By: Dolly A. Issa, Communications Officer, ACC.
In a bid to convey anti-corruption messages and enlist the informal sector in the anti-graft campaign, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on 26th January, 2024 engaged the Lumley Market Women on anti-corruption issues.
Speaking at the engagement, Senior Communications Officer, ACC, Alhaji A.K. Bangura said, some of the constraints the market women are facing are as a result of some greedy public officials who decide to engage in corruption. He further disclosed to his listeners the monies recovered by ACC, which is over 8 Billion Leones-public money. Mr. Bangura encouraged the market women to support the ACC curb corruption in Sierra Leone.
He also educated them on the ills of ccorruption citing as an example when the market women unjustifiably do shady things like adding flour to Tola, or cool aid to Palm Oil etc. He informed them that these acts have been brought to the attention of the ACC and they must stop. Otherwise, if anybody is caught, he/she will face the full force of the law by the relevant Agency.
Mr. Bangura also threw light on the different components of the Free Quality Education. He told them that anything that has to do with the buying of handouts or any school material without the knowledge of the school authority should be brought to the knowledge of the ACC. He furthered that parents should make it a culture to advise their girl-children with regards sex for grades. It is no secret that some male teachers are in the bad habit of demanding sex from our girl children for pass grades, he averred. On the other hand, the boys are also asked to pay monies for grades. The victims must inform the ACC, Bangura urged.
In her submission, Dolly A. Issa, Communications Officer, ACC, dilated on the activities of the Commission. She told her listeners that the Commission is not only there to arrest and investigate people but also, to sensitize the people through its public education campaigns and conduct systems and policy reviews and reforms. She encouraged her listeners to resist and desist from any improper and corrupt acts.
Public Education Officer at the ACC, Yangie D. Sesay implored market women not to involve in any corrupt practice. She further told them that the fight against corruption is not only limited to ACC staff but to the entire citizenry of the country. Madam Sesay disclosed further to them that, Sierra Leone decades back was referred to as the Athens of West Africa where good quality education was at top notch, but we have lost this glory due to bad governance and corruption.
Yangie also told the women to resist and report any alleged corruption or corrupt practices by calling the toll-free numbers 077985985/077986986 or visit ACC offices at Integrity House, Tower Hill in Freetown or the Regional Offices in Port Loko, Makeni, Kono, Kenema and Bo.
Earlier, the Chairlady and Mammy Queen of the market women, Mamie Adama said, she was pleased to know that the ACC has interest in the Informal Sector especially the Lumley market where she works. She further thanked Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala Esq., and his team for the tremendous work so far and successes gained in the fight against corruption. She pleaded with all and sundry especially with her colleagues-the Lumley market women to support the ACC in its nationalistic work.
Questions and answers session formed part of the engagement.
