By Ibrahim S. Bangura
Sierra Leone – December 9, 2025: The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), in partnership with Restitution Impact S.L., has celebrated its Silver Jubilee alongside International Anti-Corruption Day at the Bintumani International Conference Centre in Aberdeen, Freetown.
The event, held under the theme “ACC @ 25: Transforming Sierra Leone on the Pillars of Integrity and Accountability,” marked a significant milestone in the country’s fight against corruption and provided a platform to strengthen accountability and good governance.
Delivering the keynote speech, ACC Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala underscored the urgent need to combat corruption, stressing its direct impact on education, healthcare, and infrastructure.
“Corruption is not merely a crime; it is an insidious force that erodes the foundations of our society,” Kaifala stated.
He emphasized sustained institutional commitment and warned of the long-term risks corruption poses to national progress. Referencing a landmark case in Tanzania, he highlighted the importance of understanding the consequences of corrupt practices to build a culture of accountability.
The summit featured a strategic panel discussion titled “The Future of the Anti-Corruption Commission: Innovation, Partnership, and Building Resilient Systems.” Panelists stressed the ACC’s role in sustaining public trust and the need for consistent communication on corrective actions against corruption.
Minister of Gender, Dr. Isata Mahoi, called for stronger accountability frameworks and increased gender representation in leadership. Other participants emphasized civic education and capacity building as proactive tools to prevent corruption, noting that every citizen has a role to play as an agent of change.
During the Anti-Corruption Strategy Forum, participants identified poverty, low salaries, poor working conditions, insecurity, greed, and ignorance as major drivers of corruption in Sierra Leone. They highlighted critical sectors such as the police, government institutions, and healthcare facilities as areas requiring urgent reform.
Representatives including Ibrahim Bankapoma Kargbo of the Sierra Leone Teachers Union and activist Fudia Kamara attributed corruption to weak integrity systems and low remuneration. They recommended improved salary structures and better working conditions for civil servants as deterrents.
However, teenage participant Jamestina Koroma offered a contrasting view, arguing that low salaries should not justify corruption. She noted that employees accept their terms of employment knowingly and pointed out that civilians also contribute to bribery by offering inducements to police officers.
The summit concluded with an Integrity and Intentions session, focusing on values such as integrity, purpose, and contentment. Participants emphasized personal accountability while acknowledging the need for collective community improvement.
As the ACC marks 25 years of service, the celebration highlighted both progress made and challenges ahead. The event reaffirmed the importance of collective action involving government institutions, civil society organizations, and citizens in building a transparent and accountable Sierra Leone.