By: Alex A. Bah, Public Relations Assistant, ACC
The Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Francis Ben Kaifala Esq., on the 14th of December 2024, received the prestigious Bai Bureh Heritage Service Delivery Lifetime Achievement Award during a ceremony organized by the Bai Bureh Heritage Foundation. Held at the Port Loko District Council, the 7th edition of the awards was anchored on the theme: Driving Positive Change Through Citizens' Recognition.
Serving as the distinguished Grand Chief Patron of the event, Commissioner Kaifala delivered an inspiring speech, commending the Foundation for its exemplary, apolitical work in recognizing and encouraging individuals making impactful contributions to society. He noted that while he had been recognized in all previous editions of the award, he decided this year to attend the ceremony in person as he has been impressed by the organizers’ dedication and their consistent updates on past editions.
The Commissioner reaffirmed his commitment to rewriting the story of a nation once plagued by endemic corruption, emphasizing the critical role of public support in driving such change.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Bernadette Sanko Kamara urged a collective shift from apportioning blames to action, encouraging citizens to contribute meaningfully to changing sickening narratives. She shared her own motivation to return from abroad and actively support initiatives driving such progress and making positive change .
Earlier in his remarks, the CEO of the Bai Bureh Heritage Foundation, Unisa Fofanah, lauded Commissioner Kaifala for his exceptional leadership and transformative contributions to the fight against corruption. He noted that the Lifetime Achievement Award was a token of appreciation for the Commissioner’s remarkable achievements and the unprecedented successes recorded under his leadership at the ACC.
The Bai Bureh Heritage Foundation, according to Mr. Fofana, was officially established in 2019, following the launch of the Bai Bureh Service Delivery Awards in 2018. A community-based, youth-led initiative headquartered in the Port Loko District, the Foundation is dedicated to promoting national development through various charitable activities and recognition programs. The awards aim to spotlight and celebrate individuals whose efforts contribute meaningfully to the progress of Sierra Leone.
Since the appointment of Francis Ben Kaifala Esq. as the Commissioner (Head) of the ACC, he has bagged hundreds of awards including the United States International Anti-Corruption Champion Awards in 2021, Top 100 Most influential leaders of African Descent, Top 100 Most Influential Africans (Six Consecutive years) among many others.
