4. Page 4 Commission appreciates the support which Corruption Watch Organization - SL has rendered to it. He said the partnership between both institutions will have formed an alliance, henceforth to the realiza tion of one goal which is, the eradication of corruption in Sierra Leone. He added that Corruption Watch Organization - SL will continue to do what is expected of them. He thanked them for taking such venture and expressed optimism that the partnership will grow from strength to strength. According to the citation of the MoU read by Information Officer, ACC, Amie Massaq uoi, the ACC and Corruption Watch Organization - SL will complement efforts in areas where their respective mandates are interrelated. Part of t his include, sensitizing, educating the public on issues bordering on the fight against corruption. Both institutions will provide regular and timely feedback on project activities, and the provision of regular progress reports. The Corruption Watch Organization - SL was established in March 2013 as an independent, dynamic civil society organization, constituting youths that are dedicated to providing citizens with the awareness and k nowledge on the dangers of corruption, thereby promoting good governance. The signing of the MoU by the Deputy Commissioner ACC and the National Coordinator, Corrup tion Watch Organization - SLclimaxed the event. Alex A. Bah, Public Relations Assistant, ACC Contd. from Pg 2 Francis Ben Kaifala was hallowed by colleagues with questions like the one asked back in Nov ember 2022 by the Executive Secretary of the National Anti - Corruption and Good Governance Agency in Guinea, Saikou Amadou Diallo, "How do you guys manage to be strong and powerful like this, and how do we learn from that”. His election at the end of the Conference was seamless and resounding. Commissioner Kaifala has served in distinguished capacities that include but not limited to being president of the Network of Anti - Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA), Board Member, of the African U nion Advisory Board on Corruption (AUABC), Executive Committee Member of the West African Regional Representative of the Association of Africa Anti - Corruption Authorities, among others. This undoubtedly presents him with a wealth of experience and represents a mark of excellence and uncanny admiration as a symbol of the distinguished position of Sierra Leone among its peers. Contd. from Pg 1 By: Alex A. Bah, Public Relations Assistant, ACC

2. Page 2 T he Anti - Corruption Commission (ACC) and Corruption Watch Organization - Sierra Leone, has on Thursday, 16th May, 2024 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) geared towards collaboration and partnership on issues of national concern, more particularly in providing complementary support towards fighting bribery and petty corruption. The signing ceremony took place, at the Conference Room of the ACC Integrity House, Tower Hill, in Freetown. Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Deputy Commissioner, ACC, Au- gustine Foday Ngobie, warmly wel- comed the team from Corruption Watch - SL, and said he was thrilled to preside over the signing of MoU between the ACC and Corruption Watch - SL as he had met with them for partnership back when he was the ACC District Coordinator in Kabala. He commended them for their zest, passion and willingness to collaborate in the fight against corruption. “The willingness to collaborate with the ACC in the fight against corruption indicates patriotism for your country. The fight against corruption is with the people to be foot soldiers. ACC can only lead the fight but it is the responsibilities of every citizen to play a role to ensure corruption is minimized” the Deputy Commissioner asserted. He furthered that the ACC will render support to them as they have now formally become ambassadors in the fight against corruption. Augustine Fo- day Ngobie further said that it is expected of them to provide support to the ACC when called upon. He encouraged them to serve as whistleblowers anytime they suspect corruption anywhere as the Anti - Corruption Act 2000 (as amended in 2019) provides for the protection of whistleblowers. Speaking on behalf of the Corruption Watch Organization - SL, National Coordinator, Alhaji Abu Koroma, thanked the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner and the Management team for the opportunity to collaborate with them Display of the signed MoU by the DC, ACC Augustine Foday Ngobie and Alhaji A. Koroma National Coordinator, Cor- ruption Watch Organization, SL AMIE MASSAQUOI, INFORMATION OFFICER, ACC. ACC Deputy Commissioner, Augustine Foday Ngobie, making his statement as they have been trying to since 2013. “Today is a significant day as Corruption Watch Organization - SL has been looking forward to collaborate with the ACC to strengthen the fight against corruption. We therefore accept the role of our Organization as stated in the MoU”. He further said that the activities of his organization are focused on combating bribery and petty corruption in Koinadugu and Falaba Districts, with plans to expand to other districts. He added that this union with the ACC has inspired them to continue to deliver in their work, assuring their willingness and readiness coupled with their available manpower to help in the fight against corruption. Director of Public Education and External Outreach Department, ACC, Patrick Sandi, in his remarks as Chair of the occasion, said the Group photo after the signing ceremony The appending of signatures to the MoU Contd on Pg 4

