By: Alex A. Bah
Paramount Chiefs and Traditional Authorities in Kenema District have expressed strong appreciation for the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) following a high-level public education engagement that provided critical clarity on their legal responsibilities, particularly regarding the receipt and declaration of gifts under the Anti-Corruption Act.
The engagement, held on Wednesday, 4th February 2026, at the Kenema District Council Hall, formed part of the ACC’s Eastern Region outreach programme. It was widely welcomed by traditional leaders as a timely intervention that enhanced their understanding of the law and reinforced their role as custodians of integrity within traditional governance systems.
Speaking on behalf of the Paramount Chiefs, PC Sandy Forwai of Dama Chiefdom described the engagement as both enlightening and empowering. He noted that the clear guidance on which gifts may lawfully be received, and the conditions attached to such gifts, had addressed long-standing uncertainties.
“It is important for us to know exactly what the law says,” he stated, adding that the engagement had helped them understand how to act correctly and responsibly, particularly in matters relating to gifts. PC Forwai further commended the ACC for prioritizing education and dialogue over enforcement alone.
Explaining the central purpose of such engagements, Deputy Commissioner of the ACC, Augustine Foday Ngobie, said the Commission’s approach recognizes the critical role of Paramount Chiefs and the practical challenges they face in their daily interactions with community members.
“We cannot simply enforce the law and assume understanding, especially considering how central your role is. As much as we enforce, we also advocate,” he emphasized.
In his address, the Commissioner of the ACC, Francis Ben Kaifala, assured traditional leaders that the law is not designed to criminalize culture, but rather to protect leadership from conflicts of interest and reputational risks. He clarified that the Anti-Corruption Act does not prohibit the giving or receiving of gifts; instead, it promotes transparency. Gifts valued above Five Thousand Leones (Le5,000), he explained, must be declared, with relationships disclosed, to safeguard public trust.
“Many corruption issues arise from misunderstanding. Corruption is often the symptom; the deeper ailment lies beneath. That is what education and reform are meant to address,” the Commissioner explained.
Representing the Kenema District Council, the Deputy Chairman, Councillor Umaru Daboh, welcomed the engagement and noted that the direct presence of the Commission’s leadership elevated the seriousness of the discussions and underscored the national importance of integrity-driven development. He observed that strengthening governance in Kenema contributes directly to national progress, stressing that local integrity fuels national development.
The engagement concluded with a strong show of commitment from Paramount Chiefs and Traditional Authorities, who reaffirmed their support for the ACC and their readiness to uphold transparency and accountability in their respective chiefdoms.
With Kono District next, the ACC’s Eastern Region engagements continue to build a unified front anchored on clarity, trust, and leadership responsibility reinforcing the role of traditional authorities as frontline defenders of integrity as the nation renews its collective resolve to tackle the scourge of corruption.