ACC ALERT CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS IN THE SOUTH ON THEIR ROLE IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION

Edifying on the expected role of civil society in the fight against corruption   the Regional Manager Mr. Samuel Marah informed CSO’s of their cardinal importance in the development of every nation and therefore they are expected to take all compulsory steps to fully collaborate with the Anti- Corruption Commission in the national fight against Corruption. He told participants  that the  ACC alone cannot win the battle against corruption except with the full  cooperation of the general public and specifically  members of the civil society organization  .The Regional manager  explained  the three pronged approach adopted by the Commission in the fight against corruption and    further  heartened their minds to adopt an accepted  mechanism to jointly work with the ACC Regional Team  to put an end to the ills of corruption in our society .

 Speaking on the mandate and the general ACC offenses, the investigating officer Mr.Ishmael  Kamara  briefly told  the civil society members that the mandate of the Commission  as being  provide  in the act  for the continuance of  an independent , Anti – Corruption Commission for the Prevention, investigation, and punishment of corruption and corrupt practices and to provide for other related matters. Mr Kamara updated   CSO’s campaigners that prosecution starts with investigation, the sobriety of any prosecution leading to conviction is heavily dependent on the concision and precision of the investigation. The officer provided education on the various offenses which range from abuse of office, mis- appropriation of Donor and public funds to bribery. 

  The public Education Officer, Mr Joseph M. Hazeley delivered on the specific role of civil society members in the fight against corruption which he said that over the years, civil society has made tremendous effort to raise awareness about corruption and the damaging effects it has on the welfare of Sierra Leoneans. He told CSO’s that Corruption do not only distorts economic decision –making, but also deters investment, undermines competitiveness and weakens economic growth. It is a fact that economic, political, social and legal aspects of every country are linked together and corruption in any of these will impede development in them all. He therefore told CSOs members that without vigilance and countermeasures, corruption can occur anywhere. Although civil society has been engaged over the years in this fight,   a strong and unified coalition of civil society organisations would better utilise this important sector. Specifically, it would allow prompt action on corruption related issues through press releases and publication of articles for the attention of both the Anti-Corruption Commission and the population, both nationally and internationally

 The  Regional Civil society chairman Mr Jeremy Simbo Thanked the Commission for such a timely meeting as the disclosure today has empowered its membership to now spring in to action and further express willingness to continuously  work with the commission  on issues of corruption. The whole membership agreed to have a strong alliance with the commission.