The Public Education Officer of the ACC stated that the various engagements were in his words, “taking the Commission to the people.” Mohamed Sylvanus Blake stated that the Commission does not have an office in Kailahun District, but that does not in any way indicate that the management of ACC has forgotten the people of Kailahun. He stated that the ACC as an accountability-focused institution with core operations to account to the people of Sierra Leone of which the people of Kailahun are part.
The engagements included; meet the schools campaigns at the Government Nixon Memorial Nursing School, National and Methodist Secondary Schools in Kailahun Town, customized sensitization with the rank and file of the Sierra Leone Police in Segbwema, Daru and Kailahun, meetings with Paramount Chiefs and Chiefdom stakeholders of Njaluahun, Jawei and Upper Bambara Chiefdoms, dialogue with heads of MDAs, Civil Society, Media, Youth, Religious Leaders etc. in Kailahun Town, deliberations with the Management of the Government Nixon Memorial Methodist and Kailahun Government Hospitals on the development of citizens services delivery charter and radio sensitization programmes.
Sylvanus Blake stated in one of such meetings at a jam-packed Pendembu Town Barry, that the ACC under the astute leadership of Francis B. Kaifala Esq., in the past eight months achieved ground breaking results that have re-enkindled immense public confidence and belief in the fight against corruption. Highlighting some key achievements, Sylvanus Blake stated the recovery of Twelve Billion Leones(Le:12,000,000,000), from persons who the ACC have investigated and entered into settlement agreement with, the proposed amendment to the 2008 Anti-Corruption Act and other major ongoing investigations, and maintained that the ACC was prepared to take all necessary steps to make corruption very risky and unprofitable.
The Regional Manager, ACC East, Keifala Koi implored stakeholders to build and maintain integrity through self-discipline. He stated that the ACC was only leading the national fight which cannot be won without the unflinching support of all. He asked all present to Resist, Reject and Report all instances of corruption to the ACC by using the ACC hot lines which he read out. He added that the identity of complainants and witnesses of the ACC are always kept confidential. Manager Koi assured the people of Kailahun District of Management’s commitment to the fight against corruption in a fair, transparent and just manner despite political, regional and tribal sentiments. He ended by dispelling wild rumors that the ACC have never and shall never be used as a tool to witch-hunt a certain sector of society. ‘’We are leading a national fight and we shall not be distracted. If you steal from this nation, we shall pursue you and bring back our money/resources’’ Koi stressed.
The Hon. Paramount Chief of Jawei, PC Ngobukla Kallon in one of the meetings stated that the paradigm shift in the fight is not only historic, but a good warning to the corrupt, and it a bold step in the right path. He pledged his support to the fight and encouraged the leadership of the ACC to remain focused, unwavering and committed. Chiefdom Speaker of Upper Bambara, Chief Steven Barbawo in a similar meeting stated that the new leadership of the ACC has made it clear that the fight against corruption is winnable. He stated that skeptics and doubting ‘Thomases’ who thought we cannot win the righteous war against corruption are wrong. He encouraged all to think positive and believe in the fight against corruption which he termed ‘’a good fight of faith’’.
