The Regional Manager of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Kono, Hawanatu Omotayo Kamara has urged stakeholders in the Education sector in Kono District to imbibe Integrity in the discharge of their duties. She made this call during the Education Sector meeting on the 6^th February, 2024, at the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary School (MBSSE) Conference Hall, Koidu City.

 In her address, Mrs. Kamara informed them that the ACC is mandated to prevent, investigate, eradicate and suppress all forms of corruption and corrupt practices. She added that the mandate of the Commission is not limited to public institutions or public servants/officers but also to  members of the informal sector, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) among others. The Regional Manager underscored that the ACC has held several sensitization meetings with Government institutions and NGOs in the District on corruption prevention and capacity building on anti-corruption issues and the activities of the Commission.

Mrs. Kamara furthered that collaboration and partnership in the fight against graft are important components in the work of the Commission. She dilated on the nexus between education and corruption, noting that the country was once referred to as the “Athens of West Africa” informed by its sheer academic excellence. She however lamented that over the years examination malpractices and other academic anomalies have contributed to the considerable decline in standards that Sierra Leone once pride itself with. 

She however disclosed that academic malpractice has been criminalised by the provisions in Section 128 (3) of the Anti-Corruption Amendment Act of 2019, and urged the sector members to inculcate the tenets of accountability and integrity.

Earlier, in the meeting, the Deputy Director-Education, Kono, Prince Ngebeh, whilst welcoming stakeholders, said that the Ministry’s primary role is to implement all education policies by coordinating with relevant bodies in order to achieve and maximize educational outcomes in the District. Mr. Ngebeh dispelled rumours concerning the Free Quality Education project and said it is untrue and misleading to say it is no longer a Government priority.

The Deputy Director Education, called for more collaboration and partnership with the Ministry emphasizing the importance of education. He re-echoed the need for Integrity, Transparency and Accountability in implementing donor and government projects relating to education, and  called for more support and guidance from the Commission. “The ACC is undertaking preventive drive through their customized meetings and systems review exercises, to guide institutions in ensuring successful implementation of projects free from corruption and corrupt practices” he concluded.