ACC targets Ministry of Social Welfare and Children’s Affairs in Bo
The Southern Regional Office of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has on Tuesday 6th March, 2012 cautioned stakeholders of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Children’s Affairs to desist from corrupt practices and promote good governance.
Welcoming the team from the ACC and giving an overview of the ministry’s operations, the provincial Social Development Officer, Mr. Daniel Sesay encouraged all to join the fight against corruption. Mr. Sesay gave scenarios of corruption and corrupt practices and stressed the need for his team to be accountable in delivering services for the general good. Mr. Sesay highlighted the importance of sections 39 and 58 of the local government Act of 2004 in relation to the role local councils should play in supporting and promoting the affairs and rights of children. Mr. Sesay maintained that the ACC is not new to their campaigns as they have been able to score hundred percent success in the recent performance rating conducted by the National Anti-corruption Strategy (NACS) secretariat.
Giving the purpose of the meeting and also updating the audience on the current activities of the commission, the Public Education Officer South, Mr. Wilfred Bangura, said the ACC was in the Ministry of Social Welfare because they alone cannot fight corruption in the country. He called on all present to partner with the Commission. Mr. Bangura explained the three-prong approach used by the Commission in the fight against corruption, namely: public education, prevention and enforcement.
Mr. Bangura also mentioned the various ways of making reports to the Commission and assured the participants of the fullest protection of informers.
Making a statement on the state of corruption in the country, the regional manager south, Mr. Mohamed Dumbuya, underscored the fact that one of the main causes of corruption in Sierra Leone is greed and selfishness. He opined that public officials should uphold integrity in public life. Mr.Dumbuya reiterated that the quest for unlimited wants can tempt one to indulge in corruption. He thus encouraged participants to ignore too many social pressures and obligations which trigger corrupt acts particularly among bureaucrats. He further mentioned the role of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy in providing a road map to fight graft in the country. Mr. Dumbuya encouraged the public officials of the social Welfare Ministry to be very mindful of development initiatives carried out in their areas of operation and admonished them to shy away from corruption as it is counterproductive to development. He concluded that as social development workers they should be role models and engineers of change.
Speaking on the need for mutual collaboration and cooperation in the fight against corruption, the Bo District Coordinator, Mr. Anthony B. Samu said, public Officials should by all means possible join the ACC in the fight against graft. Mr. Samu encouraged participants to be proactive in reporting corruption particularly on sub standard development projects implemented in their localities. He told participants that the doors of the commission are always open for such complaints and that there are no sacred cows in the fight against corruption.
A brief statement of commitment in the fight against corruption was made by Jeneba Alice Koroma, a social Development officer, followed by questions and answers. Closing courtesies were then made by the regional manager to mark the end of the customized meeting.
ACC, Bo
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