By Dauda Kamara
The Anti -Corruption Commission (ACC) has officially launched the fourth generational Anti-Corruption Strategy (2019-2023) at the Miatta Conference Center, Brookfield’s, Freetown under the auspices of the Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr.Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh on Tuesday ,13th August,2019 in Freetown.
The NACS will serve as a blueprint for fighting corruption government within and among the private sector, civil Society organizations. The NACS is expected to support efforts at strengthening the fight against corruption in the country.
It is a model for developing a set of shared responsibilities across sectors with a view to encourage collaboration within and among sectors and to direct renewed enthusiasm towards the aim of reducing corruption and building and ethical society.
In his keynotes address, Dr. Juldeh Jalloh described the NACS as a National Strategy that “aims at confronting corruption which he described as a threat to every spare of national development.
The Honorable Vice President further emphasized the fact that, building an ethical and accountable Government that promotes zero tolerance for corruption inspires integrity and adherence to the rule of law is key for the New Direction Government.
The Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission ACC), Francis Ben Kaifala Esq. noted that “Enforcement is the heart of the new Strategy, back-stopped with public Education”
This according to him will demonstrate to the public that Government is determined to fight corruption.
He entreated citizens to always resist and report corruption and added that, the drafting of the NACS is consistent with the Government’s Medium Term National Development Plan; the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) and the Sierra Leone Anti Corruption Act of 2008.
The Anti-Corruption Czar implored the various sectors in governance and the general public to support the implementation of the new Strategy with a view to reducing corruption and Consolidating the foundation of good governance in Sierra Leone.
Vice President, Sierra Leone Bar Association, Justice Miatta Samba, said the Bar is committed to the fight against corruption. She cited citing sec [7] of the ACC act of 2008 which according to her empowers the ACC to prosecute persons serving in both the private and public sectors.
She encouraged colleagues lawyers to ensure that they understand the nature of they represent their clients with.
President Sierra Leone Association of Journalists, Ahmed Sahid Nasralla linked the issue of corruption to lack of commitment on the part of the politicians,the Police and Judiciary.These bodies according to the SLAJ President are mainly responsible for the corruption menace in our society.
He implored state institutions to take journalists as friends and not as foes and expressed a strong commitment from his Association to fight corruption in the country.
Representative from the British High Commission, Welcomed the resolve of President Bio to fight graft in the country.He assured Government of the support of the development partners to the fight against corruption.
He added that the government has not only declared corruption a national emergency but also a national fight.
One of the field researchers who was made a presentation at the ceremony mentioned that, the delaying payment of salaries of Civil Servant is one the factors responsible for corrupt practices.He encouraged government to introduce an electronic system .
He added that, interference from politicians and the Judiciary are factors that are identified to hinder the fight against corruption in the country.
This ceremony was chaired by the chief minister, Professor David Francis.