By: Yangie D. Sesay, Public Education Officer, ACC.
"The Commission's initiative to popularize the contents in these reports in the regions is a commendable endeavor in the fight against corruption.” These were the remarks of participants who represented their Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) during the popularization of the contents of the three systems review report on National Fire Force, National Telecommunications Authority and the Ministry of Water Resources. The three engagements which were sponsored by the Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) took place on March 26, 27, and 28, 2024, at the Senior District Officer's Office in Makeni, the Tonkolili District Council Hall in Magburaka, and the Dr. Francis Moses Multi-Purpose Hall at the Primary Health Care Complex in Kabala, respectively.
Representatives from the various regions at the engagementsacknowledged that they had never seen such documents before, and the findings and recommendations in the three reports are unquestionably beneficial in addressing MDA systems flaws. As a result, they asked that a pocket book containing the findings and recommendations in these documents be produced and distributed across the country. In their closing remarks, they praised the Prevention Department and the Commission for a job well done.
According to Michael Sesay, Head of the ACC's Public Education Unit, the findings and recommendations in the three reports, are in line with the Commission's mandate as stated in Section (7)(2fgh) of the Anti-Corruption Act, 2008 as amended in 2019. “The Commission is mandated to examine practices and procedures in Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in order to identify systemic weaknesses and opportunities for corruption and to provide recommendations to address those weaknesses and opportunities.” He pointed out that nearly all MDAs are affected by the majority of the issues raised in the reports, which include staffing, procurement, audit, fleet, fuel management, and more. He urged MDAs to devote more time to putting the Commission's recommendations into practice in order to better serve the public and stay out of default without incurring penalties.
ACC’s Public Education Officer, Yangie D. Sesay explained that the operations of the Prevention Department hinge on three units: the Systems and Processes Review Unit, the Policy and Ethics Unit, and the Monitoring and Compliance Unit. Ms. Sesay furthered that the units complement each other as they work to establish improved procedures and guidelines that direct the operations of MDAs. As a result,the documents' popularization is essential since public officials need to be aware and informed of the findings and recommendations in order for them to be properly implemented across the country, she underscored.
She pointed out that the reports had previously been given to the Heads of the various institutions in Freetown for onward distribution. “The final report is never printed until the Commission makes sure that the institution receives draft copyand validates same. The head should presumably tell other employees including those in the regions about the contents of the document”Yangie added.
Senior Public Education Officer, ACC in Makeni, Aiah Sourie, earlierwelcomed the attendees to the events and thanked them for their patience. He declared that the battle against corruption is not a solo endeavor but rather demands the collective strength of all, urging them to embrace the engagement as their own.
