Baoma Chiefdom welcomes the Anti-Corruption Commission
The Anti-Corruption Commission has on Thursday 10th March 2011 held a sensitization meeting with the people of Baoma Chiefdom in the Bo District. The meeting which took place at the Art and Craft Centre in Gerihun attracted over eighty community people including the Regent Chief, Section Chiefs, chiefdom elders, youths, religious leaders and school pupils among others. (Photo: Regent Chief Rev. Sam Luseni)
Explaining the objectives of the meeting the District Coordinating Officer for the Anti-Corruption Commission Bo District Mr. Anthony Borbor Samu, said that the meeting was to update the community on the activities of the Commission and to discuss ways the chiefdom can support the work of the Commission. He added that the ACC now realizes that it has to actively involve the grass-root people in the chiefdoms and communities in the fight against corruption. He emphasized that the fight against corruption is a national concern and that the people of Baoma Chiefdom should take ownership and responsibility of the fight. Mr Samu stressed that the ACC wants the community people to be ambassadors of the Commission as they are key stakeholders.
Participants during prayer session
Giving an overview of the Commission, the Eastern Regional Public Education Officer, Mr. David Kanekey Conteh, who deputized the Regional Manager – South, said that the establishment of the Anti-Corruption Commission in 2000 was as a result of the recommendations of The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) report which identified bad governance and corruption as key causes of the eleven year war.
He explained that the Commission employs a three pronged approach in the fight against corruption. Public education through the media and meetings, Prevention through the review of existing systems or structures and confrontation through Intelligence Investigations and prosecution of alleged corrupt offenders.
A cross section of the participants at Gerihun
Mr. Conteh highlighted some of the offences in the Anti-Corruption Act 2008 stressing that the minimum penalty for each offence is a fine not less than thirty million Leones or three years jail term or both.
Earlier in his welcome address, the newly appointed Regent chief of Baoma Chiefdom Rev Sam Luseni who also chaired the meeting welcomed the visiting ACC team from Bo. Regent Chief Luseni said that his chiefdom has been looking forward to interacting and discussing with the ACC on the way forward in the fight against corruption not only in Baoma chiefdom, but the country as a whole. On behalf of the chiefdom, Rev. Luseni expressed his delight that the ACC is really working for and on behalf of the people of this country and assured the ACC of his chiefdom’s commitment and support to the fight against corruption.
The meeting was climaxed with an interactive question and answer session.
Anthony B. Samu, District Coordinator, ACC Bo District
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