By: Mohamed A. KAbba
Public Education Officer
The Public Education and Outreach Unit of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC)’s Bo Regional Office held a crucial sensitization engagement with the staff and military personnel of the Fifth Infantry Brigade at Gondama on Tuesday, 25th November 2025. The meeting was convened to address significant concerns regarding financial mismanagement and procurement irregularities highlighted in the Auditor General's Report concerning the Ministry of Defense.
The meeting took place at the Brigade’s parade ground and commenced with a commendation for the invaluable contribution of the RSLAF in protecting the territorial security of the nation. Knowing this, the ACC deemed it essential to initiate a dialogue on matters of national importance. Such issues, categorized as corruption-related offenses, can pose direct threat to the bedrock principles of transparency, accountability, integrity, and professional ethics in public institutions.
Delivering the keynote address ACC Public Education Officer, Mohamed A. Kabba, detailed potential pitfalls and associated risks of corruption. He identified the vulnerabilities, which include widespread breaches in public financial management and pervasive unaccountability within the Ministry of Defense (MOD)’s procurement systems.
Such illicit activities, he emphasized, would not represent isolated incidents but could deeply undermine the entire structure of public institutions. He clearly stated that the Anti-Corruption Act (ACA) of 2008 (as amended in 2019) stipulates offenses and punitive measures for those who transgress the law.
Mr. Kabba further averred that the Commission’s unwavering commitment to safeguard prudent financial expenditure and management could be achieved only when citizens fully embrace their role as agents of change and courageously resist and report malpractices. Concluding, he stressed that unchecked corruption risks can precipitate societal decline and plunge the country into the very armed conflict the military is tasked to prevent.
In response, Brigadier General Alimamy O. Kamara, Commander of the Infantry, expressed his commitment to eradicating corruption within his own jurisdiction. He stressed the Battalion’s pledge to strictly follow and adhere to all established financial policy regulations and the specific recommendations presented in the Auditor General's Report.
Brigadier General Osman Kamara also highlighted significant financial losses currently faced by the Government due to transactions at strategic border crossing points nationwide, proposing a robust measure for the establishment of a constant ACC presence at these critical spots to safeguard revenue collection. He strongly urged the Commission to collaborate with all revenue-generating institutions to devise a comprehensive system for cashless transactions at border crossing points to mitigate opportunities for elicit practices.
ACC Public Education Officer, David Garrick underscored the relevance of the military in the national anti-corruption effort, stating that the assurance of external security is predicated upon the vigilant safeguard of resources provided through the Ministry of Defense, thereby ensuring all infantry battalions are adequately provided for.
He added that the Commission’s ongoing commitment to increase public awareness about the concerns raised in the Auditor General’s Report is intended to encourage citizens to unite in an effort to rid Sierra Leone of rogues. Such strives by the Commission, he remarked, is fundamentally key to the territorial and external security of the state.
The engagement concluded with questions and answers and suggestions, signifying a shared resolve in the national fight against corruption.
