By: Mohamed A. Kabba, Public Education Officer, ACC
The Public Education Unit of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Southern Region Office in Bo has in an engagement with staff and Management of Care International discussed the benefits of safeguarding Public/Donor Funds and Property.
This engagement took place on Thursday, 31st August, 2023, at the Conference Room of Care International, Kebbie Town, in Bo. The engagement was mainly to discuss the importance of integrity and professionalism on the utilization of public/donor funds and property.
In his address, Public Education Officer, Mohamed A. Kabba, stated that since Care International provides humanitarian assistance and emergency relief in the school feeding programme, epidemic control and enforcement of health services, construction of feeder roads, among others, he advised that they should do so with integrity and transparency. This, he furthered, will help the country in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Mr. Kabba, while explaining some of the provisions of the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008 as amended in 2019 informed them that stiffer punishments and fines await any person working contrary to the provisions of the Act. He encouraged the audience to work towards the consolidation and preservation of the gains made under the tenure of Francis Ben Kaifala by protecting public/donor funds and property.
In her presentation, the Team Lead of Care International, Rose G. Kamara, applauded the Commission for the marvelous job done in the fight against corruption, reiterating that her organisation holds integrity, transparency and accountability as part of its core values. She said that Care International has zero tolerance for corruption, and strong policies that prohibit fraudulent behaviors, adding that the institution’s financial transactions are purely electronic-based, as a means to avoid financial malfeasance during project implementation.
Earlier, an intern from the National Youth Service Corps attached to the ACC, Sorie Yealie Kamara, said that the Commission does not fight corruption in isolation, as it engages in partnership, education, prevention, to combat the scourge. He said that Care International would only achieve its set objectives in addressing the socio-economic needs of the people of Sierra Leone if all corruption-related issues are not treated with levity.
While moderating the question and answer session, Public Education Officer, ACC, David Garrick, said that “the fight against corruption should be our collective and individual responsibility,” noting that the survival and interest of the country should always come first. “Our individual ambition and self-satisfaction should not be seen getting on the way of national progress and development,” he concluded.
