2. Page 2 T he Chairman of the Karene District Council Abdul Kandeh Turay has called on the Anti - Corruption Commission (ACC) to conduct systems and processes review of his Council. He was speaking at an engagement the Commission had with public officers on the contents of three systems and processes review reports on the Ministry of Water Resources, National Telecommunications Authority (NaTCA) and the Sierra Leone National Fire Force held at the Karene District Council in Kamakwie on Thursday 21 st March, 2024. Chairman Turay said he had recognised that the prevention work of the ACC is vital in preventing corruption, as well as ensuring effective and efficient service delivery. “I am personally inviting the ACC to conduct a systems and processes review of my Council as a means of promoting transparency in my district and to set the pace for future generations,” he said. Responding to the request, Deputy Director of Public Education and Outreach, ACC, Abubakarr Turay, welcomed the request made by the Chairman of the Council and asked him to write a letter to the Commissioner to formally make the request. He said corruption prevention is part of the mandate of the Commission which is normally done through systems and processes review of public offices and the mainstreaming of anti - corruption policies meant to protect the resources of public institutions. “The Commission normally makes systems and processes review interventions through requests from an institution. We could also take upon ourselves to go to a public institution based on the risk assessments done on that particular institution. This is more so the case with revenue - generating institutions,” Mr Turay furthered. However, he said, when an institution makes a request, the Commission always responds positively. A similar request was made by the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ) last year resulting in a comprehensive review of the systems and processes of the Association. The Report of that review containing findings and recommendations, Mr Turay noted, was presented to SLAJ by the ACC during the Association’s Annual General Meeting held in Kenema last year. Chairman of the Karene District Council Abdul Kandeh Turay

4. Contd from Pg 1 The Bank’s Social Protection Specialist, Dr. Abu Kargbo, implored all PSSNYE implementing partners and stakeholders to continue to manifest the strongest possible commitment to the implementation of the PSSNYE, which, he said, has started off well. He said that the recommendations to their findings are aimed at making the PSSNYE better, as “better is always possible .” Dr Kargbo also stated that the PSSNYE project started with a rec- ord $ 42 million in funding, which if well and properly utilized for the intended project objectives, getting more funds is always a possibility. “When we started in 2014 with the SSN, it was with Page 4 T he Anti - Corruption Commission (ACC) Eastern Regional Office in Kenema has admonished Local Court Authorities to uphold integrity in the dispensation of justice. The admonition was made during a customized meeting held on Monday, 18 th March, 2024, at Local Court No. 1 along Main Street in Kenema City. While addressing the Local Court Authorities, the ACC’s Regional Manager, Peter Biao Kamara, dilated on some of the key corruption offences more likely to be committed by the Local Court Authorities in the dispensation of their responsibilities, including corrupt acquisition of wealth, possession of unexplained wealth, misappropriation of public funds, abuse of office, abuse of position and conflict of interest. The Regional Manager further admonished his audience to deviate forthwith from cases they do not have the locus to hear and ensure that such cases be transferred to the appropriate courts. He said that the Local Courts Act should serve as a guide when discharging their duties. “The threshold of cases you are to preside over, alongside their corresponding penalties, are clearly enshrined in the Local Courts Act,” he emphasised. While concluding his statement, Mr. Kamara outlined the corresponding penalties for some of the offences in the Anti - Corruption Act 2008 (as amend- ed in 2019); a minimum fine of Five Thousand (New) Leones, five - year im- prisonment or both fine and imprisonment at the discretion of the Judge. Earlier, while explaining the purpose of the meeting, Senior Public Education Officer, Edward N. Blake, first appreciated the Local Court for their warm reception and entreated the authorities to note that the ACC’s visit was not t o investigate, reprimand nor terrorise any member of the Local Court, but in pursuit of fostering public support in the fight against corruption through public education. Mr. Blake also stated that the fight against corruption is national; therefore no segment should be left behind and requested the support of all in order to heighten the campaign. He further acknowledged the importance of the Local Court in settling of disputes and admonished the Court to uphold high integri- ty in the dispensation of justice. Public Education Officer, Patrick Hinga George, explained the dangers and consequences of corruption in the lives of Sierra Leoneans and admonished them to be diligent in their duties. According to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Report, he said, massive