ACC targets prison officers at Mafanta correctional centre
In a bid to ensuring that public sector organizations are rid of corruption practices, the Anti-Corruption Commission Northern Regional Office on Wednesday 22ndAugust, 2012 thoroughly sensitized prison officers of the Mafanta Correctional Centre, Magburaka. (Photo: Cross section of prison personnel at Mafanta during the meeting with ACC)
Welcoming ACC to his department, the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Mafanta, Assistant Superintendent (ASP) Abu I. Sesay revealed that the Commission was doing its best to sensitize people on the evils of corruption. ASP Sesay further said the ACC puts in strategies to check the corrupt tendencies of persons and organizations. He implored his personnel to take the message from ACC staff seriously, as it would have great impact on their lives. The OIC Mafanta further maintained that the engagement was very timely, as they had longed for the visit of the Commission.
Abdulai Saccoh, ACCs District Coordinator Tonkolili (standing) explaining the purpose of the meeting and an overview of the ACC
Explaining the rationale for the meeting, ACC District Coordinator Tonkolili Abdulai Saccoh, told his audience that the Commission was at Mafanta to educate staff on the downsides of graft, the benefits of a corrupt free country and solicit their support for the crusade. Mr. Saccoh emphasized that the ACC was reaching out to all persons in Sierra Leone, in order to spread anti-corruption messages. The Coordinator disclosed to the personnel that ACC is the lead agency with the statutory mandate to take all steps necessary for the suppression, prevention and eradication of corruption in the country. He told the officers of the strategies employed in the corruption fight and the impact these measures have created towards the achievement of the Commission’s mandate. Saccoh informed the officers that ACC is not witch-hunting anybody even when it has been granted the powers to prosecute cases directly in court. Mr. Saccoh encouraged his listeners to reject, resist and report corruption as they were critical pillars supporting the anti-graft campaign.
Manager ACC North Patrick Sandi highlighting key corruption offences as they relate to the work of the prison officers
Addressing the officers on corruption offences in the 2008 AC Act, Regional Manager ACC North, Patrick Sandi, re-echoed the significance of the Prisons Department to the fight against corruption. Mr. Sandi said this department was the custodian of persons meant to be reformed, refined and rehabilitated when serving their various jail terms. He also maintained that these officers were expected to be transparent in all what they do, especially in their dealings with the convicts.
Mafanta prison personnel at the engagement with the ACC
Manager Sandi highlighted offences such as soliciting and accepting advantage, influencing a public officer, peddling influence, misappropriation of public/donor funds or property, abuse of office/position and protection of public revenue and property. The ACC Regional boss told the prison staff that penalty for any of the offences when found guilty was a fine of not less than thirty million Leones or a prison term of not less than three years or both. Mr. Sandi entreated the staff of Mafanta to desist from corruption as the practice was harmful. “It is you and me that will eradicate corruption in Sierra Leone”, Manager Sandi mentioned.
Manager ACC North handing over IEC materials to the OIC Mafanta for his personnel
Making their contributions, senior prison officers of the department expressed appreciation to the ACC for the education and assured the team of their support to the fight.
Questions and answers, with the presentation of promotional materials climaxed the meeting.
ACC Makeni
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