By: Senior Public Education Officer
As part of its ongoing public education and anti-corruption outreach, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has extended its corruption prevention campaign to the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) in Bo. The engagement, held on Tuesday, 29th July 2025 at the NDMA’s conference room, 17 Mambu Street, aimed to sensitize staff on the importance of integrity and transparency in disaster response and management.
Delivering the keynote address, ACC Southern Regional Director, Momodu Sittar, underscored the critical role of the NDMA in Sierra Leone’s development framework. He noted that despite the increasing frequency of natural disasters across the country, environmental degradation continues largely unchecked often as a result of corrupt practices.
Mr. Sittar warned that any attempt to compromise professional integrity in the execution of public duties could lead to loss of life and property*. He reiterated the ACC’s commitment to working collaboratively with the NDMA to strengthen institutional systems that prevent corruption.
He also highlighted the 2019 amendments to the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008, emphasizing that the revised law now imposes harsher penalties and mandates restitution of misappropriated funds. He urged NDMA staff to carry out their responsibilities in compliance with the law and to avoid any actions that could trigger an ACC investigation.
Also speaking at the event, Senior Public Education Officer Abdulai Saccoh acknowledged the operational challenges faced by the NDMA but urged staff to remain steadfast and ethical in the delivery of public services. Mr. Saccoh stressed that corruption in any form should never be normalized, as it undermines institutional effectiveness and public trust.
He pointed out several corruption-related issues that have historically weakened disaster response efforts in Sierra Leone, including misuse of humanitarian aid, diversion of relief funds, inflated workshop participant lists, construction of substandard structures and poor disaster preparedness and resource allocation.
“These malpractices increase the vulnerability of affected populations and worsen the human impact of disasters,” he warned.
In his remarks, Public Education Officer Mohamed A. Kabba emphasized the importance of the NDMA’s role in disaster prevention and response. He encouraged staff to take pride in ethical behavior and to speak out against corruption wherever it occurs.
Earlier in the session, Senior Disaster Officer Maada M. Koroma of the NDMA acknowledged the environmental and institutional challenges facing the agency but affirmed their commitment to their mandate. He outlined the agency’s core responsibilities, including early warning systems, first-line response coordination, risk analysis, and updating national disaster plans. He encouraged his colleagues to support the ACC’s mission by maintaining professionalism and serving the public with diligence.
The session concluded with a renewed call for inter-agency collaboration and personal accountability to ensure that public resources are protected and disaster responses remain transparent and effective.