By: Aiah P.M. Sourie, Ag. Head of Outreach Unit
As part of its sustained efforts to strengthen grassroots support to thwart corruption, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), through its Outreach Unit, engaged petty traders on an integrity campaign at Congo Town Market in Freetown, 15 April 2026. The engagement was a prevention approach informed by the need to mobilise collective action against corruption within the informal sector of the economy.
In his keynote statement, Head of the Unit, Aiah Sourie, thanked the executive of the market for hosting the ACC and urged them to take leadership to help contain corruption. Highlighting the effects of corruption on the informal economy – including tax evasion, undercover business transactions, and the widening income gap between the formal and informal sectors – Mr. Sourie stressed the benefits of a corruption-free country.
Besides improved social facilities such as quality education and sustainable free health care, he cited increased foreign investments and job creation for young people as some of the advantages of a corruption-free country. He added, “This is a national dream we should all work to achieve for the common good. Although you may not be working in a government institution, you owe the nation compliance with its anti-corruption laws in your daily interaction with service providers and the public.”
He cited bribery and profiteering as common unethical practices in the sector, which he referred to as mostly unregulated and a breeding ground for illegal transactions that deprive government of needed funds.
Margaret Jones, ACC Senior Communication Officer, commended the traders for their dedicated service to the public but urged them to uphold integrity at all times. While she underscored the need for all citizens to demand social accountability from public officers, Ms. Jones encouraged the traders to abstain from adulterating food items to maximize profit. This act, she averred, is not only harmful to the health of ‘your unsuspecting customers’, but also an indication of a serious moral deficit that should be adequately addressed.
The officer further made clear that citizens, who may not be in public offices, should adopt acceptable practices as a commitment to nation building and national development. Ms. Jones emphasized, “Unless we act responsibly – that is – we refrain from doing anything or everything injurious to the development of our country and commit to pursuing national interest above self, we have little or no moral grounds to demand accountability from our leaders, or bring them to court on alleged charges.”
Responding to the anti-corruption messages, Kadie Kamara, chair of the Market’s executive, commended the engagement calling corruption as a common enemy that should be aggressively dealt with. Md. Kamara remarked that traders at the Congo Town Market have striven to observe ethical conduct in dealings with the public. She pledged on behalf of her community to support the anti-corruption efforts at all times.
