Sierra Leone Telegraph: 5 December 2019:
December 9 is celebrated annually as UN International Anti-Corruption Day. This year, Sierra Leone’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) will hold a public symposium on corruption and sustainable development.
There will also be an inter-faith prayer session to reflect on the role and impact of faith and religion in the fight against corruption in Sierra Leone.
International Anti-Corruption Day events are being held to educate the public and policymakers about the collective national responsibility to fight corruption.
Sierra Leone has made significant strides in the past 18 months in its fight against corruption. Public perception of the ACC’s work is at an all-time high. On the country’s score in the ‘Control of Corruption’ Indicator on the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Scorecard, Sierra Leone moved up from 71 percent in 2018 to 79 percent in 2019.
ACC Sierra Leone, in partnership with the Centre for Accountability and the Rule of Law (CARL) and supported by UKAID, will host Interfaith prayers for the fight against corruption on Saturday, December 7, at the park on Independence Avenue, Cotton Tree (Opposite the National Museum).
On Monday, 9 December, 2019, International Anti-Corruption Day, a panel discussion will be held on the theme “United Against Corruption To Ensure Quality Education” at the Miatta Conference Hall in Freetown.
Sierra Leone has embraced human capital development, which is a commitment to improving education, health, and productivity.
A 5-year national development plan, ‘Education for Development’ launched in March 2019, focuses on critical sectors whose improvement will support Sierra Leone’s SDG 2030 and AU 2063 aspirations.
Standing between Sierra Leone’s national and human capital development goals is corruption and a public unaware or unwilling to play their role in the fight to control graft.
“This year alone, the ACC has investigated 5 cases of corruption malpractice in education from among the 160 other cases nationally,” said Mr. Patrick Sandi, Director of Public Education and Outreach.
An estimated 75 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa have paid bribes to escape punishment by police or courts while others pay to get access to essential services.
In 2003 during the passage of the United Nations Convention against Corruption, the assembly chose December 9 as International Anti-Corruption Day to raise awareness about corruption globally and of the role the Convention in the fighting and stopping it.
“Corruption begets more corruption and fosters a corrosive culture of impunity. The United Nations Convention against Corruption is among our primary tools for advancing the fight. Sustainable Development Goal 16 and its targets also offer a template for action.” UN Secretary-General, António Guterres.
The week long celebrations serve as a reminder to all citizens to unite against corruption, so that Sierra Leone can achieve its human capital and national development goals.
It is written that the UKAID is supporting the ACC and CARL to organise the weeklong celebration which I presume includes the open public Symposium.
Is that all you are worried about Sahr Mtturi? What about the improvement this government has made toward corruption. Let us give this government a chance to work instead of your undermining thought.
Hear Mr. Sheik Jah sending his MISGUIDED and IGNORANT words on the issue against me. If you read my comment very well Mr. Jah, you would just ask for mercy and forgiveness. It’s not too late to do that. Are you OK with that Mr. Jah? Let me remind you that you are on a PLATFORM where FORUMITES are very crafty in using the QUEENS’ LANGUAGE. You must be very careful of what you write. There is no training on the job here.
First of all Mr. Jah, my comment has nothing to do with the government. What I was asking the ACC to do is to provide us information on the costs of ORGANISING this PUBLIC SYMPOSIUM. That is a fair question to ask. Also, it has nothing to do with UNDERMINING anyone. Do you agree with me?
Because of your IRRESPONSIBLE, RECKLESS. MISGUIDED and NOVICE attitude towards my comment, I am right now inviting you to the backyard of the SCHOOL’S GYM for the mother of all WAR OF WORDS. By the way, I would like you to explain what the word UNDERMINING means. I hope you reply to my request as soon as possible.
Mr. Shiek Jah somewhere on PLANET EARTH showing in broad daylight his IGNORANCE on my TACTICAL and BAITING comment and struggling to understand the difference between the GOVERNMENT and the ACC. GOD BLESS YOU and see you soon behind the SCHOOL’S GYM BACKYARD.
How much will the ORGANISATION of this PUBLIC SYMPOSIUM cost? THOUSANDS, MILLIONS or BILLIONS of LEONES of taxpayers money?
Is it fair to ask the ACC to publish the cost of organising this PUBLIC SYMPOSIUM? I hope they do. GOD BLESS the organizers of this PUBLIC SYMPOSIUM on CORRUPTION.