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International Anti-Corruption Day, celebrated on this day December 9, 2024, highlights the progress and challenges of fighting corruption worldwide, including in Sierra Leone.
Our 2023 Transparency International Corruption Perception Index score of 35/100 shows that corruption still hinders our nation’s prosperity.
The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) scorecard has been advertised as showing progress, however data must not be manipulated to portray an unrealistically positive picture. The narrative surrounding Sierra Leone’s anti-corruption efforts needs additional scrutiny.
Effective corruption prevention requires measurable changes in systems, behaviours, and outcomes.The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is crucial to this effort, although public trust in it is low.
The ACC Commissioner’s strong relationship with state officials who could potentially be subjects of investigation, especially at public events, raises concerns about its independence and impartiality. The Commission’s decision of the Clerk of Parliament’s case, proposing administrative action rather than seeking direct accountability, reinforced this perspective. This action contradicts those of the Government against Lara Taylor-Pearce and Tamba Momoh, raising questions about consistency, justice, bias, and impartiality.
The Commissioner’s role in the contested Sierra Leone Bar Association elections in Kenema has raised questions about the ACC’s impartiality.
Despite persistent publicity, the public remains skeptical of the ACC. Citizens see a clear discrepancy between the Commission’s statements and corruption. The affluent lifestyles enjoyed by some government officials, which are frequently publicly flaunted—as illustrated in a viral recording involving the Minister of Works—serve as a stark contrast to the fight against corruption.
The ACC’s inability to address ‘sex for grades,’ public sector bribery, authority misuse, and citizens’ problems to access basic services undermines its story. Furthermore, the absence of substantial sanctions for financial irregularities noted in audit reports,continue to encourage corrupt behaviour.
To fight corruption in Sierra Leone, the ACC must apply anti-corruption laws equally and scrutinize everyone, even close friends and allies. Settlement decisions must be transparent so the public can observe how discretion is employed. The ACC must shift its attention from defensive PR to results that impact the lives of Sierra Leoneans. The ACC’s strategy must focus on ethical leadership with high integrity and professional boundaries. Addressing bribes for essential services and power abuse is crucial to rebuilding public trust.The fight against corruption must not be politicized.
The ACC can transform if it follows its fundamental mandate of impartiality, transparency, and genuine accountability. A corruption-free nation is feasible, but it will take an unrelenting commitment to honesty from the ACC and all of us.
