ACC interacts with midwifery school in Makeni

Any country where corruption is endemic will be difficult to develop. Therefore collective effort is required to eradicate this malaise in society; says the head of the Midwifery school Mrs. Francess Fornah at a customized meeting held by the Anti-Corruption Commission Northern Regional Office on Friday 9th May 2014 at the school hall Masuba in Makeni.

The meeting was part of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) sustained public education campaign to spread anti-graft messages to different shades of society; in a bid to enlighten staff and students of Midwifery school on the adverse effects of corruption, how they should collaborate with the ACC and how to report any suspected cases of corruption in their school and community.

Speaking on the role of the school in the fight against corruption, Public Education Officer Abdulai Saccoh maintained that the health sector was in a deplorable state due to corruption. Consequently, decisive action must be taken by all patriotic Sierra Leoneans to liberate this nation from this epidemic. Mr. Saccoh encouraged the students to imbibe the culture of transparency and accountability when they shall have taken public office at the end of their studies. Public Education Officer informed them that their role in this crusade is to resist, reject and report any incidence of corruption to ACC in order to enhance quality health delivery service.

ACC Manager North Mr. Patrick Sandi expressed profound thanks to the Management and staff of the school for the readiness they demonstrated to join forces with ACC to combat corruption. Mr. Sandi reiterated that the health sector is very central to the development aspiration of any nation. He admitted that fighting corruption is a difficult task because it has existed for a very long time, it is endemic in the society and the mindset of some people still remains negative about the campaign against graft. ACC boss North noted that corruption is dynamic as there are lot of issues that could emerge during the course of time. Manager Sandi emphasized that ACC is not a witch hunt institution; it serves as a check on the excesses of public bodies and public officers. He informed them that ACC do not adjudicate corruption cases in the High Court but rather its mandate stops at prosecution. Manager Sandi implored the students to stand with the Commission in this fight as those benefiting from it are in the minority as compared to those suffering from it. “When ACC succeeds it is the country that has succeeded but if it fails it the country that has failed. The Commission’s efforts are geared towards improving the lives of Sierra Leoneans and not an individual” Mr. Sandi concluded.

ACC’s Public Education Officer Abdulai Saccoh explained the benefits of reporting corruption, how to report and protection for informers. He cautioned his audience to refrain from making false reports as it is also a crime. He read out the ACC mobile phone numbers to enable them report to the Commission. He encouraged the listeners to report any corrupt practices that occur in their school.

Questions and answers session climaxed the interaction.

ACC Makeni

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