By: Patrick Hinga George
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Eastern Regional Office, engaged staff and students of the School of Midwifery in Kenema on Wednesday, 19th February, 2025.
Peter Baio Kamara, the ACC Eastern Regional Manager, began his speech with a thought-provoking quotation from the Bible, specifically from the book of Exodus 1:15-17, which speaks to the role of midwives and their ethical obligations.
Mr. Kamara further explained that in the biblical context, midwives were expected to be not only caregivers, but also individuals who feared God and operated with integrity, even in the face of unethical authority. He used this passage to underline the moral responsibilities of midwives in modern society, stressing that ethical behavior, rooted in respect for human life and integrity, should always guide their work, regardless of external pressures.
The ACC Manager shifted the discussion to the legal framework surrounding corruption. He explained key corruption offences in the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008, as amended in 2019, and emphasized how such offences can undermine the healthcare system. He elaborated on several major corruption-related crimes, including: Abuse of Office, Abuse of Position, Corrupt Acquisition of Wealth, Possession of Unexplained Wealth, Offering, Soliciting, or Accepting an Advantage, and Misappropriation of Public Funds, among others.
Edward Nathaniel Blake, ACC’s Senior Public Education Officer, opened the engagement by explaining the purpose and context behind the Commission’s establishment in 2000. He noted that the creation of the ACC was rooted in the government’s commitment to addressing the growing concerns of corruption across all sectors of Sierra Leone.
Mr Blake further stated that the said concerns led to Sierra Leone’s 11 years ruthless civil war that claimed the lives of thousands of our compatriots, including health workers. He emphasized the importance of a corruption-free environment and the significant role that healthcare professionals, such as midwives, play in this effort.
Mr. Blake gave the history of the ACC’s operations, highlighting its mission to promote transparency, integrity, and accountability within public institutions. He noted that combating corruption is not only a legal responsibility, but also a moral duty that every citizen, especially professionals like midwives, should take seriously.
ACC’s Public Education Officer, Patrick Hinga George, as chairman of the engagement, said the visit was focused on discussing corruption prevention, ethical conduct, and the role of integrity within the health sector. He further stated that the gathering aimed to raise awareness among midwifery staff and students about corruption-related risks and the importance of maintaining high moral standards in their professional practices.
He reiterated the importance of continuous collaboration between the ACC and the health sector, and emphasized that a corruption-free healthcare environment was essential for improving the quality of care and service delivery. Mr George encouraged the participants to remain vigilant, uphold ethical conduct, and actively contribute to the fight against corruption in all forms, but especially by: Rejecting, Resisting and Reporting through the following toll freelines: 077 985 985 or 077 986 986 and 8515 (Africell).
Ann-Marie Rhoda, Principal of the School of Midwifery in Kenema, said that the engagement was marked by a strong sense of commitment from the midwifery students and staff, and expressed their renewed dedication to ethical practice and integrity in their roles. She further assured the Commission that the institution would always create the platform to continue fostering dialogue between the ACC and health professionals, in order to ensure that corruption prevention and ethical behavior remained at the forefront of their training and practice.