By: Alex A. Bah, Public Relations Assistant, ACC

The 6th Parliament of the Republic of Sierra Leone has on Thursday 27th July 2023, inside its prestigious Well, hailed and lavished praises on Francis Ben Kaifala Esq. as he was seamlessly and overwhelmingly approved as Commissioner (Head) of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), for a Second Term. 

This approval is pursuant to Sections 3 and 4 of the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008 as Amended in 2019, and it follows his successful interview by the Parliamentary Committee on Appointments, on Wednesday 26th July 2023.

It could be recalled that the mandate of the ACC Boss was renewed on the 19th June, 2023 by His Excellency, President Brigadier (Rtd.) Dr. Julius Maada Bio, following his remarkable and unprecedented successes in his first five-year tenure. 

Profiling the Commissioner in the presence of the Honorable Members, the fourth estate, civil society bodies and distinguished guests, Leader of Government Business, Hon. Mathew Sahr Nyuma, applauded the Commissioner and acknowledged his exceptional performance in the war against corruption, noting that, it is his Leadership that saw the construction and movement into the ACC's Integrity House, which serves as a symbol to all that the fight against corruption in Sierra Leone is a serious one.

He said that the Commissioner at the interview by the Appointments Committee, assured of his desire to re-revolutionize the war against graft; “Corruption is very serious, and we will treat any information we receive with every confidence, so that people making reports to the ACC will believe that no one will go unpunished for acts of corruption”. 

Honorable Hindolo Ngevao in his Presentation disclosed to the House that during the first term approval of Francis Ben Kaifala as ACC Commissioner, he was among the many individuals that defended him because they knew not just the authenticity of his numerous academic credentials and pedigree, but the remarkable impact he made at the Sierra Leone Bar Association and the  winning of landmark cases at the Supreme Court of Sierra Leone within his first decade at the Bar. 

“It is only under the leadership of Francis Ben Kaifala that Sierra Leone has passed the MCC with a very high score. Under his leadership, he has had the highest number of convictions in the Judiciary ”, the Honorable averred, whilst highlighting the numerous successes of the Commissioner. 

Hon. Gevao furthered that for certain, the Commissioner’s leadership knows no color or tribe and that has hugely contributed to his successes. 

Hon. Mohamed Bangura of the All Peoples Congress (APC) Party, said that the Commission under the leadership of Francis Ben Kaifala Esq. has been way better, as the ACC under his leadership fights corruption without looking at the Political Party or the influence somebody has in society. He continued that Sierra Leone now prides itself with its unprecedented progress in the fight against corruption. He mentioned the Millennium Challenge Corporation Scorecard, which the country was recording a 49% score in 2017, but with Commissioner Kaifala, the country excellently passed back-to-back for five consecutive years and now has a score of 79%. 

He thanked the Commissioner and urged him to continue his good work and service to Country and Conscience.

Several other illustrious Members of Parliament expressed beautiful sentiments about the Commissioner, adding that he has indeed as promised, laundered  the Country’s image, that  was in 2013 ranked as the most Corrupt Country in the world. He was therefore charged to do more and also assured of the Parliament’s unwavering support.

The Right Honorable Segepoh Solomon Thomas, Deputy Speaker of the House of Parliament, presided over the proceedings in the well of Parliament.