The ACC Acting Commissioner reported that much had been achieved in accordance with the objectives of the ACC Strategic Plan 2008-2010. The ACC now has a special unit to work on the National Anti-Corruption Strategy. To decentralize, the Makeni office is now fully operational and the capacity of the Bo office has been strengthened. Construction of the Kenema office has started. The ACC has also designed a Communications Strategy. It currently works with 15 community radio stations and is building a new user-friendly website.
The ACC received over 90% of the money budgeted for it from the government. It also diversified its donor base to include IrishAid, World Bank, Justice Sector Development Programme, European Union, Peacebuilding Fund and Open Society Institute for West Africa. However, support from the public and private sector remains varied and in need of better coordination. Financial, material and human resources remain grossly inadequate to carry out all activities countrywide.
National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS)
The Steering Committee on NACS, as well as two other Sub Committees conducted hearings on defaulting entities, and organized capacity building workshops for the Civil Society Monitoring Groups (CSMG) nationwide. The Media and Civil Society signed communiqués with the ACC in August 2009. Following the preparation and distribution of action plans, the Secretariat visited various entities to monitor the implementation of their plans. The Secretariat also partnered with the National Accountability Group (NAG) and the Catholic Church to sensitize selected ministries and priests on the purpose of the NACS. The NACS Unit also organized radio discussion and print media on the implementation of the action plans.
The Secretariat developed a Performance Tracking Table (PTT) as the tool for monitoring progress on implementation. Three quarterly performance tracking tables were analysed by the Secretariat and follow-up activities carried out. Overall compliance rate on NACS implementation in the first quarter was 80%, second quarter 88.4%, and third quarter 90.9%, making an average of about 88.4% compliance rating for the first three quarters in 2009.
Systems and Processes Review Department
The Department concluded systems reviews in the Ministry of Local Government, Internal Affairs and Rural Development; the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security; the Sierra Leone Police; the Prisons Department; the National Fire Force; the Ministry of Lands, Country Planning and Environment; and the Government Printing Department. In consultation with the Investigations, Intelligence and Prosecution Department, a systems review of the SLBS Leicester Peak site was also carried out. The Department also amended the 2004 Best Practice Guide on Public Auction to reflect modern international standards, and developed a Best Practice Guide on the use of government property. Other areas monitored include Lungi International Airport; backlog payments to teachers; the Income Electrix Report; NRA Revenue Generation Post; the Health Sector Report; the Education Sector Review Report; underpayment of benefits by West Coast Airlines; and employment problems in Statistics Sierra Leone.
The Policy and Ethics Unit compiled a document on public policy formulation and implementation, as well as a Code of Conduct for Local Councils. Training is expected to commence in 2010. Private sector interventions included signing an MOU with the Sierra Leone Indigenous Business Organization and drafting an MOU with Sierra Leone Import Export Promotion Agency. Engagement with the Sierra Leone Traders Union is also ongoing to remove barriers to private sector growth.
Public Education and External Outreach Department
Local drama groups within selected communities were trained by professionals to spread anti-corruption messages through song, dance and drama. The department held twenty-one customized meetings to clarify controversial issues of the ACC to the public. The department also established ‘Integrity Clubs’ in secondary schools to cultivate a sense of integrity in the younger generation. On June 16, Day of the African Child, the department organized a ‘Walk away from Corruption.’ Club members, along with their teachers, walked through the major streets of towns with placards displaying anti-corruption messages.
The department also produced 20,000 comic posters, 5,000 frequently asked questions pamphlets, and 2,000 training manuals for Integrity Clubs, and painted 10 school walls each in Freetown and Makeni with anti-corruption messages. A total of 4,000 Posters and Stickers along with 1,000 T-Shirts, 700 Caps, 500 Pens, 2,000 Calendars for the year 2010, were produced. The Department also aired 144 Radio Discussion Programs and jingles throughout the country and produced four editions of its newsletter. The department undertook staff training for various NGOs, geared towards increasing knowledge on ACC among professionals and students in tertiary institutions.
The Anti-Corruption Commission for the first time in 2009 participated in the Annual Lantern Parade, an event commemorating Independence. The Commission sponsored two lantern groups in Freetown: Leicester City Lantern Club and Lion Mountain Lantern Club to showcase strategic messages of the ACC. The department also launched an anti-corruption musical album, containing 10 songs by a number of leading local artists. The maiden National Integrity Awards were also awarded to Professor Eldred Jones and Madam Umu Kultumie Tejan-Jalloh as part of International Anti-Corruption Day commemorations.
Support Services Department
This department conducted staff recruitment to fill vacant positions within all Departments of the Commission. Though general staff turnover has been very low, the need for additional man-power remains an issue. Staff strength has been deterred by the Commission’s inadequate accommodation facilities. More logistical support is also needed, as the ratio between the available roadworthy vehicles and users remain 1 to 19. A number of staff participated in overseas training programmes as well as locally organized short courses in Investigative Skills and techniques, Communication Skills, Computing Monitoring and Evaluation, Change Management, Human Resource Management, Procurement and Administration, Financial Management, Combating and Preventing Corruption etc.
The Commission has strengthened the capacity of its resource centre and has handled small-scale internal printing jobs. A state-of the-art data-centre was acquired as well as personal computers, printers, photocopiers, and scanners. Security measures on infrastructure penetration from outside have been of great concern. This concern has been partially addressed by instituting a very strategic on-site and off-site backup system.
Intelligence, Investigations and Prosecutions Department (II&PD)
In 2009, the Intelligence Unit received a total of 48 reports from report centres, out of which 37 were completed and sent to the Investigation Unit. The Intelligence Unit also collated 65 reports from intelligence gathered through its 5x5x5 reporting system. The department developed a framework for prioritizing cases for investigation. Priority of cases is no longer based on the monetary value of the case, but on the impact its creates on public perception and the fight against corruption. Against this backdrop, the department identified the following priority areas and investigation teams: National Security, Public Procurement, Revenue Collection, Delivery of Essential Services, and the Judiciary.
In 2009, the Investigation Unit dealt with a total of 122 cases, some new and some carried over from the previous year. The unit submitted 24 prosecution reports to the Prosecution Unit, 9 of which were sent to court. The Prosecution Unit obtained convictions in 11 cases in 2009. Amongst the convictions was Francis Gabbidon, former Ombudsman of Sierra Leone, who was convicted on a 164 count indictment of Misappropriation of Public Funds. The former Director General of the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Service was also convicted on 1 count of misappropriation of Public funds. The Prosecution Unit also charged to court 12 new cases in 2009. Amongst the cases is State v Sheiku Tejan Koroma, in which the former Minister of Health and Sanitation is being prosecuted on a 3 count charge of Abuse of Office in Awarding Contract. The department also developed a Witness Protection Framework, and the JSDP has provided the Prosecution Unit with a Case Map Software.
In 2009, the Anti-Corruption Commission recovered Le 1,790,549,588.70 as settlements from corruption-related cases. In 2008, the amount recovered was Le 771,617,163. This represents a 132% increase. Prior to 2008, the Commission had not recovered any substantial funds. During the year under review a total of 1109 complaints were received. This is an increase of about 5% above the total complaints receive in 2008. Complaints that did not fall under the Anti-Corruption Act were channeled to other institutions for actions to be taken. Such institutions included the Office of Ombudsman, Police, National Social Security and Insurance Trust, Ministry of Labour and Ministry of Lands and Infrastructural Development.
