By Yangie Deborah Sesay
Public Education Officer, ACC
Twenty-five years ago, Sierra Leone took one of its most decisive steps toward national healing. In the aftermath of a brutal civil war, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) made a sobering revelation: corruption – systemic, pervasive, and unchecked – wasthe major driver of the conflict. Establishing the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in 2000 was therefore not merely a policy response; it was a national commitment to rebuild trust, restore dignity, and reimagine governance. Today, the ACC’s journey from fragile beginnings to national impact stands as a powerful reminder of how leadership, independence, and broad public participation can transform an institution and a nation.
This article does not attempt to recount every detail of the Commission’s history. Rather, it offers a reflective portrait of a 25-year evolution shaped by inclusiveness, institutional courage, and fierce leadership, three pillars that have strengthened public trust and kept the fight against corruption alive.
The ACC’s beginnings were far from glamorous. As Former Director of Investigations Mr. James Franklin Kanyako recalls, the Commission started with almost nothing-no proper office, very few staff, and minimal resources. The earliest staff operated from the Police Commissioner’s Office before moving through a series of temporary locations from Wesley Street to Cathedral House – and eventually settling at Integrity House, Tower Hill in Freetown. Yet, even in those early years of hardship and improvisation, one thing was unmistakably clear: the ACC was determined to involve the people. Public education was vigorous, community-driven, and intentionally inclusive, ensuring that citizens understood both the reason for the institution’s existence and the role they could play in strengthening it.
Across different eras of the Commission, public participation has been a consistent source of strength. The Director of the Network Movement for Justice and Development (NMJD), Abu Brima recalls a period of close collaboration between civil society and the ACC to monitor Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), especially in essential sectors such as water, education, and health. Community monitors travelled to Bo, Kenema, Makeni, and other regions, assessing service delivery and feeding back evidence that informed action. Though political transitions affected the momentum of such initiatives at times, the foundation they laid remains valuable; Sierra Leoneans learned that corruption was not an abstract national problem – it affected their water sources, school supplies, clinics, and daily livelihoods.
He further emphasized a difficult truth: corruption does not retreat quietly. The mining sector, in particular, has long been resistant to reform, shaped by entrenched interests and complex power dynamics. Major cases involving well-connected figures have also tested the Commission’s resolve. In moments when accountability wavered or enforcement was inconsistent, public confidence naturally declined.
Maintaining institutional independence has been another recurring challenge. At various points in the ACC’s history, political pressure, inadequate resources, and attempts to use the institution as a political weapon threatened its legitimacy. Some former Commissioners faced intense scrutiny, clashes with Parliament, public criticism, and even resignations. Yet through all of this, the ACC endured – sometimes bruised, but never broken.
One of the most defining eras in the Commission’s 25-year journey has been the period of bold and relentless leadership under Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala. His tenure ushered in a renewed sense of urgency, conviction, and strength propelling the institution to national and international prominence. Under his leadership, the 2019 Amendment Act strengthened sanctions, expanded prosecutorial powers, and sharpened the ACC’s enforcement capabilities. Sierra Leone’s performance on global anti-corruption indexes improved significantly, and the Commission’s energetic approach sparked a renewed public interest in accountability.
Commissioner Kaifala himself attributes this progress partly to strong presidential will. According to him, President Julius Maada Bio granted him the independence and political freedom necessary to pursue corruption cases without fear or favor. This political backing allowed the ACC to focus squarely on its mandate, insulated from undue influence.
This era underscored a crucial reality: leadership matters. Institutions thrive when bold leadership is supported by a governance environment that respects independence.
The NMJD Director also emphasized that safeguarding the ACC’s independence must remain a national priority. “Every time political interference creeps in, whether in making appointments, prosecutorial decisions, or policy direction, the integrity of the fight weakens but when independence is upheld, the public believes it is strengthened,” he noted.
The strengthening of the ACC’s legal framework from the weak 2000 Act, to the more robust 2008 amendments, and finally the reinforced 2019 reforms has been central to restoring trust. Today, as the Commissioner himself often remarks, no one describes the ACC as a “toothless bulldog.” Its teeth are now sharp, effective, and visible.
Twenty-five years of the ACC is not just an institutional anniversary; it is a national achievement. From a modest, resource-strapped beginning to becoming one of Africa’s most respected anti-corruption bodies, the ACC has transformed public expectations and reshaped the governance landscape.
Yet the message from civil society, former leaders, and the current Commissioner aligns on one point: there is no room for complacency. Corruption does not sleep and nor must the fight.
As Sierra Leone commemorates the ACC’s 25-year journey, one truth stands firm: fierce leadership, unwavering independence, and inclusive public participation have rebuilt trust. These pillars must continue to guide the Commission through the next 25 years and beyond.
