The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Kono Regional Office, on 24 November 2025, conducted a training exercise for staff of the National Minerals Agency (NMA) in Kono on ethics and integrity in the workplace. The training, which was conducted at the NMA office in Koidu, attracted Senior Mining Compliance Officers, Mining Compliance Officers, Supervisors and administrative staff among others.
The exercise aimed at building the capacity of the staff as part of the Commission’s preventive approach in the fight against corruption in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
In his welcome address, the Regional Manager of the Agency Kai Lebbie, applauded the Commission for the training, noting that the lessons learned would remind them about how to properly execute their operations. He referred to the NMA as a regulatory body, which enforces compliance with mining policies and generates much-needed revenue for government, encouraging his staff to always imbibe the culture of integrity.
In his opening statement, the ACC Acting Regional Director in Kono, Andrew Demby, noted that one of the purposes of the refresher training ties with Section 7 (1) (a) of the Anti-Corruption Act (ACA) of 2008 as amended in 2019. This provision mandates the Commission to “take all steps as may be necessary for the prevention, eradication or suppression of corruption or corrupt practices.” Thus, he assured that the training would serve as a reminder of the need to comply with ethical values to prevent corruption.
During a PowerPoint presentation, Mr Demby detailed offences in the ACA and explained key legal terms such as Public Officer, Public Funds, Public Property, and Advantage. He concisely highlighted corruption offences that are more likely to be committed by mines monitors or compliance officers. These offences, the Director explained, include Corrupt Acquisition of Wealth, Possession of Unexplained Wealth, Offering and Soliciting Advantage, Peddling Influence, Misappropriation of Public Funds, among others.
Mr Demby established the nexus between asset declaration in compliance with Section 119 of the ACA and its benefit in circumstances where investigation into possession of unexplained wealth that may involve a declarant. The NMA staff also benefitted from a thorough tuition on the 2019 Amendment Act covering increase in penalties for specific offences and the power of the commission to institute proceedings in court or enter agreement with a suspect, where the evidence adduced warrants prosecution.
Also, the Amendment Act provides that the Commission may initiate prosecution against a corruption accused person in absentia and the burden of proof assigned to the suspect in matters like Unexplained Wealth and Accepting an Advantage. He referenced the case of Abu Kamara, an NRA staff, who was indicted in absentia as a practical application of section (7) (a). With regard to the application of the offence of peddling influence, the Ag Director alluded to the 2021 indictment and conviction of Daniel Kapri Serry, a compliance officer at NMA for peddling influence, soliciting and accepting an advantage.
ACC Prevention Officer Musa Mansaray, in his address, pointed out the significance and functionality of Integrity Management Committees in minimizing corruption incidences in MDAs, and reminded the trainees about similar engagement he had done with their counterparts in other districts.
Using a PowerPoint, Mr. Mansaray earlier outlined the objectives of the training, which among others included the enhanced ethical awareness among the participants, increased trust and reputation of their entity, promote stronger institutional culture and values and educate mining stakeholders on ACC offences and penalties.
His training content comprised factors that enable corruption, integrity and its importance, and some common unethical practices prevalent in the sector. He emphasized the importance of workplace integrity for effective and efficient service delivery.
A question-and-answer-session on the presentations formed the highpoint of the training.
