ACC observes International Anti-Corruption Day in Makeni
The Northern Regional Office of the Anti-Corruption Commission has on Monday 9th December observed this year’s International Anti-Corruption Day with a quiz competition and No Bribe campaign in Makeni with the theme; ‘Take No Bribe; Pay No Bribe’. (Photo: Regional Manager North ACC Patrick Sandi right with the hat explaining the rationale for the quiz and the IAC Day celebration)
The quiz competition which was among the ACC Integrity Clubs of the Benevolent Islamic Secondary School, Birch Memorial Secondary School, St. Francis Secondary School and St. Joseph’s Convent Secondary School was hosted at the Sierra Leone Teacher’s Union Hall in Makeni.
In his welcome address, ACC’s Senior Public Education Officer, Al-Hassan Sesay on behalf of the Commissioner, expressed gratitude and appreciation to MDAs, Civil Society Organizations, Principals, Teacher Coordinators and pupils of the respective schools for their efforts towards the fight against corruption. Mr. Sesay said the objective of the quiz competition was to increase awareness on the negative impact of corruption and the pupils’ understanding and knowledge about the work of ACC. He noted that the ACC had been working tirelessly to bring the Commission closer to the people with the intention to make Sierra Leoneans understand the nature of its work, whilst at the same time soliciting support towards the fight against corruption. The Senior Public Education Officer re-emphasised ACC’s commitment to its vision of ensuring a corrupt free Sierra Leone wherein the socio-economic needs of Sierra Leoneans are met.
Declaring the competition open, the Regional Manager of ACC- North, Patrick Sandi underscored the importance of partnership in the fight against corruption in Sierra Leone. He disclosed that it had been a tradition of ACC to join other countries in the world in observance of the International Anti-Corruption Day on 9th December which was designated by the United Nations General Assembly in October 2003 to raise awareness about the dangers of corruption and the benefits of a corrupt free country.
Quizzer from St. Joseph’s Convent flanked by the teacher coordinators receiving the first prize from Mrs. Hariett Kamara
The Regional Manager lamented that corruption continues to be a serious impediment to the development of Sierra Leone and therefore called for public ownership of the fight against the cancer. He underscored that ACC cannot succeed by doing it alone. Manager Sandi used the occasion to highlight the various strides made by the ACC towards the fight in terms of the successes scored at national and international levels. He reminded the pupils and their Teacher Coordinators of their responsibility to join the fight against corruption and be role models. He also encouraged them not only to spread anti-corruption messages in their schools but also resist, reject and stand firm against corruption.
At the end of the competition which was aired live on Radio Mankneh and SLBC Radio, St. Joseph’s Convent Secondary emerged as winner and received the grand prize of Le500,000/=. St. Francis Secondary School received the second prize of Le300,000/= whilst Benevolent Islamic Secondary School and Birch Memorial Secondary School received consolation prizes of Le150,000/= each.
Cross Section of the audience at the Quiz Competition organized in observance of International Anti-Corruption Day-2013
Vice President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists, Mr. Stanley Bangura Jr., Senior Inspector of Schools- Bombali District Mr. Gibrilla A. Sesay and Secretary, District Budget Oversight Committee- Bombali Mr. Ibraheem Daramy, served as judges.
The No Bribe Day campaign which was done on the same day in collaboration with Hope Sierra Leone was geared towards ensuring that no bribe was paid or received on that day. During the exercise, staff members of Hope Sierra Leone were deployed at various corruption prone areas including police checkpoints, under the supervision of ACC personnel.
Earlier, the Regional Office had commenced the celebrations with Muslim and Christian prayers at the Teko Road Mosque and the Wesleyan Church Sierra Leone Rogbaneh Makeni, on Friday 6th and Sunday 8th December, 2013 respectively.
ACC Makeni
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