The Regional Office of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in Kono has held a successful interactive engagement with staff of the Network Movement for Justice and Development (NMJD) aimed at mainstreaming anti-corruption measures in their programmes and strengthen ties to tackle corrupt activities in the district. The session was held on Wednesday 17th November, 2021at the District Office of the NMJD in Koidu City.
NMJD is a civil society organization that has been partnering with the ACC in the fight against corruption.
ACC’s Public Education Officer Kono Sam P. Gogra stated that it is part of the mandate of the Commission to form strong alliances with credible and notable institutions and solicit their unflinching support in the fight against the scourge. He reminded the participants that the Commission does not work in isolation but collaboratively with other pillars of integrity in the anti-corruption campaign.
Mr. Gogra said internal control measures should be the priority of the organisation by mainstreaming anti-corruption measures in their operations.
The Public Education Officer also informed the NMJD staff about some corruption offences often committed by officials in the public and private sectors, including but not limited to bribery, misappropriation of donor/public funds/property. He warned that any person convicted of any of these offences will be fined not less than Fifty Million Leones, serve a prison term of not less than Five Years, or face both such fine and prison term.
Public Education Officer, Hawa Deen Conteh, said the country has made significant gains in the fight against corruption under the astute leadership of Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala Esq. She mentioned the monumental cash recovery of over Thirty Billion Leones and other physical assets in the last three years. She also made reference to the Millennium Challenge Corporation Scorecard published recently in which the country passed the Mandatory Control of Corruption Indicator with 83%. She therefore encouraged everyone to have confidence in the Commission and always resist, reject and report corruption incidences through the toll free lines of 515, 077-985985 or 077-986986.
In his welcome statement, Manager of NMJD Joseph S. Ansumana thanked the ACC for engaging and sensitizing his staff on corruption issues, which he said will guide their operations and enhance quality service delivery. He further stated that his institution is a non-profit making organisation that has always upheld the principles of accountability and transparency in the implementation of programmes and the distribution of resources.
Mr. Ansumana made reference to the days his organization collaborated with the ACC in implementing the Pay No Bribe Campaign and further hope for similar partnership in future.
A question and answer session and the distribution of IEC materials formed part of the programme.
