Like most academics, I followed Sierra Leone’s elections closely. I paid attention to the two leading political parties' campaign rallies, communication strategies, and cultural slogans. For the present democratic dispensation – the Sierra Leone Peoples Party – I attended a few of their gatherings in the capital city. On every podium, President Bio consistently based his Government's accomplishments on three major policy areas: human capital development, regaining international respect, and the progress made in the war on corruption. The former military brigadier made a case for his re-election bid by highlighting pointers, including these three.
In scenarios where the President went on banter rant against his rivals, I observed that he was hyped mainly by an entourage around the stage area. This entourage was dominated by people from the President’s diplomatic, communications, and educational infrastructure. Their work was synonymous with what the President was using as pointers. The one visible absentee was the young, dynamic leader of the Anti-Corruption Commission, Francis Ben Kaifala.
Barrister Francis Ben Kaifala showed tremendous professionalism and integrity during the election period. I realized the Anti-Corruption Commissioner distanced himself from the political platforms of the President. Before the voting day, the last public interaction between the two gentlemen was at the opening ceremony of the Integrity House. The cameras that graced the program captured the precious moments of mutual respect. At the ritual of the Integrity House, I read the statement made by the charismatic lawyer and human rights activist; I was surprised he spoke public policy instead of politics. He could have simply used that period to endorse the President who allowed him to serve Sierra Leone.
Furthermore, the Anti-Corruption Commissioner has some of the largest social media following in Sierra Leone. He had the platform to rally his followers and make an endorsement. Instead, he took the high road. He injected English humor into some of his posts on the voting. But there was nothing politically explicit about them. Within the social media groups of the anti-graft agency, Barrister Kaifala discouraged his staff from sharing sensitive political content. Over the years, I have seen key figures of the Anti-Corruption Commission publicly endorse and rally behind politicians. This undermined the credibility of the Commission during those days.
The personality of this Commissioner was felt throughout the veins of the Commission. The records are there to back this claim: the increase in staff numbers, the global indexes, the recoveries, the policy engagements, the public engagements, the international exposure trips, the indictments, and of late, the newly constructed Integrity House. These are indicators of success.
I want to pause, pray and congratulate Francis Ben Kaifala for his re-appointment as Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission of Sierra Leone. I am confident he will build on the gains from his first term. The last video I saw of him was when he went to congratulate President Bio on his re-election win at President’s Lodge. His conduct during this period might be the blueprint for public servants in positions that warrant some demonstration of political neutrality.
