In furtherance of its mandate, the Anti-Corruption Commission hosted its second National Anti-Corruption Dialogue Forum at the Hill Valley Hotel in Freetown , from Tuesday 1st to Thursday 3rd May 2012. The topic for the forum was “Collective Action in the Fight Against Corruption.”

The Dialogue Forum attracted senior public servants, parliamentarians, civil society groups, the media and representatives from political parties, traditional leaders from the four regions of the country. Agencies involved in the anti-corruption crusade, international actors supporting Sierra Leone ’s development agenda for change as well as participants from various institutions formed part of the forum.

The objective of the forum however, was to provide a platform for discussing wide range of ideas on the following:

• To recognize the benefits of a multiplicity of players in the fight against corruption

• To assess the role and participation of civil society organizations in the fight against corruption in Sierra Leone

• To build an alliance and act collectively with the private sector in confronting corporate corruption

• To build state capacity, integrity and trust in the government

• To strengthen the reporting channels of the ACC Sierra Leone

After the three day deliberations on the theme and sub themes that emanated from the forum, the participants resolved as follows:

 RECOMMENDATIONS TO ACC:

1. That the ACC and other bodies where feasible, implements outstanding recommendations of the 2010 Dialogue Forum that were not implemented.

2. That the ACC, Ministry of Education Science and Technology and other partners ensure that corruption and anti corruption be included in the curriculum of schools and colleges.

3. That the ACC strengthens its oversight role in the award and execution of contracts, the registration of private companies, and avoid micro managing other institutions in the fight against corruption.

4. That the ACC works with private institutions and informal sectors to put in place anti corruption measures to prevent corrupt practices within their respective institutions, especially those in the extractive industries.

5. That the ACC puts in place laws, policies, and strategies to protect and motivate (through provision of incentives) whistle blowers, informants and witnesses and their families.

6. That the ACC puts in place a proper system for effective hotline management, with uniform numbers for all mobile phone networks, and ensure that hotline numbers are short and easy to memorize.

7. That the ACC forms partnership with the Paramount Chiefs and Chiefdom Councils by signing an MOU with them on issues of corruption and corrupt practices.

RECOMMENDATIONS TO GOVERNMENT:

8. That government strengthens its regulatory role that will enable private sector institutions conduct themselves accordingly in order to minimize the incidence of corrupt practices.

9. That respective MDAs take steps to implement those recommendations of the 2010 Dialogue Forum that have not been achieved.

10. That Heads of MDAs be fully responsible for outcomes of MDA Reviews for effective implementation.

OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS:

11. That state institutions be sincere and effective in probing individuals (security background check, educational background checks etc.) during official appointments to ensure that fit and proper persons are employed.

12. That CSOs own up to civic responsibilities; demonstrate willingness in aiding the ACC in the fight against corruption through awareness raising campaigns, advocacy, research, reporting and information gathering and mainstream anti corruption programmes into their activities.

13. That the judiciary protect and safeguard their independence from influence in the dispensation of justice.

14. That the judiciary establish special courts with a mandate to exclusively deal with ACC cases.

15. That MDAs, CSOs and trade unions, institute internal measures to control all forms of bribery.

______________________________________

Done in Freetown Sierra Leone , this 3rd day of May, in the year Two thousand and twelve

 SIGNATORIES: 
                               
Hon. Ibrahim Bundu                                               Dr. Roger Koranteng
Chair, Transparency & Accountability                      Governance Adviser, 
                                                                       Commonwealth Secretariat

Mr. Joseph F. Kamara                     Haja Mariama Fofana                                                                              
Commissioner, ACC                               Former President 50/50 Group Sierra Leone                                  
 
Wurie Barrie
Lead Coordinator
Global Youth ACC Sierra Leone