The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Regional Office in Kono on 19th June 2026 conducted a community outreach engagement in Kangama Town, Gorama Kono Chiefdom, to educate residents on the dangers of corruption and its adverse impact on service delivery, particularly in rural and vulnerable communities.Held at the Court Barray, the engagement brought together community stakeholders, medical personnel, school authorities, youths, pupils, local court officials, women leaders, security personnel, and bike riders. The session forms part of the Commission's ongoing efforts to deepen public awareness, strengthen citizen participation, and encourage the reporting of corruption.
Speaking at the event, Senior Public Education Officer,Sam P. Gogra, said the engagement was intended to empower citizens with knowledge on corruption issues and encourage them to reject, resist, and report all forms of corruption. Mr. Gogra described corruption as a societal ill with devastating consequences, particularly for poor and marginalized communities, hence he emphasized that community support remains critical to the success of the anti-corruption fight.He noted that similar engagements across Kono District have contributed to increased reporting of corruption cases to the ACC Regional Office in Koidu City.
He further highlighted concerns over reported malpractice by some local court officials, including the imposition of excessive fines, illegal charges, solicitation and acceptance of bribes, and adjudicating matters outside their jurisdiction for personal gain. He warned that any court official found culpable of corruption offences would face the full force of the law.
In her presentation, ACC Public Education Officer Patricia J. Sannah observed that many rural communities continue to suffer from poverty because resources intended for development and essential services are often misappropriated, unaccounted for, or embezzled.She outlined common corruption practices in schools, health facilities, and the security sector, including payments for assignments and report cards, abuse of school fee subsidies, inflation of school charges, abuse of the Free Health Care Programme, and demands for bribes before bail is granted.
Ms. Sannah stressed that such acts constitute corruption offences punishable by law and assured participants of the Commission's unwavering commitment to holding perpetrators accountable through investigation and prosecution.She encouraged residents to report corruption through the ACC Kono Regional Office or the Commission's toll-free lines: 077-985985 and 077-986986.
Responding on behalf of the community, Paramount Chief S.C.N. Kono Bundeh expressed appreciation to the ACC for the awareness campaign and pledged stronger collaboration with the Commission.He assured the ACC that his people would actively support efforts to expose and report corruption, particularly in the implementation of community development projects, to promote transparency and accountability within the chiefdom.
