By: Amie Massaquoi, Information Officer
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) and the Governance Monitoring Network Sierra Leone (GM-Net) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), a significant step geared towards fostering transparency and public accountability in Sierra Leone. The signing ceremony took place on Friday, March 14, 2025, at the Conference Room of the ACC’s Integrity House, Tower Hill, Freetown.
In his Statement, the Deputy Commissioner of ACC, Augustine Foday Ngobie, welcomed the team from GM-Net, stating that it is of utmost importance for the partnership and a great milestone for both institutions, as the MOU signifies a collaborative commitment to fight corruption and promote accountability and good governance across the country. “The partnership aims to enhance mechanisms for monitoring and reporting corruption, ensuring adherence to ethical practices in public and private institutions,” he said.
The Deputy Commissioner added that the ACC has signed MOU with other institutions in the past to foster good relationship and to promote accountability and transparency in public service. He emphasized that the implementation of the text of the Memorandum of Understanding is key. He commended them for expressing interest and passion in the fight against corruption, stating that it is every citizen’s responsibility to combat corruption. “The fight against corruption is a collective action and the responsibility of all Sierra Leoneans. Even though the ACC is at the helm of the fight, the support of citizens will enhance the efforts of the Commission, he furthered.”
He encouraged GM-Net to serve as the eyes and ears of the Commission when delivering their mandate, which is monitoring and reporting on government and donor projects across the country. He added that ACC will always render its support to them as long as they work within the mandate and values of the MoU.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Director of GM-Net, Timothy A. Moses, thanked the Deputy Commissioner for the warm welcome accorded them. He commended the ACC for their immense contributions to ensuring good service delivery in governance. He furthered that the mandate of GM-Net resonates with that of ACC in relation to monitoring service delivery and fostering transparency, accountability in public service. He assured the Commission of its support to ensure a corrupt-free society.
The Director of Public Education and External Outreach Department, ACC, Patrick Sandi, who also served as the Chairman of the event, in his welcome statement, said the ACC believes in the importance of partnership in the fight against corruption. He encouraged GM-Net to put in efforts to maintain accountability and transparency in their day-to-day activities as they are now ambassadors of the ACC.
According the citation of the MoU, read by the Information Officer, ACC, Amie Massaquoi, the ACC and GM-Net have agreed to complement each other’s efforts in the fight against corruption especially in areas where their respective mandates are interrelated, including educating the public on corruption, its ill-effects, the benefits of a corrupt-free society, and integrity in public life.
The signing of the MoU by the Deputy Commissioner of ACC, Augustine Foday Ngobie and the Executive Director of GM-NET, Timothy A. Moses, climaxed the event.
