The Regional Manager of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Office in Kono, Hawanatu Omotayo Kamara, has made a passionate plea to inhabitants and stakeholders of Papuima and Gandorhun in the Gbane Chiefdom to resist, reject and report to the Commission, all forms of corruption offences in their respective communities as they occur.
She made these pleas during the community sensitization meetings on the 25th and 26th April 2023 in Papuima and Gandorhun respectively.
She reminded the participants in the respective engagements about similar interactive sessions organized by the ACC in other chiefdoms in the District. She said, community sensitization on the ills of corruption is one of the most reliable strategies that the Commission employs in winning the fight against the scourge. “I encourage you all, to fully support the ACC by reporting every instance of corruption in your community to enhance improved service delivery,’’ said the Regional Manager, during the community meeting in Papuima.
Madam Hawanatu Kamara furthered that, the engagements will provide the enabling environment to establish effective partnership with the community people and also empower them to always report instances of corruption to the Commission. “The fight against corruption is a national concern that requires the involvement of every Sierra Leonean irrespective of location”, she averred.
ACC’s Public Education Officer Kono, Hawa Deen Conteh informed the audiences about the Commission’s recovery of over Forty Billion (Old) Leones from the out of court settlements under the present leadership of Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala Esq., coupled with the over 90 percent conviction rate of corrupt individuals. “These achievements also include, the recovery of physical assets and high positive ratings of the Commission and Sierra Leone in the various national and international indexes relating to the fight against corruption,’’ she maintained.
She therefore urged the participants to join the Commission in fighting corruption for the socio- economic development of their communities and the nation.
Senior Public Education Officer, ACC Kono, Sam P. Gogra, in his submission reminded the communities about some of the offences committed by community stakeholders that fall under the ACC Act of 2008 as amended in 2019. He identified the following: misappropriation of project and community funds and other resources, conspiracy, soliciting and accepting an advantage by contractors and public officers before, during and after the much needed services, among many others. He clearly stated that each of the offences attracts a fine of not less than Fifty Million Leones (Old Notes) or a five-year prison term upon conviction by the Court of law.
While assuring the participants that the Commission is determined to improve the lives of every Sierra Leonean in ensuring that all forms of corruption are eliminated, the Senior Public Educator entreated his listeners to always contact the ACC Kono Regional Office or call the toll free lines of 077-985985/986986 to report corruption offences to the ACC for prompt action.
Earlier in his statement, the Town Chief of Papuima, Kai P. James commended the ACC for such interactive engagement. He said they are pleased to have the ACC in their midst noting that, such engagement will help them identify corruption issues in their community and report same to the Commission.