corruption within the judiciary paved way for rampant injustice and same created disgruntled minds of Sierra Leoneans and subsequently fanned the 11 - year brutal and civil unrest in Sierra Leone. He therefore stressed the importance of a corrupt - free country by admonishing them on the Commission’s zero tolerance stance on the scourge. Earlier, welcoming the team from the ACC, the Chairman of Local Court No.1, Brima Bockarie referred to the engagement as an appropriate step in the right direction. He emphasised the importance of the engagement to the fight against graft and assured the Commission that the Local Court will uphold high integrity standards in the dispensation of justice without fear or favour. In his statement, the Chiefdom Administrative Clerk, Victor Gbessay Gallia, said that the meeting was apt and therefore appreciated the team from ACC for not just admonishing them but also, educating them on the provisions of the law as enshrined in the AC Act of 2008 (as amended in 2019). He further encouraged all present to digest and execute their duties with integrity, respect and within the expected ample time without bias or favour. He concluded by pledging unwavering commitment on behalf of his team to the national fight against the country’s worst enemy - corruption. A plenary session formed part of the engagement. ACC’s Regional Manager, Peter Biao Kamara, making his statement By: Sylvanus Blake, PRO, ACC By Patrick Hinga George, Public Education Officer $7 million and we ended with about $53 million in June of 2023. Let us all continue to be stead- fast, committed, and unwavering in serving the needs of our people,” he concluded. Statements of commendations, commitment and support were made by the Deputy Ministers of Labour and Social Security and Youth Affairs, the Commissioner of NaYCOM, Orange Money Sierra Leone, Rokel Commercial Bank, among others.

1. 8th—12th April 2024 Issue 2 Volume 12 INTEGRITY HOUSE, TOWER HILL FREETOWN, SIERRA LEONE EDITORIAL TEAM EDITOR - IN - CHIEF Abubakarr Turay EDITORS Sylvanus Blake Alex A. Bah LAYOUT & GRAPHICS Philippa M. Davies EDITORIAL ADVISERS Augustine Foday Ngobie Patrick Sandi Team’s findings on the implementation review of the PSSNYE. The event brought together the leadership and technical staff of key stakeholder institutions in the implementation of the PSSNYE, including the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA), Anti - Corruption Commission (ACC), Ministries of Youth Affairs and Labour and Social Security, National Youth Commis- sion (NaYCOM), National Disaster Management Agen- cy (NDMA), Freetown City Council (FCC), Orange Money Sierra Leone, and Rokel Commercial Bank (RCB). In his statement, the Deputy Commissioner of the ACC, which spearheads the GRM component of all SSN - related projects, Augustine Foday Ngobie, registered ACC’s unwavering commitment to monitoring the complete and unbiased implementation of the PSSNYE. “ At the ACC we take very seriously all SSN - related projects and programs, aimed at emancipating the welfare and wellbeing of Sierra Leoneans, and have always ensured that at every stage, we do not only participate but create the required impact. Like the concluded SSN, we will work hard to ensure that the PSSNYE project has zero corruption opportunities - because like we all did before, we will do our very best again. All we need is the resolve from all partners and stakehold- ers, to ensure that we do our best, notwithstanding the difficulties and challenges,” Mr Ngobie averred. The Deputy Commissioner of NaCSA, which leads the implementation of the PSSNYE project, Jimmy Batilo Songa, in his statement, praised the World Bank and UNICEF for their support and appreciated all stakehold- ers for their hard work. He pledged their continued T he World Bank, UNICEF, and Government of Sierra Leo- ne have on the 26 th March, 2024, at the Conference Hall, 5 th Floor of the Freetown City Council building in Freetown, commenced a two - week review of the implementation of the Productive Social Safety Net and Youth Employment (PSSNYE) project. It also involves assessing the just - concluded $ 55 million Social Safety Net (SSN) project which implementation the World Bank has described as satisfactory. This comes five months after anchoring the first implementation review meeting of the PSSNYE project ahead of its roll - out across eleven districts in Sierra Leone. The event brought together stakeholders and implementers of the PSSNYE to present to them the World Bank Mission Deputy Commissioner of ACC, Augustine Foday Ngobie making his statement Contd on pg 4 By: Sylvanus Blake, PRO, ACC Deputy Commissioner of NaCSA Jimmy Batilo Songa steadfastness to the success- ful implementation of the PSSNYE and all other pro - poor development projects and programs in the spirit of na- tional development. Mr Songa said that the various components of the PSSNYE project resonate with the Medium Term Development Plan of Sierra Leone and the Government’s Big - Five Game Changer policies. “We are no longer waiting for change, but we are the change makers,” he concluded Earlier, while speaking on the objective of the review meeting, World Bank’s Senior Economist, Social Protection and Jobs, Samik Adhikari, said that the findings will represent the observed position of the World Bank Mission Team which will continue to be instrumental to the successful implementation of the ongoing PSSNYE. He stated that, during the assessment, the team looked at the relevance, efficacy, and efficiency of the project in meeting its target objectives. He entreated stakeholders gathered to continue to treat seriously the observations and recommendations for better and timely service delivery, in tune with the project design and objectives

