By: Abdulai Saccoh
Senior Public Education Officer
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) continues to reach out to public sector institutions as part of its public education drive to set up corruption safeguards to tackle incidences of corruption. The Public Education and Outreach Unit of the Commission’s Southern Region office in Bo on Tuesday, 29th July 2025 conveyed corruption safeguards messages to employees of the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) at the Agency’s conference room, 17 Mambu Street in Bo.
Speaking at the meeting, ACC’s Southern Regional Director Momodu Sittar highlighted the important role of NDMA in the development architecture of Sierra Leone. Mr Sittar said that despite the huge number of disasters reported across the country, yet some individuals continue to destroy the environment unchecked due to corruption.
He further told the NDMA staff that any attempts to compromise their integrity in the discharge of their duty will result in loss of life and property. Mr. Sittar affirmed ACC's commitment to working with them to build and strengthen an effective corruption prevention system.
The Director also drew their attention to the amendments that have been made to some sections of the Anti-Corruption Act 2008 in 2019, noting that the amendment provides for stiffer fines and sentences, and restitution of funds misappropriated. He advised the NDMA staff to perform their duties within the remit of the law and stay clear of any illegal acts that will trigger ACC investigation.
In his statement, ACC’s Senior Public Education Officer Abdulai Saccoh acknowledged the challenges the NDMA staff are confronted with in carrying out their mandate and appealed to them to remain unwavering in their delivery of public service. Mr Saccoh said that corruption of any form must not be tolerated as a way of life because it can lead to the dysfunctionality of state institutions.
He said that amongst the thorny issues that have hampered the effective response to disasters in the country are the lack of transparency and integrity in the handling of relief resources. He said the misuse of humanitarian aid, diversion of relief funds intended for shelter, food, or medical supplies, implementation of substandard structures and inadequate disaster preparedness, inflating the number of workshop participants and survivors, are part of the corruption issues associated with disaster response. These, he said, can significantly worsen the impact of disaster by weakening disaster preparedness, hindering relief efforts, increasing fatalities, breakdown of essential services and causing greater human suffering.
Public Education Officer of ACC Mohamed A. Kabba said the Commission deemed it necessary to interact with NDMA staff to convey anti-corruption messages due to the crucial responsibilities of the Agency in preventing and reducing disasters in the country. Mr. Kabba encouraged them to take pride in doing the correct thing and develop the courage to expose the corrupt.
Earlier in the meeting, NDMA’s Senior Disaster Officer, Maada M. Koroma, admitted that despite the contending environmental issues the institution is faced with, it is committed to upholding its core functions of preparing, coordinating, monitoring, evaluating and updating disaster management plans, as well as providing first-line responses in the event of disasters and establishing early warning systems. He said the Agency also investigates reports and analyze the nature of hazards, vulnerability, and risk situations in particular areas. He called on his colleagues to support the fight against corruption by making sure that they continue to diligently serve the public.
