4. Page 4 Contd. from Pg 1 .in the Education Sector. They did not want to be part of a project that could house girls .under those circumstances. As a result, the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) was asked to explore alternative us- es for the hostels to ensure they do not exacerbate GBV risks. This has led to delays in progress with the project. Based on physical verification of the site, the structures appeared to be complete, as the building is equipped with doors, windows, ceilings, floors, toilets, and baths, all of which were found to be in place and functional . Additionally, the hostel is designed in a U - shape and it includes four dormitories, WASH facilities made up of 18 toilet cubicles and 16 shower points, an infirmary, a read- ing area, a reception, and a newly constructed well with a Contd. from Pg 2 submersible pump. In light of all the above, the Commission therefore concludes that the funds allocated for the project are being judiciously utilized for their intended purposes, and that the project was neither abandoned nor the funds mismanaged. High level authorities, including the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, have been notified on the need to engage donor partners to overcome the GBV concerns they had raised. Substan- tial progress is already underway in that regard. The Commission extends its profound thanks and appreciation to the Whistleblower and the Public for their interest and patience while it diligently investigated this matter. anti - corruption measures would enhance farmers’ incomes and reduce poverty. Public Education Officer, David Garrick, encouraged the AVDP staff to report any suspe cted corrupt activities to the ACC toll free lines: 8515, 077986986 or 077985985. He emphasized the significance of their partici pation in the fight against corruption and assured them of ACC’s commitment to protect informants and witnesse s. Earlier in the meeting, the Project Manager of AVDP, Madam Monica Kwame - Greene, dilated on the objectives of the project and how they have been working with stakeholders and beneficiaries over the years. Madam Kwame - Greene commended ACC’s remarkable progress in the control of corruption using diverse mechanisms. She informed the Commission of the robust, transparent and accountable system AVDP and its international development partners have put in place to forestall dishonest practices in procurement process. The Project Manag er further assured ACC of their willingness to institute anti - corruption measures and called on her colleagues to heed to the advice. A questions and answer session climaxed the meeting.

2. Page 2 Consistent with its sustained public education drive, the Anti - Corruption Commission (ACC) office in Bo has conveyed integrity messages to staff of Agriculture Value Chain Development Project (AVDP). The meeting was held on Wednesday, 25 th September, 2024, at AVDP’s Conference Room at 183 Old Railway Line, Messima in Bo City, Bo District. Speaking to staff of AVDP, ACC’s Senior Public Education Officer, Abdulai Saccoh, highlighted the critical role of agriculture in the country’s ambition to attain increased agricultural productivity, food security, poverty reduction and inclusive economic growth. Mr Saccoh asserted that instituting thorough corruption control measures in all project implementa- tion are unquestionably necessary not only to ensure the desired objectives are achieved but also launder the country’s image. He recog- nized that corruption can undermine the country’s aspiration to attain Government’s Feed Salone initiative and also United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 2. Mr. Saccoh acknowledged the challenges project of such nature is con- fronted with and admonished them to adhere to strict procurement regula- tions, ensure prudent financial management, enforce disciplinary measures amongst staff without bias, introduce log book for vehicles and motorbikes bought from project funds, institute measures to ensure proper handling of public and donor property and embark on a robust supervision of staff as some of the measures that can help avert corruption vulnerability. In his statement, ACC’s Senior Investigation Officer, Ishmael Kamara, stated that the Commission during the course of its investigation does not witch - hunt but rather it is an evidence led process. Mr. Kamara mirrored on the new procurement trick called “Bid suffocation” and warned against such dishonest practice. He further explained some of the offences, such as , possession of unexplained wealth, offering, soliciting or accepting an advantage, bid rigging, impeding investment, abuse of office, abuse of position, misappropri- ation of public funds or property, misappropriation of donor funds or property, receiving gift for corrupt purposes and conspiracy. Mr Kamara reminded the participants of the consequences that await anyone convicted of corruption offences - which will amount to a fine of not less than Fifty Thousand Leones, or imprisonment for a term not less than five years, or both fine and prison term. In his submission, Public Education Officer, Mohamed Abdulai Kabba, emphasized the significance of AVDP’s project in targeting rural households and promoting climate change resilience programs. Mr Kabba highlighted the potential the project has in transforming the agriculture sector to a more productive and sustainable one. He urged AVDP staff to adequately utilize project funds meant for the benefits of its targeted beneficiaries, noting that, enforcing ACC and AVD project staff during the sen- sitization meeting ACC and AVD Project staff after the sensitization meeting Contd. on Pg 4

