The people of Gbomsamba, Port Loko District join the ACC in the fight against corruption
In the quest to achieving its vision and mandate, the Anti–Corruption Commission (ACC) in the Northern Region of Sierra Leone on Thursday 6th October 2011 enlisted the people of Gbomsamba, Buya Romende Chiefdom in Port Loko District in the fight against corruption.
Gbomsamba is a prominent village 24 miles away from Makeni City and is situated along the Makeni Lunsar High way.
In the chairperson’s opening remarks, Moses Fondowa an Agricultural Developer and a community elder in the Gbomsamba community welcomed the ACC staff and other participants that represented the Gbomsamba environs. He said before this time they were in complete darkness because they have no idea about what the ACC actually stands for, and continued to say that the people of this country needs a leader that will lead the fight against corruption. “I am pleased to have the ACC Manager North in our midst, which shows the seriousness the ACC attach to the people of Buya Romende Chiefdom” says Mr. Fondowa.
Finda Bangura, Public Educator giving the purpose of the meeting
Giving the overview and declaring the purpose of the meeting, the Public Education Officer North for ACC, Mrs. Fatmata Finda Bangura, started by thanking the people of Gbomsamba for showing their commitment in seeing Sierra Leone free from all forms of corruption and corrupt practices and extended regards on behalf of the Commissioner Mr. Joseph F. Kamara and the entire staff of the Commission to the people of Gbomsamba.
Mrs. Finda Bangura talked on the reason for the establishment of the Commission, borne out of the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) through an Act of Parliament in the year 2000.
During this period, the Commission had mandate to investigate just nine (9) offences and prosecution of these were determined by the office of the Anthony General and Minister of Justice. At that time, the Commission was given all derogatory names such as, a dog that barks but does not bite toothless bull dog, white elephant, etc. In 2008, the AC Act 2000 was repealed and enacted with the AC Act 2008 which gave the Commission the prosecutorial powers to charge matters directly to court and expanded its scope of offences from nine (9) to twenty seven (27).
She stressed on Public Education, Prevention and Confrontation as the three main approaches the Commission uses in fighting corruption.
In addressing the audience on the purpose of the meeting, Finda Bangura told the people of Gbomsamba that, the Commission sees them as very important citizens that can contribute greatly in rebranding our nation.
They were encouraged to partner with the ACC to develop the only Sierra Leone we have in the universe.
Manager Sandi handing over educational materials to Section Chief Sampha Turay
Highlighting some of the offences and penalties as contained in the AC Act 2008, an Act which all ACC staff consider as their Bible and Quran in the discharge of their duties; the Regional Manager North, Patrick Sandi expressed his sincere gratitude to the community members and says he was happy to be part of the meeting and at the same time happy to work with them. Such meetings held by ACC are to solicit support from the public and build strong partnership in the fight against corruption in seeing Sierra Leone improve to higher standards. We need enough time to educate the public in the country about corruption, because the evils and negative effects of corruption cuts across all borders noting well that the war in Sierra Leone affected all and sundry directly and indirectly says Manger Sandi.
He further told the community members that, the ACC is there to give them knowledge because; knowledge is power, power that will help the public to join in exposing corrupt persons and institutions in their different environs.
Besides the 27 offences, there are also other offences that are punishable under the ACC law if committed, such as: making false report, impersonation, obstructing the work of the Commission, failing to declare your Assets etc. He went on to explain the 27 main offences in detail for the community people to understand. Corrupt acquisition of wealth, Possession of Unexplained Wealth; Offering, Soliciting or Accepting Advantage; Impeding Investment, Misappropriation of public and donor funds or property, Bid Rigging, Willfully failing to comply with procurement rules and regulations, conflict of interests, Gifts, corrupting a public officer, and some other common offences that are committed in the free health care program for under fives, lactating mothers and pregnant women, and the education sector such as, illegal admission, paying for report cards, asking pupils to bring cooking items as creative practical arts, failing to pay taxes, depriving Government of revenues that is due her, ghost teachers in schools, non-refund of the girl child money to parents, to name but a few.
Patrick Sandi ended by saying that, corruption generates suffering and poor standard of living for citizens. The penalty for all the 27 offences in the AC Act 2008 when found guilty is a fine of not less than Le 30,000,000 or imprisonment not less than 3 years or both; pay the fine and serve the prison term.
Al-Hassan Sesay, PEO North, explaining how to report to the ACC
Talking on how to report, Al-Hassan Sesay, Public Education Officer North, spoke on the importance of reporting to the Commission, the various ways of reporting, the 10% reward informants receive from the proceeds received from corrupt matters reported to the Commission.
He encouraged participants to report corruption and assured them of the Commission’s protection and confidentiality schemes. He gave them the ACC free hotlines they could use to report corruption.
He asked if they are now ready to join the ACC in the fight against corruption, to which he asked them to stand and wave to say ‘bye-bye’ to corruption and ‘no to corruption’.
He encouraged them to “Congo report” and not “Congosa” to the Commission.
Cross section of the audience
Giving the vote of thanks, Foday Osman Bangura, Acting Principal Rural Academy Secondary School Gbomsamba, thanked all for attending the meeting and that it is not easy to forgo all other duties to attend to such an important meeting on this big day in the life of the people of Gbomsamba. He continued to say that the ACC considers them as very important partners in the fight against corruption and wants to see their community develop. Mr. Bangura promised to join the Commission because if corruption is killed, the suffering of the people we be curtailed. He asked the participants to pass on the education to those absent in order to produce multiplying effect.
The meeting ended with questions and answers session; responded to by ACC staff, whilst the Regional Manager Patrick Sandi handed over (150) one hundred and fifty assorted public education materials to the section chief Sanpha Turay for distribution to community members .
Stay with Sierra Express Media, for your trusted place in news!
© 2011, https:. All rights reserved.
