ACC Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala Changes Position on Public Asset Declarations

Francis Ben Kaifala, head of Sierra Leone’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), has revealed a surprising change of heart on the issue of public asset declarations for government officials.

In his previous role as a civil society advocate, Kaifala was part of a consortium pushing for the public release of asset declarations, aiming for increased transparency and accountability in governance. However, after months in office, his perspective shifted, as revealed in a recent opinion article he authored on the Global Anti-Corruption Blog.

The ACC Boss stated, “While I previously advocated for public disclosure, my new role has prompted a reassessment of the practicalities and potential risks involved. We must consider the broader implications for governance and societal dynamics.”

Kaifala cited various reasons for his altered viewpoint. Firstly, he emphasized the political landscape, noting that pushing for public disclosure legislation in Parliament would be met with significant resistance and might impede other critical reforms.

Additionally, he expressed concerns about privacy infringement and potential adverse ipacts on officials, highlighting the susceptibility to social pressures and risks of criminal targeting in a society where personal wealth disclosure could lead to vulnerabilities.

Kaifala elaborated, “Public disclosure could expose officials to undue pressures and threats, compromising their ability to serve effectively. We must safeguard the integrity of public service while combating corruption.”

Furthermore, Kaifala pointed to cultural norms in Sierra Leone, where excessive wealth disclosure is frowned upon, potentially deterring qualified individuals from public service and fostering false or misleading declarations.

He remarked, “We must recognize the cultural context in which we operate. Public disclosure may not align with our societal values and could deter capable individuals from entering public service.”

Despite his shift away from advocating public disclosure, Kaifala emphasized the effectiveness of the current system in combating corruption. The ACA has implemented stringent enforcement measures and combined asset declaration data with other investigative tools to ensure accountability without compromising officials’ privacy.

While acknowledging that circumstances may change in the future, Kaifala stressed the importance of tailoring anticorruption strategies to Sierra Leone’s specific context, suggesting that confidential asset declarations remain the most viable approach for the country at present.