President Bio Consulted by Anti-Corruption Experts for New National Strategy

By: Bernard Abass Kargbo, Public Education Officer – ACC

On August 1, 2024, the indigenous Team of Experts, contracted by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to draft the 5th Generation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) 2024-2028, held a consultation with His Excellency Brig. (Rtd.) Dr. Julius Maada Bio at State House in Freetown. This interactive meeting marked the culmination of a comprehensive nationwide stakeholder consultation process across both private and public sectors.

Led by ACC Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala Esq., the team sought the President’s insights to finalize the strategy. The consultation underscored the Presidential commitment to fortifying the fight against corruption.

Commissioner Kaifala introduced the Team of Experts, highlighting their diverse expertise. He emphasized the importance of hearing from President Bio, noting his exceptional leadership and dedication to combating corruption in Sierra Leone.

Umaru Fofana, Chairman of the team, stated that the session aimed to leverage the President’s knowledge and insights on shaping the next five years of anti-corruption efforts.

President Bio commended the nation’s collective commitment to fighting corruption, acknowledging its dynamic and evolving nature. He compared corruption to a living entity that constantly adapts, necessitating robust and adaptive strategies.

The President emphasized the importance of effective punitive measures and the deployment of technology to reduce human contact, making corruption detection easier. He likened corrupt individuals to drug dealers, stressing the need for persistent and innovative countermeasures.

The sustainability of anti-corruption gains was also discussed. President Bio highlighted the crucial role of Presidential and Political Will from future leaders and ACC Commissioners to continue the fight against corruption for the benefit of Sierra Leone.

The President advised the team to consult with the Minister of Finance regarding the late disbursement of funds to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), a significant concern raised during the consultations.

Ibrahim Tommy Esq. reinforced the idea of integrating technology into daily operations to combat corruption effectively, suggesting that legislative action could further this goal. The team agreed that technology would significantly address corruption, especially in revenue-generating institutions.

Last year, the ACC assembled a team of eight local experts to draft the 5th Generation NACS. The team includes Chairman Umaru Fofana, Koloneh Sankoh, Valnora Edwin, Kabbay Koroma, Mohamed Abu Sesay, Ibrahim Tommy Esq., Alfred Kamanda Esq., and Jonathan Kpakiwa.

The development of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2024-2028 is expected to conclude later this year, followed by its formal launch and implementation.