By: Bernard Abass Kargbo, Public Education Officer, ACC
Introduction
It is no magic that if the fight against Corruption in any country is to succeed, the general citizenry should be brought on board in the fight. As the land space of countries is vast, the people tasked with fighting this menace in every country are limited in terms of staff members and available resources. It is, therefore, prudent to empower every citizen to serve as a whistleblower or informant for their country's effort to combat graft.
In Sierra Leone, fighting corruption is more than simply a government responsibility; it is a public duty. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), established in 2000, serves as the country's impartial watchdog, tasked with investigating, prosecuting, and preventing corrupt practices while ensuring that citizens can expose corruption without fear of retaliation from corrupt individuals or institutions.
Although a civic duty, most people in Sierra Leone still find it difficult to exercise, as they are unaware of the legal framework that protects every Sierra Leonean who reports instances of corruption or suspected corruption from persecution or harassment.
This article aims to inform individuals who wish to report corrupt activities in the future but are still hesitant due to concerns about the potential consequences or their level of protection after exercising this civic duty.
Measures to Protect Whistleblowers and Informants
Sierra Leone's legislative structure provides statutory protection for whistleblowers and informants. Section 81 the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008 as amended in 2019 guarantees protection of informers, shielding whistleblowers from retaliation, and Section 82 extends protection to witnesses, ensuring their safety during investigations and trials, while also rewarding whistleblowers, who may receive financial incentives for valid reports, reaffirming the importance of civic engagement.
Furthermore, Section 50 of the Right to Access Information Act 2013 offers whistleblower protection, ensuring that individuals who reveal information exposing wrongdoing are not penalized. Section 51 of the same Act states that no legal action “shall be taken against anyone who acts in good faith under the Act”. These measures are critical to promote transparency and safeguard individuals who help expose corruption or malfeasance.
Aside from the aforementioned legal instruments available, Sierra Leone is a signatory to some international treaties that emphasize the importance of protecting whistleblowers and informants, such as the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUCPCC), both of which advocate whistleblower protection.
All the above are measures to protect and assure citizens of their safety before and after they have exposed corruption related to activities happening around them. There is no doubt that whistleblowers and informants are essential allies in the fight against corruption.
Channels Available to Anonymously Report Corruption
The ACC has built a number of tools to make reporting more accessible and secure, including through the toll-free lines of 8515, 077-985985, or 077-986986 through which citizens can anonymously report to the ACC throughout the working hours of 8:30 a.m-4:45pm Monday to Thursday, and Fridays 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. There is also an online reporting option on the ACC's official website, and users can make reports anonymously. All of the above are intended to make reporting corruption easier and highly confidential.
To encourage public reporting, the ACC has been conducting frequent sensitization exercises in schools, markets, and institutions over the years.
The ACC’s Report Center
The Commission’s Report Center Unit receives complaints via phone, email, and in-person visits, and coordinates with the various operational departments of the Commission, especially the Intelligence and Investigations Department, to assess and act on the reports received. Cases that fall under the purview of the Commission are referred to the appropriate department. Those that fall outside our mandate, are referred to the appropriate public institution. The Report Center Unit also follows up to the various departments of the Commission and government agencies to which cases are referred to know the action taken.
ConclusionSierra Leone's ACC has made laudable efforts to create a secure and responsive environment for reporting corruption. The country is empowering its citizens to speak up by establishing strong legislative frameworks, open reporting channels, and protective procedures. As global best practices evolve, Sierra Leone refines its processes, demonstrating that integrity is more than a policy; it is a shared national ideal.
As I conclude this piece, my final thoughts are that Sierra Leoneans have the legal right and protection to report corruption, and the ACC has made efforts to simplify the reporting procedure. It is for this reason the Commission continues to educate citizens about these reporting channels and the protections accorded them.
