By: ACC Media Unit
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Kenema Regional Office on Tuesday, 22nd July 2025, held a strategic community stakeholders’ engagement in Simbeck, Kenema City. The meeting was in response to public concerns surrounding the alleged misappropriation of 224 rubber chairs provided under a UNDP-supported youth project for use at the newly constructed Community Barray.
An earlier investigation by the ACC revealed that the chairs had not been misappropriated as alleged. Instead, they were being stored at the Ministry of Youth upon the advice of the donor, due to the absence of secure storage facilities in the community at the time. The Commission attributed the issue to a breakdown in communication among stakeholders.
In light of this, the ACC’s Public Education Unit was advised to hold a community engagement to clarify the matter, raise awareness, and promote accountability in the handling of donor-funded projects.
Delivering the keynote address, Madam Hawanatu O. Kamara, ACC Regional Director in Kenema, reaffirmed the Commission’s zero tolerance for corruption, especially in the misuse or neglect of donor-funded interventions.
She stressed that such projects are treated with the same level of seriousness as other corruption-related matters and warned that failure to implement them effectively could damage the image of Kenema District and undermine donor confidence at the national level.
“This project is not business as usual. It is a pilot phase, and Kenema is one of only two beneficiary districts. Any lapse here will affect opportunities for the entire country,” she stated.
Madam Kamara urged beneficiaries to exercise responsibility and accountability in managing project resources and warned that negligence would not be tolerated. She called on the Ministry of Youth, community stakeholders, and all involved to ensure transparency, diligence, and full compliance in the implementation of the initiative.
Explaining the purpose of the meeting, Madam Abiebatu Abu-Mattia, ACC Prevention Officer, noted that the session was not only to share investigation findings but also to educate, empower, and align community stakeholders with the Commission’s preventive approach to fighting corruption.
“The Commission is not only reactive through investigations; we are also proactive in preventing corruption before it occurs,” she explained.
She emphasized that the engagement aimed to strengthen transparency, build trust between stakeholders and implementers, and prevent future miscommunications that could jeopardize donor-supported projects.
Representing the Ministry of Youth, Mohamed Victor Bockarie explained that the UNDP-funded project is part of a broader initiative to support the rehabilitation and reintegration of vulnerable youth, including those affected by substance abuse, crime, and exploitation.
He noted that 21 youth from Simbeck were selected and trained in entrepreneurship, then supported with various resources, including livestock, two motorbikes, a community barray, and 224 chairs to support income-generating activities.
“This project is not just about empowerment it’s a tool to redirect young people toward productive lives,” he said, adding that its success relies on responsible leadership and community engagement.
In his welcome address, Chief Vandi Bockarie of Simbeck thanked the ACC for its swift and transparent handling of the matter. He confirmed that the community had only received 136 of the 224 chairs so far and that the Ministry of Youth had not yet formally handed over the barray constructed under the project.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Chairlady Rebecca Chiman expressed gratitude to the ACC for its oversight and pledged the community’s commitment to the proper use of all received items. She affirmed the youth’s motivation to make the project a success for both community development and personal growth.
Chairing the event, ACC Public Education Officer Patrick Hinga George emphasized that the engagement was not just a follow-up but a clear demonstration of the Commission’s dedication to ensuring every public and donor-supported initiative is implemented with integrity and full community participation.
He encouraged all present to “reject, resist, and report” corruption, and reminded attendees of the ACC’s toll-free reporting lines: 8515, 077-985-985, and 077-986-986.
The session concluded with renewed commitments from stakeholders to ensure transparency, accountability, and sustainability in the implementation of the project. The meeting also strengthened collaboration between the ACC, local communities, and implementing agencies in pursuit of good governance and responsible public resource management.