Anti-Corruption takes the crusade to Burma III Community Kenema
The robust and sustained public education crusade by the ACC in the East has been ongoing in pursuit of one of its mandates of employing all necessary measures to curb corruption, through public education and outreach sessions which has seen the ACC meet with various MDAs and communities in and around Kenema aimed at raising their awareness on corruption and the operations of the ACC. Burma III Community, in Nongowa Chiefdom, Kenema District was on Friday the 19th of August, 2011 the latest community to be targeted. (Photo: A coss section of the Burma III Community People)
Mr. Anthony S. Kamara, welcoming the ACC, expressed satisfaction over the visit as the people of Burma need a lot of education on corruption and the operations of the ACC. Chief A. J. Lamin who Chaired the meeting expressed delight over the move by the ACC to engage and educate them on corruption issues which he termed as enemy to the development of this war ravaged nation. He maintained that the ACC alone cannot successfully curb corruption except with the support of all and sundry. He encouraged all to be attentive and seek clarifications to confusing concepts about the ACC and its operations.
The District Coordinator of the ACC Kenema Mr. Mohamed S. Blake declaring the purpose of such an engagement was quick to point out that the presence of the ACC in Burma is just one of their regular public education campaigns aimed at taking the ACC to the people. He referred to the ACC as the lead agency in the fight against corruption and hence seeks to recruit the public into the fight and as such was educating them on the operations of the ACC, what constitutes corruption, how to report corruption and the benefits of a corrupt free nation. This is all aimed at better preparing them to join the national crusade against graft. He stated that corruption was one of the principal causes of the unrest that this country went through and called on all to stand firm against corruption and educate others to resist, reject and report instances of corruption to the ACC.
ACC Officers and Chiefs of the Burma III
Giving a brief overview and operations of the ACC, the Public Education Officer East, David K. Conteh spoke on the establishment of the ACC by an Act of Parliament in 2000 as result of recommendations of the TRC. He added that the AC Act of 2008 has 27 corrupt practices and gives the ACC prosecutorial powers. He spoke on the three operational wings of the ACC; Education, prevention and prosecution. He stated that the ACC puts much premium on preventing corruption rather than prosecuting offenders. He encouraged people to abide by the laid down rules, regulations and policies.
Mr. Peter B. Kamara Acting Regional Manager East briefly spoke on the reporting procedures, the informant and witness protection and the 10% reward schemes and encouraged his audience to break the culture of silence and report corruption. He highlighted some corrupt practices in the AC Act of 2008 and their respective penalties and encouraged all to serve as ACC ambassadors by educating other members of the community. He urged them to support the work of the ACC by giving timely and credible information.
He gave the ACC hotlines and encouraged the community people to utilize this opportunity and report corruption related issues to the ACC.
In his closing statement, Chief Bockarie Samai of Burma III Community appreciated the ACC for the sensitization and called on all to be committed to the fight against corruption and registered his community’s preparedness to support the ACC in the interest of national development. Chief Mary Salamy, the Women’s leader moved the vote of thanks.
By Mohamed Sylvanus Blake, ACC, District Coordinating Officer –Kenema
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