ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION (ACC) AND THE CSO NATIONAL CONSORTIUM
ON PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY SIGNED SYMBOLIC INTEGRITY COMMITMENT MoU IN FIGHTING SCOURGE OF CORRUPTION IN THE COUNTRY
Wednesday 11th December 2024
In a bid to address the abysmal corruption in all sectors, the CSO National Consortium on Public Accountability (NCPA) and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) signed a memorable Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the ACC Conference Room.
Significantly, it was a symbolic commitment towards the fight for integrity, sense of nationalism/patriotism and trust between the ACC and the CSO National Consortium on Public Accountability in order to champion the course for the fight against corruption in all sectors. It was on this backdrop that NCPA aligned its Terms of Reference (TOR) to serve as auxiliary force in complementing the efforts of the Anti-corruption Commission. Taking into consideration the fight against corruption in the country is an eyesore of perennial societal norms.
The Chairman of the occasion, who doubles as the Director, Public Education and Outreach ACC, Mr Patrick Sandi, expressed elation and deep satisfaction in the move made by the Consortium to partner with the ACC in the fight against perennial corruption menace. Mr. Sandi earlier emphasized that it was a positive sign of nationalism and patriotism shown by CSOs Consortium on Public Accountability to redeem the country from corrupt practices.
Mr. Sandi expressed pleasure in working closely with the Consortium members across the country as NCPA has shown strong sense of determination against corruption. He encouraged the NCPA to be courageous, vigilant and endeavors to support the Commission in order to unearth more evidence of rotten fishes across the country.
At the ACC Conference Room, statements by the Deputy Commissioner, Mr. Augustine Foday Ngobie emphasized the need for effective and efficient collaboration, trust and confidence in the ACC. The Deputy Commissioner further stressed that his boss Ben Kaifala- Commissioner ACC is committed to the signing of this MOU as it is an integral part of development. The Deputy maintained that the ACC as an Institution has enormous trust and confidence in the CSO National Consortium on Public Accountability. Mr Ngobie affirmed that the ACC has no iota of regret in working with NCPA for the progress of Sierra Leone.
Making a statement on behalf of NCPA, the Executive Secretary Ahmed M. Yillah said the National Consortium on Public Accountability is a group of Civil Society Organizations working with International and Local Actors in order to foster issues of respect for constitutional and human rights, transparency, accountability and social cohesion. Mr. Yillah, reiterated that the NCPA role is distinct and pertinent in reaching hard to reach communities in cascading messages of national interest especially on the negative impacts of corruption on development and the image of Sierra Leone.
Cognizance of this, Executive Secretary of NCPA stressed the need to work tirelessly to uncover and unearth series of corrupt practices in different institutions and that we are committed to progressing at all levels. He concluded that this signing of MoU is a positive move by the leadership of ACC.
On the other hand, the citation of the partnership agreement was explicitly done by Amie Massaquoi, Information Officer ACC. Thus so far, both parties agreed to undertake activities collectively agreed geared towards reducing if not to eradicate corruption violence in the country. Madam Amie Masaquoi reminded the two parties to be readily determined to contribute to the achievement of their common goal of promoting transparency, accountability and responsibility in public service. She stressed that, the MoU outlines key areas of collaboration, including capacitybuilding workshops, public awareness campaigns, strengthening the pillars of integrity, and whistleblowing mechanisms.
The symbolic ceremony of the great occasion of the appending of signatures to the MoU by the Deputy Commissioner, Augustine Foday Ngobie, for the ACC and the Executive Secretary NCPA Ahmed M. Yillah, climaxed the ceremony.
©National Consortium on Public Accountability Communications Unit