ACC schools the private schools in Kenema
As a measure to continue spreading the net in the fight against corruption, the Eastern Regional Office of the ACC has extended the meet the schools campaign against corruption to private schools in Kenema. The first of the campaigns in the private schools was held at The Door International Academy on Thursday 19th June 2014. Welcoming the ACC team to the school the Proprietor and Principal of the school Pastor Ayuba Sheriff said that he was delighted to have the ACC come to educate them on the operations of the Anti-Corruption Commission and corruption issues. He said that corruption has destroyed the nation and is the cause of underdevelopment and poverty in the country. He noted that it was a good thing that the Commission was coming to the school to educate them on corruption and its effects on the nation and for pupils to come on board the fight against corruption. (Photo: Pupils of The Door International Academy)
Addressing pupils, the Acting Regional Manager of the ACC East Peter Baio Kamara explained the background, the Vision, mission and mandate of the ACC. He highlighted instances in the past where pupils benefited from scholarships and free medical treatment but because of corruption pupils no longer benefit from these opportunities. He said that in the past schools were supplied with enough teaching and learning material but this was not the case now all because of corruption. Peter Kamara explained the meaning of corruption to the pupils. He explained that the ACC was targeting schools because it is through the schools knowledge; attitude and skills are transmitted to pupils. He said that integrity is one key value the ACC seeks to transmit into pupils because it forms the foundation for a corrupt free individual and the society as a whole. He defined integrity as honesty, uprightness, truth and the desire to always be transparent, accountable and open.
Mr. Kamara defined corruption and gave examples of corrupt practices in the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008 and the penalties for anyone who violates any of the offences in the Act.
Acting Regional Manager of the ACC East Peter Baio Kamara
He mentioned some malpractices going on in schools that could be corruption and lack of integrity. Acts such as, late coming, truancy, cheating/exams malpractices, shabby dressing, violence, illegal charges, dodging of classes by teachers, forcing pupils to buy pamphlets, extra classes at the expense of the normal classes to name a few. He said if pupils grow up with these vices they will surely do the same when they start work as public officers. He therefore encouraged pupils to desist from such practices and imbibe the culture of integrity, which will make them good citizens in society.
Mr. Kamara said that the ACC uses education, prevention, confrontation in addressing corruption. The Public Education department he went on carries out public education activities in institutions and communities on the bad effects of corruption and the good things a corrupt free country stands to gain. He said the prevention department looks into existing systems, practices and procedures in government ministries departments and agencies, identifies corruption prone areas and makes recommendations on best practice. He gave examples of the several engagements the Commission has had with Communities and institutions both in terms of prevention and education which he said has gone some way to addressing corruption in this part of the country as people are now reporting alleged corruption cases to the office in Kenema. On confrontation Mr. Kamara noted that people judge the Commission by the number of arrests, prosecutions and convictions. He added that as a measure to curb corruption, prevention of corruption is much better than curing it hence the emphasis on education and prevention which makes more converts from corruption than convicts of corruption. He highlighted several successes of the ACC and emphasized that much could be achieved with the help of all Sierra Leoneans including school pupils.
Proprietor of the school Pastor Ayouba Sheriff
In his closing remarks the Proprietor and principal Pastor Ayuba Sheriff thanked the ACC for the initiative and asked pupils to refrain from all unlawful acts that will invite the unfriendly face of the Commission. He asked that the Commission continue to make its doors open to the school.
ACC Kenema
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