help eliminate corruption in Sierra Leone and asked that they work in confines of the MoU. The acting Chief Executive Officer, Amaze TV - SL, Ibrahim Kargbo, thanked the Commission for granting them such opportunity to make a mark in the country by joining Contd on Pg 4 Ag CEO, Amaze TV - SL, Ibrahim Kargbo (L) and ACC’s Deputy Commissioner Augustine Foday in warm handshake after the signing ceremony ACC Deputy Commissioner, Augustine Foday Ngobie making a statement at the event By: Amie Massaquoi, Information Officer, ACC Group pic after the signing ceremony

2. Page 2 T he Public Education and External Outreach (PEO) team of the Anti - Corruption Commission (ACC), with funding from the World Bank, UNICEF, and the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) has on Friday 21 st June, 2024 concluded exhaustive and intensive three (3) different town hall meetings on the Productive Social Safety Net and Youth Employment (PSSNYE) project and the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) sensitization of cash transfer,which had commenced on Thursday 20 th June, 2024 in the North West Region of Sierra Leone. Two (2) awareness raising meetings on the Productive Social Safety Net and Youth Employment (PSSNYE) project were held in Port Loko and Kambia Districts on Thursday 20 th June, 2024. The first was convened at the Bundulai Town Hall along the Port Loko – Lungi highway, whilst the second was organized at the Paramount Chief Bai Shebora Lion II Court Barray in Mambolo Town, Mambolo Chiefdom, Kambia District. The third and final PSSNYE/GRM sensitization was held at the Kamakwei Town Court Barray, Sella Limba Chiefdom in Karene District on Friday 21 st June, 2024. Key stakeholders, including the aged, persons with disabilities and youth, formed targeted beneficiaries, after thorough mapping for sequential process of the PSSNYE project. Senior Communications Officer, Alhaji Abdul Karim Bangura, described the PSSNYE as a 42 - Million USDollar World Bank project implemented by the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA), the Ministry of Labour, Ministry of Youth Affairs and local councils across the country. The five - year project is meant to provide employment to young people, direct cash transfer to the aged and other vulnerable groups, and support to communities affected by natural disasters, he averred. He further explained that the engagement geared towards sen- sitizing and empowering prospective beneficiaries with regards Handing over of ACC - IEC materials to community elders by HoU, Michael Sesay Head of Unit. Public Education explaining the role of the ACC in the PSSNYE project the different components of the project. More im- portantly, the Commission desired that they fully un- derstand and grasp their dos and don’ts, much more directed where to seek redress whenever they feel dissatisfied, aggrieved, bullied, or cheated. Alhaji A.K. Bangura gave confidence and hope to his listeners that the Commission has fully resolved to maintain a corrupt - free PSSNYE project implementation. Speaking on the role of the ACC in the Productive Social Safety Net and Youth Employment (PSSNYE) project, Head of Public Education Unit (HOU), ACC, Michael Sesay said the ACC is monitoring the entire process as well as addressing grievances emanating from the PSSNYE. He underscored ACC’s involvement in the PSSNYE project, something that has brought about a high level of donor trust and confidence. Mr. Sesay further disclosed that even though some challenges fraught the project, through the intervention of the Commission’s Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM), almost all of those challenges have been addressed. Mr . Sesay also encouraged the prospective beneficiaries to understand that the PSSNYE project has been immeasurably expanded to include skilled youths of various categories of public works and entrepreneurship. He urged attendees to make better use of the accorded opportunities which focused on improving their livelihoods as well as ameliorate strains, hardships and untold sufferings meted out on them due to their socio - economic status. Senior Communications Officer, ACC, Margaret A. Jones, carefully dilated on the many operational corruption reporting channels at the Commission. She explained that aggrieved persons should always report corruption to the ACC in a bid to get their grievances addressed. In light of that, she called on the beneficiaries to be consistent and res- olute in reporting incidences of alleged corruption without any malice, through the toll - free lines of 8515 (Africell) 077 985 - 985 or 077 986 - 986. By: Alhaji A.K Bangura, Senior Communications Officer & Samuel Junisa Sankoh, Senior Public Educat ion Officer

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