As partnership and coalition building remain vital to the fight against corruption, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Regional Office in Kono, engaged members of the media to collaborate and strengthen its partnership with various media houses in a bid to intensify the fight against corruption. The partnership meeting took place at the Commission’s Office in Koidu city.
Delivering his statement during the event, the newly-assigned Regional Director of the ACC to Kono, Michael Sesay, highlighted the importance of partnership in the fight against corruption, adding that the Commission has made admirable achievements largely on account of its fruitful collaboration with various institutions across the country.
Mr. Sesay referred to the media as remarkable partners in the fight against corruption and therefore promised to establish a very friendly relationship with them during his tenure in the district.
Mr. Sesay said that the Kono Regional Office has now been upgraded to a directorate with a view to expand the Commission’s activities in the district. He concluded by soliciting the undiluted support of all residents of Kono in winning the fight against the menace.
Reminding the media representatives about some of the offences in the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008 (as amended) in 2019, Investigation Officer, Dauda Kakai, made a presentation on bribery, acquisition of unexplained wealth, violation of procurement rules and processes, misappropriation of public and donor funds, conspiracy, and abuse of office and abuse of position, among others. He emphasised the Commission’s zero tolerance for all acts of corruption.
Public Education Officer, Patricia J. Sannoh, referred to journalists as one of the Commission’s most important partners in the fight against corruption. She took the journalists through the means of reporting acts of corruption to the Commission.
In his presentation, Senior Public Education Officer Sam P. Gogra described the Commission as a very transparent, credible, and accountable institution. Mr. Gogra further said that the Commission is making many advances in the fight against corruption through public education campaigns, systems reviews conducted in public offices, creation of citizens’ service charters, and the asset declaration exercise.
He said the Commission was also able to recover over forty billion (old) Leones and other physical assets from corrupt individuals in the last few years through the Commission’s robust non-conviction-based assets recovery system.
Mamie Tambo of Community Radio FM 101.3 in Kainkordu, on behalf of her colleagues, expressed deep appreciation for the engagement and promised their unwavering support to the ACC in eradicating the menace of corruption in the district.