3. Page 3 T he Public Education Officer of the Anti - Corruption Commission (ACC) Regional Office in Kono Patricia J. Sannoh has urged girls, women, children, youth, non - governmental organizations, government stakehold- ers, and chiefdom authorities in the district to join the fight against corruption. She was speaking during the celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child organized by the Kono Children Educational Foundation (KONOCEF) at the Sessie Gbenda Hall in Koidu City, Kono District on the 11 th October, 2024. As the Guest Speaker of the event, Ms. Sannoh expressed gratitude to the organizers of the event and further explained the mandate of the ACC, which is to lead the fight against corruption in the country. She highlighted some of the gains made by the Commission in the fight against the scourge, such as the very high rate of conviction, recovery of stolen assets and funds from corrupt officials, and the consecutive high score in the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Scorecard ‘Control of Corruption’ Indicator in the last six years. She continued that Sierra Leone has also been ranked high in other global, regional and domestic transparency ratings. During the event to mark the International Day of the Girl Child Dilating on the importance of the theme for this year, which is ‘Girls Vision for the Future’, Ms Sannoh said that this year’s theme is to listen to girls and invest in proven solutions in accelerating progress towards a future in which every girl fulfills their potential. This, she furthered, cannot be achieved if societal ills like child abuse, early marriages, teenage pregnancy etc. are not properly tackled. She also said that, the significance of the event is to deepen the awareness surrounding various Sustainable Development Goals that are crucial to empowering girls. This year’s theme, according to the Public Education Officer, is about raising the voices of girls and focusing on their aspirations for a better future; this, she said, can be achieved with the support of all and sundry. She therefore reminded stakeholders of their commitment to advancing the rights of girls and to take concrete steps towards creating an inclusive and equitable world where girls can reach their full potentials. Ms . Sannoh further lamented on the importance of girls in nation building and the future that lies ahead of them, and admonished pupils, principals and school authorities to embrace integrity, transparency and accountability. She added that examination malpractice is an impediment to girl education and further expressed disappointment in the just - released WASSCE results wherein a good number of results were withheld primarily as a result of the high level of examination malpractices. Ms. Sannoh concluded by saying that in order to secure the future of the girl child, the fight against corruption should also be prioritized; adding that, it is the more reason why the Commission has been conducting ‘Meet the Schools’ campaigns and establishment of Integrity Clubs in schools. She said these activities are geared towards raising awareness on the dangers of corruption in schools and its negative effects on the socio - economic development of the nation. The Manager of KONOCEF Glenis Mani Ngaujah, thanked the Guest Speaker for her speech and for the gains made by the Commission. He added that the empowerment of girls is fundamental to sustaining a peaceful and just society. The District Head of the Ministry of Social Welfare in Kono, John A Smith, said that the Ministry has tremendously supported the empowerment of girls in the country, including supporting organisations that implement girls’ and children’s programmes. He called on all stakeholders to step up and help turn their visions and aspirations for children into reality. By: Patricia J. Sannoh - PEO - Kono District

1. 21st —25th October 2024 Issue 2 Volume 40 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 successful completion of the project. According to a media release from the ACC, the Commission conducted a comprehensive investigation into the allegations. Consequently, many persons of in- terest, including the Project Manager, Ambrose T. Sesay and the Procurement Manag- er, Mohamed Kallon, were interviewed by the Commission. The Commission also dispatched investigators to the project site in Kailahun to do a verification of the status of the said construction and to obtain documents for further analysis. According to the media release, the Commission found out that the hostel project was awarded to Unique Solutions Company Ltd. in March 2022. The contract was funded by the World Bank at a value of Four Billion, Four Hundred and Seventy - three Million, Seven Hundred and Eighteen Thousand, Two Hundred and Thirty (Old) Leones (Le 4,473,718,230). The release further states that the Commission’s verification of the project site showed that practical completion of the project has been achieved with about 90% of the work completed. A certificate of practical completion was issued, and respective amounts a ccruing to 90% of the contract sum has been disbursed to the contractor. The outstanding works include the installation of gates, and a solar - powered electricity system. These were not completed due to the project’s isolated location and ongoing discussions about additional modifications to the original contract, which was suggested by representatives from the World Bank during a site visit in 2023. It was suggested at that time for additional facilities to be added including perimeter fence, external kitchen and dining hall, playground, and a canopy for the concrete benches. However, formal instructions for these additional works have not yet been issued as at the time of the investigation. Also, the Commission confirmed that donor partners, including the World Bank, raised T he Anti - Corruption Commission (ACC) says it has concluded investigations into allegations of misappropria- tion of public/donor funds allocated for the construction of a 300 - Bed hostel/Boarding Home for Girls under the Free Quality Education Project in Kaniya, Luawa Chiefdom, Kailahun District, which was shared widely on social media by a Whistleblower. The allegations were specifically made against Ambrose T. Sesay, the Project Coordinator, Free Quality Education Project and Mohamed Kallon, the Procurement Manager, who were tasked with overseeing and ensuring the Contd on Pg 4