3. Page 3 T he Anti - Corruption Commission (ACC) on Monday 13 th May, 2024 held an engagement with students of the Blue Crest College, at the College’s Wilkinson Road Campus in Freetown. The engagement was meant to share vital messages on issues of integrity in the educational sector. Giving an overview of the work of the ACC and key corruption related issues in the educational sector, Head of Outreach Unit, ACC, Al - Hassan Sesay, emphasized on the gains and successes of the ACC under the astute leadership of Francis Ben Kaifala Esq.Mr. Sesay disclosed the preventive mechanisms that the Commission uses in the fight against corruption emphasizing on the importance of this approach. “Prevention is one of the approaches we use through public education, systems and processes review, Assets Declaration, among others. Only when these fail, then we resort to enforcement," he added. He commended the College for the warm Cross section of the audience at the Blue Crest College By: Alhaji A.K. Bangura, Senior Communications Officer reception accorded to them. Prosecutor at the ACC, Umar Sesay Esq., explained the major corruption offences within the academic sector, and their corresponding penalties as provided for in the Anti - Corruption Act of 2008 (As amended in 2019). He said that pursuant to the said Act, all forms of academic malpractices are criminal offences that attract, upon conviction, a fine of not less than Fifty (50) Thousand Leones (New) Leones or a jail term of not less than five (5) years or both. Senior Communications Officer, ACC, Alhaji A. K. Bangura, whilst chairing the event stated that the engagement was intended to solicit the support, and most importantly admonish students and university authorities to refrain from engaging in any acts of corruption, and recruit them as integrity ambassadors. “It is part of the Commission's mandate to prevent corruption through public education in a bid to also prevent the commission of corruption offences,” he noted. The Senior Communications Officer warned students against making attempts to induce lecturers to get an undue advantage, stating that it is a punishable offence, whilst advising lecturers not to yield into such attempts. “Section 28 and 33 of the 2008 Anti - Corruption Act (as amended in 2019) criminalizes bribery and corrupting a public officer, respectively,” he disclosed. ACC’s Communications Officer, Martina George, explained on how to report instances of corruption, adding that there is adequate protection of informants and whistleblowers. Madam George shared out the Commission’s toll - free lines of 8515 and 077 - 985 - 985/077 - ACC Prosecutor Umar Sesay explaining key corruption issues at the engagement 986 - 986. Earlier, in her welcome address, Neneh Sallay Kalokoh, Head, Student Service Executive of Blue Crest College, expressed her appreciation on behalf of the College for the sensitization drive. She assured the Commission of her institution’s commitment to sustained partnership in instilling integrity values within the learning environment. She entreated the students and staff to imbibe these values and provide endless support to the national fight against corruption .

1. 13th—17th May 2024 Issue 2 Volume 17 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 O n Friday 10th May, 2024, we were greeted with the Great News that the Commissioner of the Anti - Corruption Commission of Sierra Leo- ne (ACC - SL), Francis Ben Kaifala Esq. has been overwhelmingly elected to serve as the Sub - Regional Representative of the Association of Anti - Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa (AAACoA).. This is quite an uncommon feat for a not - so - big Country like Sierra Leone, to continue to win the trust of sister countries in Africa. But considering the remarkable gains and mon- umental strides made in the past six years of the fight against corruption under the competent leadership of the young Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala Esq. and stout - hearted Commissioner, this represents one of the many continued validations and approbations. This assumption of responsibility to share knowledge and expertise at a continental level through the Sub - Regional representation was endorsed by 23 Commonwealth Member - States belonging to the AAACoA at the 14th Annual Conference in Accra, Ghana. The Conference is part of the Association's Collaborative Efforts by members and stakeholders to initiate worthy experi- ence sharing exchange of ideas and best practices in a bid to foster partnership. The meeting saw presentations by heads of Anti - Corruption Agencies on their strategies and innovative techniques in fighting against the plaugue - corruption in their different countries. By: Alex A. Bah, Public Relations Assistant, ACC ACC Commissioner, Francis Ben Kaifala Esq. (white) and other Colleague Heads of Anti - Corruption Institutions in Africa. Notably, Francis Ben Kaifala Esq. mesmerized his colleague Heads of Anti - Corruption Agencies and other distinguished members of the audience during his eloquent and intriguing presentation of Sierra Leone's exceptionally viable Non - Prosecution Policy, followed by a revelation of the country's recent symbolic public display of over 8.4 Million (New) Leones stolen and recovered. The Commissioner of a little coastal country Sierra Leone, as always was the center of attraction and consummated admiration. Such admiration is infused by the deep understanding of the complexity of fighting graft more so in Africa, and the travails associated with recovery of stolen monies and/or assets. Contd on Pg 4