ACC calls for community involvement in fighting corruption in JIAMA Bongor Chiefdom, Bo District
The Southern Regional Office of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has on Friday 30th August 2013 addressed the community leaders and members of Koribondo Town in the Jiama Bongor chiefdom, Bo District. This event was organized to galvanize the public support in the fight against corruption and to sensitize them about the work of the commission in line with the public education and outreach drive of the ACC. The meeting which took at the township Court Barri was attended by over 200 participants including chiefs and tribal authorities, representatives of youth groups, women, societal organizations, Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), teachers, the Sierra Leone Police, drivers, bike riders and traders. (Photo: ACC’s Regional Manager South making his statement.)
Addressing the audience, Mr. Anthony Samu, the ACC Bo district coordinator explained the rationale for the meeting with the community members. He explained that sensitization is an important strategy in tackling graft as it will influence the mindset of the people against it. He said the meeting also serves as a forum for interaction between the public and ACC and encouraged all to take advantage of the opportunity to ask all necessary questions and seek clarifications on corruption matters and the work of the ACC.
In his welcome address, the representative of the paramount chief of Jiama Bongor chiefdom based in Koribondo, Chief Alhaji Mohamed Alpha welcomed the visiting ACC team from the Bo Office and expressed delight for their visit to his chiefdom. Chief Alhaji Alpha said that his chiefdom area of jurisdiction has been looking forward to interacting and discussing with the ACC in a bid to get more information and understanding about the work of the ACC. Chief Alhaji Alpha praised the Commission for the progress made so in tackling corruption not only in Jiama Bongor chiefdom, but the country as a whole.
The ACC Regional Manager makes his statement as the Town Chief interprets in Mende.
In his brief, Mr. Wilfred Bangura, ACC Public Education Officer, explained to the audience what corruption is, and the various offences under Anti-Corruption Act of 2008. Mr. Bangura talked about various corruption issues affecting communities citing the illegal school charges in the education sector, challenges of the Free Health Care services and concerns over the services and activities of NGOs in communities.
In his presentation on behalf of the Commission, Mr. Samuel Marah, ACC Regional Manager- South expressed his appreciation for the meeting stressing that corruption is not good for the nation and therefore must be treated as a national concern. He said communities should not treat the issue of corruption lightly and must join in the fight against corruption since the Commission cannot do the fight alone. He stated that tremendous progress could be made against corruption in the country if there is increase local and community involvement. Manager Marah reiterated that corruption affects every sector in society, highlighting low educational standards, poor infrastructure like roads network, poor medical facilities and poverty as attributes of corruption. He encouraged all to take up the responsibility to fight corruption.
Women’s representative making a statement
Mr. Marah explained the three main approaches used by the Commission in the fight against corruption (public education, systems & processes review-prevention and enforcement or prosecution). He highlighted differences between the 2000 and 2008 Act expounding on sections on prosecutorial powers, monitoring of contracts and compliance sanctions for non-compliance to ACC’s instructions in the ACA of 2008. Mr. Marah also gave updates on the commission’s activities with emphasis on the recent judgements on ACC’s cases which resulted in both fine and custodial sentence. He also pointed out the remarkable achievements of the ACC locally and internationally.
Mr. Marah also took time to talk on participants’ obligations as community members. He advised all to lead a life that will promote integrity and encouraged them to honour their local tax and community obligations which is needed to foster development in their communities. Manager Marah encouraged his audience to report all forms of corruption and assured them of maximum protection against victimization. The Manager concluded by appealing to the community members to actively involve in the fight against corruption by resisting, rejecting and reporting corrupt acts.
Statements were also made by personalities from various institutions including Town Chief Mohamed Kijan from the Chiefdom administration of Koribondo, NGO, the Sierra Leone Police, Ministry of Health and Education.
On behalf of the chiefdom, Chief Alhaji Mohamed Alpha expressed his satisfaction that the ACC is really working for and on behalf of the people of this country and assured the ACC of his chiefdom’s commitment and support to the fight against corruption. He pleaded with the ACC that his chiefdom would like to see corruption reports acted upon quickly and follow through with. He also appealed to the ACC to facilitate empowerment facilities in their communities.
The meeting was climaxed with an interactive question and answer session.
In another development, the ACC team visited the Koribondu Health center. The facilities were inspected and the medical staff were advised to show great diligence in their service and abstain from corrupt practices.
ACC, Bo
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