NACS Secretariat holds focus group discussion with MDAs and Civil Society monitors in Bo
The National Anti-Corruption Strategy Secretariat together with the Southern Regional Office has on Friday 30th and Saturday 31st March, 2012 held a focus group discussion with MDAs and Civil Society Monitors respectively at the One World Link, Old Mattru Road, Bo.These were strategic meetings meant to update both Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and Civil Society Monitors about the revised national anti-corruption strategy and provide effective ways to kick start implementation and monitoring of the process in due course.
Calling the meeting to order, the Public Education Officer –South, Mr. Wilfred Bangura reiterated the significance of the meeting and encouraged participants to ask as many questions as possible. Mr. Bangura highlighted the ground rules and also encouraged the MDAs including civil society monitors to work with ACC District Coordinators in meeting the targets set by the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS).
Giving his welcome remarks, the regional manager South, Mr. Mohamed Dumbuya expressed his delight for the satisfactory turn out of participants at the meeting and expounded on the importance of the NACS; stressing that the strategy will continue to be the road map in the fight against corruption. He said it was a wise move by the Secretariat to engage the MDAs and civil society monitors at that time as they will be the vehicle to ensure effective implementation and monitoring of the process respectively. Mr. Dumbuya encouraged MDAs to be very cooperative in implementing the action plans and implored the civil society monitors to scrupulously monitor the process so that there will be greater value derived from implementing the NACS in the country. He concluded by stating that his doors will always be open to all stakeholders in the process to support and enhance an effective implementation of the NACS.
In giving a recap of the activities undertaken by the NACS secretariat, Mr. David Bayoh, member of the NACS team pointed out that the MDAs and civil society monitors have a critical role to play in the implementation of the action plans as slated in the revised NACS. He told participants in both meetings that the conclusion of the review has set the stage for effective implementation of the strategy through the support and dedication of both MDAs and civil society monitors to enhance the success of the process.
Taking the lead in the focus group discussion, the Director of NACS, Mr. Nabillahi-Musa Kamara welcomed all participants and informed them that they should be committed in the fight against corruption for a better Sierra Leone. Mr. Kamara said monitoring will be done in the second quarter as the first quarter was almost coming to an end. He informed the Civil Society Monitoring group that there will be a scheduled training for them in the future. In addition Mr. Kamara called on all public servants to deliver quality services for the general good. The director informed participants that prevention will continue to be one of the core principles in the fight against corruption and reminded them that NACS was a prevention tool. He concluded by informing them that each MDA was going to have a focal person and they will constitute an integrity committee to enhance coordination in the effective implementation of the NACS.Mr. Kamara implored the regional manager to ensure that this was followed through in the near future and encouraged all present to be committed in the implementation process because he viewed it as a vital contribution to national development.
Questions and answers and comments from both MDAs and civil society monitors formed the high point of the two meetings.
ACC Freetown
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