By: Dolly A. Issa, Communications Officer, ACC
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has on Tuesday 24th June 2025, engaged students and staff of the Freetown Polytechnic, Kissy Campus, on corruption-related issues during a sensitization meeting held at the institution’s Sir Alfred Jones Hall, Kissy Dockyard, in Freetown.
The engagement formed part of the Commission’s nationwide outreach efforts aimed at promoting anti-corruption values, integrity, and accountability, especially among young people and the academic community.
Welcoming the ACC team, the Registrar of the institution, Moses Sowa, thanked the Commission for choosing the Polytechnic for such a critical awareness-raising exercise. He described the fight against corruption as a shared responsibility, noting that meaningful progress in the nation’s development depends largely on eliminating corrupt practices. He pledged the support of the institution in advancing the anti-corruption cause.
Giving an overview of the Commission’s work, Senior Communications Officer, Alhaji A.K. Bangura explained that the ACC is mandated to prevent, investigate, and prosecute corruption, as well as educate the public on the dangers it poses. He noted that while Sierra Leone has maintained strong performances in the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) scorecard, the public is still encouraged to support the ACC by eschewing corruption and corrupt practices and report any suspected instances to the Commission.
Mr. Bangura also highlighted the Commission’s achievements in ensuring compliance with the asset declaration regime, noting a current compliance rate of about 90%. He encouraged continued adherence to Section 119 of the Anti-Corruption Act 2008 as amended in 2019, and reminded his audience that Section 7(1)(a) of the same Act mandates the Commission to take all necessary steps to suppress corruption. He also warned against examination malpractices, referencing Section 128 of the Act, which criminalizes such conducts.
Addressing the audience, Communications Officer, Dolly Aminata Issa, stated that the purpose of the visit was to educate students and staff on the importance of upholding ethical standards in both academic and administrative practices. She emphasized the negative impacts of corruption on national growth and called on students to serve as whistleblowers and active participants in promoting integrity on campus and beyond.
Public Education Officer, ACC, Shiaka Kamara, concluded the session with a strong call for vigilance and proactive reporting of suspected acts of corruption. He assured the audience of the Commission’s commitment to protecting the identities of whistleblowers and outlined the various reporting channels available, including the toll-free lines of 8515 (all networks), 077-985-985 and 077-986-986, the ACC’s website, www.anticorruption.gov.sl, and its head office and regional offices across the country.
