Speaking to a crowd comprising of ACC executives and staff, including members of the press, civil society activists, religious and traditional leaders, security personnel and other people, the ACC Commissioner, Francis Ben Kaifala, had this to say: “Ever since I was appointed by President Julius Maada Bio, the fight against corruption has been more intense than in previous administrations.” He added that as far as he is concerned, Sierra Leone at this crucial point in history needs not only a strong leader, but a God-fearing leader who leads his people to do and observe the laws of God.
He informed his audience that at timers he feels like letting go; but doesn’t let go when he reminds himself that the people of Sierra Leone expect much from him in the fight against corruption. He went further to state that “the fight against corruption in this country is beyond the physical and what we need now to help us in our fight is spiritual direction, guidance and protection because as the Holy Bible says: ‘our fight is against principalities and powers in high places.’
Gracing the first of its kind ACC programme held at the Taylor-Cummings Garden situated at the Cotton Tree roundabout were Joe Abass Bangura of Africell, Sister Dora Dumbuya of Jesus is Lord Ministries at Tower Hill in Freetown, profound professor and Muslim cleric Alhaji Sheikh Abu Bakarr Conteh, Reverend Father Vincent Davies, and CARL Director Ibrahim Tommy who made it no secret that he is behind the ACC to not only see to it that the ACC crushes in totality corruption in the country, but to also give advice and commendation when the need arise.
The other speakers reiterated the message of the ACC Commissioner, Francis Ben Kaifala, saying that their respective thoughts and actions border around crushing corruption in the country because it is the biggest and greatest evil that destroys mankind. According to him, mankind fails to protect, defend and sustain the environment only when corruption takes the order of the day. He maintained that all the ills occurring in Sierra Leone and across the world, occurs because people decide not to fight against corruption but rather to strike compromise. He maintained that during the commemoration of International Anti-Corruption Day (which falls tomorrow 8th December, 2019), much emphasis was laid on ensuring that the people of Sierra Leone must be encouraged to change their attitude for Sierra Leone to become a self-reliant and more productive state.
