The Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), Francis Ben Kaifala Esq., has been honoured at the prestigious African Ovations Awards for his outstanding leadership and unwavering dedication to public service.
The recognition was conferred during a grandeur ceremony held on Saturday, 25th April 2026 at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Aberdeen, Freetown, bringing together distinguished personalities from across Sierra Leone’s public and private sectors.
According to the organisers, the ACC Commissioner has “demonstrated professionalism, exceptional performance, and an innovative approach to policymaking,” adding that his leadership has “transformed initiatives into tangible public benefits, setting a new benchmark for excellence.”
Significantly, this latest recognition marks the 10th consecutive time Commissioner Kaifala has received the Sierra Ovation Award since 2016 making him the only Sierra Leonean, according to the organisers, to have maintained such a level of excellence consistently over a decade.
Reacting to the honour, Commissioner Kaifala described the milestone as both humbling and inspiring.
“When this consistent, the wins begin to pile up in extraordinary ways. Last night, for the 10th consecutive time since 2016, I received the Sierra Ovation Award, remaining the only Sierra Leonean to have sustained this level of excellence for a decade,” he stated, adding that he remains “humbled, even as the recognitions continue,” and attributing the achievement to divine guidance, noting that “God is involved.”
The award was presented by the Managing Director of Access Bank Sierra Leone, Ganiyu Sanni, who commended the Commissioner’s commitment to integrity, institutional reform, and public accountability.
The African Ovations Awards recognises distinguished individuals and institutions across the continent who have made significant contributions in governance, leadership, and societal development. Commissioner Kaifala’s recognition further reinforces Sierra Leone’s growing reputation for progressive anti-corruption reforms under his stewardship.
In addition to the Commissioner, other officials of the Anti-Corruption Commission were also recognised for their contributions. These include the Deputy Commissioner, Augustine Ngobie; the Coordinator of Operations, Patrick Sandi; and the Deputy Director of Administration in charge of Procurement, James Kargbo.
Their recognition underscores the collective efforts of the Commission in advancing transparency, strengthening institutional accountability, and promoting ethical governance across Sierra Leone.
The honours come at a time when the ACC continues to intensify its prevention, enforcement, and public education strategies, positioning itself as a leading anti-corruption institution within the African region.
