The objective of the workshop was to help the council in mainstreaming ethics and integrity in the institution in order to enhance quality service delivery.
The Commissioner of ACC, Francis Ben Kaifala Esq. thanked the Mayor of Freetown, Yvonne Aki-Sawyer and said that the vision of the new ACC is to see that the transformative story of Sierra Leone is changed from that of the old one.
He said the ACC is expanding its investigations and prosecutions units, to ensure that cases are speedily dealt with.
He added that a special courtroom has been identified and dedicated to speedily try ACC cases.
The Chairman of the programme and Deputy Commissioner, ACC Shollay Davies, said corruption has reached a level such that if it is not tackled it will lead to a devastating consequence that will have an adverse effect on the people.
He described ethics and integrity as moral values that help any organization or institution to function well.
The Mayor of Freetown Yvonne Aki-Sawyer thanked the ACC for the opportunity accorded the Council to organize the workshop.
She said that there is good reason to focus on ethics and integrity if you want to provide quality services, noting that this conforms to the Council’s focus to transform the municipality.
She identified some challenges the Council is facing, especially on environmental issues, congestion, revenue mobilization, among others. “Some people are refusing to pay their taxes as they no longer have trust in Council”, she said.
The Director of Systems and Processes Review Department (SPRD), ACC, Rashid Turay described his Department as the preventive arm of the Commission tasked with conducting systems reviews and processes of public offices and proffer recommendations for best practices. He said the Commission has been receiving many complaints from the public concerning services rendered by the Council.
The Deputy Director of SPRD Alhassan Kargbo made a presentation on the history and legal framework of corruption and the offences in the Anti-Corruption Act 2008 Act.
Head of Policy and Ethics of SPRD Patrick M. George spoke on the codes of conduct and professional standards for public officers.
Group work and presentations formed part of the workshop.
