ACC sensitizes health workers in Bo District
The Anti- Corruption Commission has on Friday 3rd June 2011 held a sensitization meeting with health workers including nurses under the supervision of the District Health Management Team (DHMT) of Bo District. The meeting took place at the nurses training hall in the Bo Government Hospital and attracted over one hundred health workers including the Bo District Medical Officer, DHMT staff, MCH Aide nurses and In-Charges of District Peripheral Health Units (PHUs) in Bo District. (Photo: Manager-South, Patrick Sandi addressing in-charges of PHUs, Bo District)
Explaining the purpose of the meeting the District Coordinating Officer for the Anti-Corruption Commission Bo District Mr. Anthony Samu, said that the meeting is just one of the normal sensitization meetings organized with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). The meeting he went on was to up date the district health staff on the activities of the Commission and to discuss ways the health staff out there in the chiefdoms can support the work of the Commission. Mr. Samu lauded the District Health Management Team and entire District health staff for the good work they are doing despite the many challenges. He encouraged the general audience to be active participants at the meeting as they now have the opportunity to ask questions and seek clarifications on issues about the Commission of which they do not understand. As health issue is a national concern, similarly, the fight against corruption is a national concern, Mr. Samu concluded.
Giving an overview of the Commission and update, Mr. Patrick Sandi the Regional Manager–South, intimated his audience that Anti-Corruption Commission is not a new outfit and that not every one likes the Anti-Corruption Commission. Mr. Sandi talked about Corruption related cases which stem from procurement, contract award, escaping export & import duties amongst others. He said that the dangers of corruption are many citing poverty and under-development in a nation to mention a few. Mr. Sandi therefore implored the cooperation and support of all in the fight against corruption. According to Mr. Sandi, corruption also fights back because offenders of corrupt practices are always finding new ways and strategies in overcoming the good anti-corruption systems put in place. He advised and encouraged all the health staff to resist, reject and report corruption, highlighting some of the offences in the Anti-Corruption Act 2008, and stressing that the minimum penalty for each offence for corrupt offenders is a fine of not less than thirty million leones or three years jail term or both fine and jail term.
Nurses listen to message from ACC staff, Bo office
Also, Regional Manager, Sandi highlighted the strides the Commission had made in the recovery of stolen monies and that of the indictments and conviction of corrupt offenders which involved high profile personalities. The ACC targets offenders at all levels irrespective of the level of corruption activity and status of the personality involved, Mr. Sandi maintained.
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 in institutions and confrontation through investigations and prosecution of alleged corrupt offenders.
Earlier, Mr. Tamba Ngegba representing the District Medical Officer Bo District welcomed the ACC team indicating that they are keen to listening to officers of the Commission in Bo since there are a lot of questions staff may like to ask including other issues for clarification.
The meeting was climaxed with an interactive question and answer session. The vote of thanks was given by Mr. Tamba Ngegba of the Bo District Health Management Team.
Anthony B. Samu, ACC District Coordinator – Bo District
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