3. Page 3 A s we continue to celebrate Women’s History Month and highlight the successes of women that have made exemplary changes in the workplace, communities and the country; I want to specially recognize women that are at the forefront battling to see the end of a deadly peril called corruption in Sierra Leone. In March of every year, women are celebrated across the world; it is a chance to showcase their sense of self - worth, ability to determine one’s choice, their right to influence social change for themselves and accomplishments throughout history. March 8 is the Inter- national Women’s Day. It is set aside to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. It also calls for positive change to advance women and raise awareness about wom- en’s equality. Corruption continues to be one of the main hindrances to Sierra Leone’s economic, political and social development. “In the fight against corruption in Sierra Leone, everyone has a role to play in order to ensure socio - economic and sustainable growth,” says Francis Ben Kaifala Esq., the Commissioner of the Anti - Corruption Commission (ACC) in Sierra Leone. A more inclusive and impartial society supportive to global well - being can be achieved through gender equality and the empowerment of women. In a world that is facing multiple crises and has put enormous pressure on communities, organisations etc; achieving gender equality is more vital than ever. Investing in women across all aspects of life is the only way to secure a prosperous and a healthy planet for future generations. Gender equality and the empowerment of women is a fundamental driver for a more inclusive and equitable society. Women’s economic empowerment and their participation in the labour market will increase social cohesion, promote global well - being, reduce poverty and combat inequalities. Women at the ACC who have been empowered to take the center stage in decision making have championed new initiatives and promot- ed transparency in order to ensure the Zainab Othman, Deputy Director, NACS Secretariat, ACC eradication of the menace of cor- ruption. Their extraordinary resilience, creativity, knowledge and expertise are contributing factors to the Commission’s massive gains in the fight against corruption. In today’s edition, I want to highlight the exceptional work of a woman at the forefront of the fight against corruption in Sierra Leone; a woman that is setting positive examples and who has demonstrated that she is not only a victim of corruption but also a key player in fighting against it. ZAINAB AYODELE OTHMAN Madam Zainab A. Othman is the Deputy Director of the National Anti - Corruption Strategy at the Sierra Leone’s Anti - Corruption Commission. She has worked as an anti - graft crusader for over 20 years. This anti - graft campaigner graduated from the University of Sierra Leone with a Bachelor of Art s degree (BA General) from the prestigious Fourah Bay College and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the Institute of Public Administration and Management. She has also attended several trainings on Anti - Corruption Prevention in and outside Sierra Leone. This remarkable woman joined the Commission in 2001 as an By Hawanatu Omotayo Kamara, Regional Manager, ACC East - Kono Investigation Officer, a position she held until 2007 when she was transferred to the Public Education and Outreach Department as a Public Education Officer. Later that year, she was promoted to Senior Investigation Officer and reassigned to the Investigations Department. Her outstanding performance led her to be transferred to the Asset Declaration Unit - a newly established Unit in the Commission at that time - as a Senior Asset Declaration Officer. Her impeccable character and dedication to her work saw her being promoted as the Head of the Unit in 2013. It was during her tenure as Head of the Unit that declaration of assets was proposed and tested from paper declaration to electronic declaration. This notable woman has participated in over 100 radio and tel- evision discussion programs geared towards promoting the work and activ- ities of the asset declaration exercise and the Commission. In 2023, she was promoted to Deputy Director of the National Anti - Corruption Strategy Department. Our noteworthy anti - graft crusader’s favourite anti - corruption quote comes from the current President of the Unit- ed States of America Joe Biden: “ Corruption is a cancer that eats away a citizen’s faith in democracy, diminishes the instinct for innovation and creativity.” As I conclude, let me state that I embarked on writing these series consistent with the theme for this year’s International Women’s Day, which is “ Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress” . This calls for all of us to spend our time, money and influence on a woman because pushing back on equality benefits no one, while pushing forward benefits everyone.