The northern regional office of the Anti Corruption Commission has rekindled the
hopes of polio persons in Makeni for a better life by expressing its
commitment to working for a corrupt-free Sierra Leone where the
socio-economic needs of every citizen would be met.

According to a press release from the commission, regional manager Patrick Sandy
made this assurance last week during a sensitization meeting with
members of the Polio Persons Development Association (PoPDA) at
Magbenteh, Makeni. Sandy said the ACC was engaging people with
disability in the fight against corruption because of their relevance
in the anti-graft campaign. He said some people or organizations
might want to take advantage of their disability to secure donor
funds for their personal benefits while the polio persons themselves
suffered.

He mentioned section 37 of the ACC Act of 2008, which makes it an offence for any
person who dishonestly appropriates donations for the benefit of the
people of Sierra Leone.

“If ACC does not come to inform you about your roles and responsibilities regarding
the fight against corruption, you will be used as prey by corrupt
individuals and organizations,” Sandi said. He therefore called on
them to be watchful and support the ACC through information-sharing.

Sandy also informed members of the organization that the ACC had the mandate to
investigate Non-Governmental Organizations involved in corrupt
practices. He gave examples of individuals and organizations that had
been investigated and charged to court by the Commission relating to
misappropriation of donor funds meant for people with disability. The
Regional Manager reminded them of their civic responsibility to
report any act of corruption to the Commission and assured them of
the fullest protection but warned against making false report.

Public Education Officer, Al-Hassan Sesay said the ACC was not a witch-hunting
institution but one working towards the realization of a corrupt-free
Sierra Leone. He said the ACC could not fight corruption relating to
people with disability without the support and cooperation of the
disabled themselves, noting that they had a crucial role to play.
Sesay appealed to them to join the fight to make sure their children
and those yet unborn realized the benefits of a corrupt-free Sierra
Leone.

Earlier in his welcome address, Vice Chairman of the Polio Persons Development
Association, Raphael Alusine Kamara expressed appreciation for ACC’s
sensitization drive. He said such would go a long way to minimize
incidents of corruption in the country.

Secretary General of the Association Sulaiman S. Kamara assured the Commission of their
readiness to partner with them and to report corrupt practices.

© Politico
11/09/12