16th March 2021
NEWS ITEM
The Public Education Officer of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in the North-West Region, Mohamed Thullah has told staff and students of the Abbako Technical College that the sustained presence of corruption has destroyed quality and valuable standards in our educational system where its prevalence has had an adverse effect on the performance of students across the country.
He made the above statement during a sensitization meeting held on the 10th March 2021 at the College campus in Port Loko City. The meeting, as part of the Commission's public education drive was convened as a result of several complaints and concerns from the general public on corrupt practices and extortion demands.
Addressing staff and students, he said the country's growth and development is predicated on the standard of education with the propensity of making considerable contribution to economic growth. He noted that the Commission is committed to reversing the negatives and in bringing sanity to the sector. He highlighted several actions and practices that amount to corruption and warned them to desist from being corrupt.
Explaining the three pronged approaches to combatting graft, Mr Thullah encouraged staff and students to imbibe the virtue of integrity and to work in consonant with the prescriptions of the law in their daily operations and activities.
Giving an overview of the offences in the Anti-Corruption Act as amended, PEO Thullah pointed out that the 2019 amendment Act has enormously strengthened the ACC and has made corruption very expensive and risky venture to undertake. He made a simplified explanation of various corruption offences but not limited to offering, soliciting and accepting advantage, exams malpractice, influencing a public officer, misappropriation of public funds, abuse of office and position among others. "Make a decision to stand against bribery and desist from any form of corruption demands", he stressed.
The Senior Public Education Officer Junisa Sankoh who spoke on the importance of the establishment of the Accountability Now Club (ANC) said the ANC helps to mould students to becoming integrity ambassadors and responsible citizens that will make meaningful contributions to the state. He went on to state that being a member of the club must not be anyone who involves in any corrupt practices.
Welcoming the ACC team, the Principal of the College Andrew A. Conteh expressed thanks to the ACC and registered determination in grooming students as well in the general fight against corruption.
Questions, comments and answers and the presentation of Information, Education and Communication (IEC) Materials formed part of the engagement.
©ACC NORTHWEST OFFICE
