By: Alex A. Bah, Ag. Public Relations Officer, ACC
The Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Francis Ben Kaifala Esq., has spotlighted Sierra Leone’s unprecedented gains in the fight against graft, at the 16th Commonwealth Regional Conference of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Africa hosted at the Yaounde Conference Centre in Cameroon from 4th – 8th May 2026.
The high-level gathering has brought together Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies, senior government officials, policymakers, governance experts, and development partners from across Commonwealth Africa to deliberate on strengthening continental efforts against corruption through innovation, collaboration, and institutional reforms.
During engagements at the conference, Commissioner Kaifala showcased Sierra Leone’s deliberate, practical, and result-focused anti-corruption reforms under the leadership of His Excellency the President, Brigadier Rtd. Dr. Julius Maada Bio, highlighting the country’s growing reputation as a continental reference point in the fight against corruption.
The Commissioner emphasized Sierra Leone’s progress in strategic enforcement, corruption prevention, systems and process reviews, and the implementation of robust accountability measures, including the asset declaration regime, which continue to attract regional and international recognition among peer anti-corruption institutions.
In one of the sessions, Commissioner Kaifala chaired deliberations involving anti-corruption heads and delegates from various Commonwealth African states, reaffirming Sierra Leone’s huge influence and distinguished leadership within continental anti-corruption discourse.
Held under the theme: “Deploying Artificial Intelligence in the Fight Against Corruption in Commonwealth Africa,” the conference is examining the use of technology-driven and digital transformation mechanisms to enhance transparency, strengthen accountability systems, improve enforcement strategies, and address evolving corruption risks, including technology-enabled crimes.
Earlier, during the opening ceremony, Cameroon’s Minister Delegate at the Presidency in charge of Supreme State Audit, Mbah Acha Rose, described the gathering as an important platform for dialogue and coordinated action towards building societies where corruption has no place. She highlighted the importance of innovation and technology in strengthening governance systems and reducing fraud.
Also speaking during the opening ceremony, the Chairman of Cameroon’s National Anti-Corruption Commission (CONAC), Rev. Dr. Dieudonne Massi Gams, underscored the importance of collaboration among anti-corruption agencies in promoting transparent societies marked by accountability and integrity. He further stressed that while digital transformation presents enormous opportunities for strengthening anti-corruption mechanisms, enforcement efforts must equally be complemented by strong preventive approaches.
The conference is also providing a platform for peer learning, practical engagement, and strengthened regional partnerships aimed at advancing integrity, accountability, innovation, and cooperation in the fight against corruption across Africa.
Sierra Leone’s participation at the conference further demonstrates the ACC’s continued commitment to international best practices, institutional innovation, and global cooperation in combating corruption.
