The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has held a one-day training for its different partners including civil society, media and public and civil society organisations.
Commissioner Ady Macauley stressed on the Commissions lead role in the fight against corruption and how other institutions should also take ownership of the fight.
He explained that the Anti-Corruption Act 2008 provides for partnerships with other institutions; something he described as a proactive approach to the anti-corruption campaign. He spoke about the public education and preventive drives of the Commission, which he said is often disregarded by the public.
Commissioner Macauley made reference to the actions being taken by public institutions in addressing issues of corruption in the workplace. “We achieve a lot more when we tackle the weaknesses in public institutions that encourage the commission of corrupt acts”, he noted.
Presenting the anti-corruption legal instruments and offences, the ACC Commissioner explained the major provisions of the Anti-Corruption Act 2008 and the obligations of public officers and institutions to work with the ACC at any material time, adding that there are penalties for any failure in that regard. He spoke on the some of the common offences including soliciting and accepting an advantage, impeding investment, failure to declare assets, abuse of office or position and misappropriation of public or donor funds.
The Deputy Director of Public Education and Outreach at ACC, Patrick Sandi, while making his presentation on the role of partners in the fight against corruption, said the objective of the partnership is to enhance transparency and accountability in the governance of Sierra Leone. He said such partnership could include information sharing on corruption-related issues, reporting and making referrals to the ACC of individuals suspected of committing acts of corruption and sometimes serving as anti-corruption ambassadors by correcting some of the wrong perceptions people hold about the Commission.
Chairperson of the engagement, Director of Public Education and Outreach Koloneh Sankoh, said the Commission takes partnerships with other institutions very seriously. She made reference to the National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2014-2018, which makes room for public, private and civil society organisations to take ownership of the fight against corruption.
BM/23/8/17
Monday August 28, 2017.
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