July 19, 2021
By Aruna Kamara
Beneficiaries of the Social Safety Net (SSN) program have in the sensitization meetings in Mattru, Jong Chiefdom, Bonthe District and Gondama, Tikonko Chiefdom, Bo District commended the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) for its role in the program that ensured that the direct cash transfer process is devoid of corrupt practices.
These sentiments were expressed by Jeneba Cole, Hawa Tarawally, Kadara Wahab and Foday Samah, on Wednesday14th and Thursday, 15th July, 2021, at the community centres in Mattru and Gondama.
The ACC met with them to sensitize on the purpose, their role as beneficiaries and that of the ACC in the SSN program.
Jeneba Cole, a beneficiary of 57 years said, with the SSN funds, she took her sick mother to the Hospital, where she regained her health, noting also that, she used the money to educate her children and that currently she is a proud person with resources to take care of her needs; thanks to the World Bank, the National Commission for Social action (NaCSA) and the ACC.
In his presentation to the beneficiaries, Director of Public Education and Outreach, ACC Patrick Sandi also thanked them for their recognition of the good work of the ACC.
He admonished them to remain focused and utilize the funds in the best way expected. He further stated that the Commission is only accountable to the people of Sierra Leone, which is why, the Head of ACC, Francis Ben Kaifala Esq., recently embarked on Town Hall meetings across the country, interacting with people-from Bonthe, Sherbro Island to Kono, Kambia to Mongor Bendugu (Falaba), Moyamba to Magburaka and Kamakwie to Koindu explaining to them the work of the ACC, the gains made so far and challenges faced, and asked for feedback from his audience.
Director Sandi catalogued the many interventions the Commission has made in ensuring that beneficiaries receive the full amount of money due them. He updated his audiences on the recovery of stolen funds in the tune of over Thirty (30) Billion Leones from the corrupt, a hotel in Koidu City-now a facility used by Kono DiCOVERC, and the tremendous progress made in Local and International Corruption Perception Indexes.
In her interaction with the beneficiaries, Christiana F. Jusu, Public Education Officer ACC, encouraged them to be vigilant in their communities. She said though the ACC was on sensitization regarding the SSN/GRM program,
It will also discuss the broader issues relating to the fight against corruption in the country. Madam Jusu underscored that, corruption and poverty are two bed-fellows; saying where there is extreme poverty, corruption is the cause, and also where there is endemic corruption, poverty is rife.
She therefore called on the beneficiaries who are receiving the cash support because of their vulnerable and very poor state to take the fight against corruption very seriously, as a successful fight against corruption will transform their lives and circumstances.
Sinatu Bangura, National Youth Service Corps, cum Public Education Officer, dilated on ACC’s role in the SSN/GRM program, which she said, is to increase public awareness, enlighten beneficiaries on the benefits and impact of the program on the people,.
She said it is a means of empowering them to address challenges in the implementation process. Madam Bangura implored her listeners to report all suspected incidences of corruption and/or unsatisfactory conduct to the ACC, through the Community and District Monitors, the Regional Office in Bo or call 515 which is Toll Free.