By: Martina George, Public Education Officer-ACC
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has called on private sector suppliers to play a more active role in promoting transparency, accountability, and ethical business practices, emphasizing that the fight against corruption requires the collective commitment of both public and private institutions.
This call was made by Samuel Muti Marah Esq., Deputy Director of Prevention who represented the ACC during a keynote presentation at the Africa Global Logistics (AGL) Supplier Compliance Workshop held on Friday, 17th July 2026, at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown, in commemoration of Africa Anti-Corruption Day 2026.
The workshop, themed "Scaling Up the Promotion of Integrity and Anti-Corruption Actions Across Africa – Supplying with Integrity," brought together AGL management, suppliers, compliance professionals, and other stakeholders to strengthen ethical standards across the company's supply chain.
Delivering a keynote presentation on "Supply Integrity, Ethics, Legal Exposure and Practical Controls," Marah underscored the importance of integrity as the cornerstone of sustainable business and national development. He noted that corruption undermines investor confidence, weakens public trust, and hampers economic growth, making it imperative for businesses to adopt robust compliance and anti-corruption measures.
He encouraged suppliers to adhere strictly to ethical procurement practices, reject bribery and conflicts of interest, and establish internal mechanisms that promote accountability, transparency, and compliance. Marah also highlighted key red flags that suppliers should be mindful of and outlined practical mechanisms for detecting and preventing corrupt practices within their operations.
Marah commended AGL for organizing the compliance workshop in observance of Africa Anti-Corruption Day, describing the initiative as a demonstration of corporate leadership and a significant contribution to promoting integrity and compliance within the private sector.
The presentation formed part of the workshop's broader agenda, which included sessions on AGL's Core Compliance Pillars, the company's Code of Conduct, due diligence procedures, contractual clauses, and reporting mechanisms. The programme was designed to equip suppliers with practical knowledge on meeting compliance expectations while strengthening ethical business relationships.
Participants welcomed the ACC's presentation, describing it as timely, insightful, and highly relevant. They reaffirmed their commitment to conducting business with integrity in compliance with Sierra Leone's anti-corruption laws and AGL's compliance standards.
