The Outreach Unit of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC)’s Public Education and Outreach Department held an engagement with Christian and Muslim clerics in Murray Town at the Sierra Leone Behesti Islamic Secondary School on Highbroad Street in Freetown, on 28th October 2025.
Delivering the keynote statement, Aiah Sourie, Head of External Outreach, commended the clerics as moral authorities within the Murray Town community and beyond. He referred to them as divine ambassadors of God or Allah, stressing that their words can reach the conscience of people unlike laws and policy campaigns. In addition, Mr. Sourie said the voices of religious leaders could set moral standards and influence social change.
He also mentioned that Christianity and Islam teach honesty, hard work, accountability, and service to others, and that these values go a long way to shape the attitude and behaviour of people. “This is how you religious leaders are important in building the nation. You have great influence, so that political leaders listen to what you tell them according to the word of God or Allah,” he said.
Mr. Sourie called on the clerics to use their platform to preach against corruption, adding that both the Bible and Quran condemn graft. He underscored that most public officers are either Christians or Muslims and the scriptures could serve as a powerful influence to transform those of them that are corrupt. “The fight against corruption will be a lot easier when we begin to hear strong anti-corruption sermons from the pulpit or minbar,” he said.
Earlier, Margaret Jones, Senior Communications Officer, remarked that the ACC and the Inter Religious Council of Sierre Leone (IRCSL) have been collaborating on the campaign against corruption. Each year on 9 December, she explained, the ACC invites the IRCSL to commemorate the International Anti-Corruption Day. She encouraged the religious leaders to strengthen the marriage between the two institutions by telling their followers about the word of God or Allah concerning corruption.
Responding to the initiative to amplify anti-corruption sermons, Rev Samuel S. Kargbo of the Spring Evangelical Church in Murray Town said the church has responsibility to preach against corruption. He however noted that the family, society, and government should play their respective parts to reform people, particularly children. The family which is the smallest unit of society and the child’s first social contact, he stressed, should instill values in the child. “Good morals begin from the home,” he said. The role of the family should be complimented by the society and government for the wellbeing of the nation, the Rev called.
Rev Kargbo referred to 2 Timothy 3:2 which gives corrupt traits of man in the last days. He explained that corruption is spiritual and encompasses a whole lot of vices including deviant conduct in the church or public office. He pledged that his ministry would continue to preach righteousness, while reiterating the role of the family in grooming children for a more disciplined and productive society.
The Chief Imam of Murray Town, Sheikh Ibrahim S. Kamara, described corruption as punishable and a barrier between Allah and man. He affirmed that Imams have the position to preach against corruption without interference from anyone or authority, and mold the behaviour of people. “The Quran is clear on corruption and we will not relent in preaching against it. We welcome the initiative and we will act accordingly.”
The engagement resonates with the action plans of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (2024-2028) which, among other things, aims to develop stronger partnership with religious institutions to regularly preach corruption and emphasize ethical and moral obligations of citizens.
The meeting which was chaired by Alhaji Abdul Karim Bangura, Senior Communications Officer, ended with a question-and-answer session and distribution of Information Education and Communication materials to the participants.
