By: ACC Communication Unit
The Public Education and Outreach Unit of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Southern Region office has held a community sensitisation meeting on general corruption issues affecting community development with residents and traditional authorities of Koribondo Town, Njaima Bongor Chiefdom, Bo District. The event took place at the Native Court Barray, Koribondo Town, on Thursday 13th March 2025.
In his statement, ACC’s Southern Regional Manager, Momodu Sittar, admonished the residents of Koribondo to embrace the fight against corruption, because if they choose to turn a blind eye to such practices, service delivery will be seriously undermined and consequently turn out to be in shambles.
Mr Sittar guaranteed them of ACC’s willingness to hold the corrupt accountable for the untold suffering meted on citizens and society as a result of their corrupt acts. He explained some of the offences in the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008 as amended in 2019. He stated that, upon conviction, the penalty for each offence attracts a fine of not less than fifty thousand (new) Leones or jail term of not less than five years or face such both fine and prison term.
Speaking at the meeting, ACC Senior Public Education Officer, Abdulai Saccoh, said that “peace and development will not thrive in any community where corruption is endemic. He underscored the essence of taking social services to rural communities, but said it seems certain public sector institutions are being used as extortion points.
Mr. Saccoh catalogued a number of corrupt practices that people may have been suffering from in silence due to ignorance and inaction. He encouraged the people of Koriboondo and its environs not to settle for less by demanding for more accountability from duty-bearers. He called on all to attach more commitment to the fight against corruption in a bid to defeat the scourge.
While elaborating on the purpose of the meeting earlier, ACC’s Public Education Officer, Mohamed A. Kabba, noted that such meetings usually serve as a vital platform for the ACC to directly engage with community members, addressing the specific challenges posed by corruption within rural communities.
Mr. Kabba added that the engagement is critical to foster sustainable community development and to educate the public about anti-corruption laws. He encouraged them to report corrupt practices to the Commission as it works to reduce corruption and ensures that resources are judiciously utilised for community development.
The Paramount Chief, Njaima Bongor Chiefdom, Pa Foday Bassie Karteh called on his people to take heed to ACC’s anti-corruption messages. He encouraged them to be more vigilant and be overseers of all community-driven development projects for the good of all. He assured the Commission of their willingness to speak and stand against corruption.
Meanwhile, the ACC team also shared integrity messages with pupils and teachers of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Secondary and the Njaima Bongor Secondary Schools, cautioning them to refrain from participating in all forms of academic malpractices as their negative consequences are grave and damaging.
The ACC Team shared with them the various reporting channels and implored them to increase their vigilance for improved service delivery, better infrastructure, and enhanced quality of life for residents.
A question-and-answer session and the presentation of information, education and communication materials to the Paramount Chief climaxed the event.
