The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Kono Regional Office has engaged members of the District Development Coordination Committee (DDCC) in Kono District to strengthen collaboration in preventing corruption and promoting accountability in the implementation of community development projects.
The engagement, held on Tuesday, 30th June 2026, at the Sahr Musa Sessie Gbenda Hall in Koidu City, was prompted by increasing reports and allegations received by the Commission regarding the poor quality, abandonment, and non-completion of development projects undertaken by contractors in the district.
The session brought together Paramount Chiefs, the Chairman of the Kono District Council, Deputy Mayor of the Koidu New Sembehun City Council, Chief Administrators of both Councils, sector heads, development partners, and other members of the District Development Coordination Committee.
Addressing participants, ACC Senior Public Education Officer, Sam P. Gogra, underscored the importance of collective action in preventing corruption, particularly in the implementation of community development projects. He emphasized that corruption undermines development, deprives communities of essential services, and erodes public confidence in governance.
Mr. Gogra highlighted some of the Commission's major achievements under the leadership of Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala, including the recovery of over Le 80 Billion (old currency) from corruption, the establishment of the ACC Headquarters, the operationalization of the Special Anti-Corruption Court, improved conviction rates for corruption offences, and Sierra Leone's eligibility for the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact.
Mr. Gogra also sensitized participants on key offences under the Anti-Corruption Act, 2008, as amended in 2019, including bribery, misappropriation and embezzlement of public and donor funds, abuse of office, procurement irregularities, and failure to declare assets and their correspomding sanctions.
He further informed participants about the operationalization of the Whistleblowers and Witnesses Protection Regulations, 2025, assuring them that the framework provides legal protection, confidentiality, and, where applicable, reward and compensation for individuals who report corruption.
Also speaking, ACC Public Education Officer Patricia J. Sannoh explained the importance of the Online Asset Declaration System and encouraged public officials to comply with their legal obligations. She also informed participants about the various channels for reporting corruption, including the Commission's toll-free lines 515, 077-985-985, and 077-986-986, assuring them of maximum protection under the law.
Responding on behalf of the District Development Coordination Committee, the Deputy Mayor of the Koidu New Sembehun City Council, Sheku Kamara expressed concern over the growing incidence of abandoned and poorly executed projects in the district and pledged the Committee's commitment to working closely with the ACC by providing timely information on suspected corruption and other irregularities in project implementation.
The engagement concluded with a renewed commitment by the DDCC and the ACC to strengthen collaboration in promoting transparency, accountability, and quality service delivery across Kono District
