By: Patrick Hinga George, Public Education Officer, ACC
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Eastern Regional Office in Kenema, on 7th May 2026, sensitised staff of the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) and the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) on the 2026 Asset Declaration Process and the integrity of the ongoing West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). The engagement was held at the MBSSE Conference Room in Kenema.
Delivering the keynote presentation on behalf of the ACC, Regional Director, Hawanatu O. Kamara, described the 2026 Asset Declaration Process as a critical anti-corruption mechanism aimed at promoting transparency, accountability, and public trust in governance. She informed participants that the Commission has activated its user-friendly online declaration portal to enable public officers to conveniently declare their assets, income, and liabilities in accordance with the Anti-Corruption Act 2008, as amended in 2019.
Madam Kamara stressed that asset declaration is not merely an administrative exercise, but a legal obligation intended to prevent illicit enrichment, conflict of interest, and abuse of office. She noted that the requirement applies to public officers from Grade Seven (7) and above, including officers below that grade who hold fiduciary responsibilities.
On compliance, the Regional Director warned that failure to declare assets within the stipulated period of 20th April to 20th July 2026, submission of false information, concealment of assets, or deliberate misrepresentation constitute offences under the Anti-Corruption Act, as amended. She urged all affected public officers to comply fully and assured participants of the Commission’s readiness to provide guidance and technical support to users encountering challenges with the online platform. She encouraged public officers to uphold integrity and ethical conduct, noting that corruption prevention begins with personal responsibility.
The ACC’s Senior Public Education Officer (SPEO), Edward N. Blake, spoke on the importance of education to national development, describing it as the foundation of every progressive society. He warned that no country can achieve meaningful growth where the education system is undermined by dishonesty, indiscipline, and examination malpractice.
Referencing the ongoing WASSCE examinations, the SPEO called on teachers, school administrators, parents, pupils, examination officials, security personnel, and community stakeholders to collectively safeguard the credibility of the examinations. He emphasised that examination malpractice weakens academic standards and produces graduates who may lack the competence and integrity needed for national development.
Mr. Blake also referenced the Anti-Corruption (Amendment) Act 2019, which criminalises examination malpractice and prescribes sanctions against persons involved in acts that compromise the credibility of public examinations. He reiterated the ACC’s zero-tolerance stance against examination malpractice and related corrupt practices within the education sector.
Earlier, while welcoming the ACC team, the Deputy Director of MBSSE described the engagement as timely and important in strengthening integrity, accountability, and professionalism within the education sector. He reaffirmed the commitment of both MBSSE and TSC to supporting initiatives that promote transparency in public service and protect the credibility of Sierra Leone’s educational system.
The engagement concluded with an interactive session during which participants sought clarifications on issues relating to asset declaration, examination monitoring, and the legal responsibilities of public officers. The session reaffirmed the collective commitment of stakeholders to promoting accountability, integrity, and professionalism within Sierra Leone’s education sector.
