By Bernard Abass Kargbo – Public Education Officer, ACC

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has commenced the validation process for the 5th Generation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) 2025-2029. The process kicked off on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, at the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary School Education (MBSSE) Conference Hall, in Port Loko City-North-Western Sierra Leone.

This process aims to Validate ideas previously gathered from key stakeholders who participated in the drafting of the NACS 5th-Generation Strategy. Their opinions and feedbacks will be used to finalize the Strategy and ensure that it is comprehensive and effective in addressing corruption in Sierra Leone in the next Five (5) years.

The validation process is being led by a Team of Experts who were contracted by the Commission to craft the 5th Generation Strategy. The ACC through these experts, has been working closely with Government agencies, civil society organizations, and international partners among others, to ensure that the Strategy is widely accepted and implemented.

The Chairperson of the Team of Experts, Umaru Fofana, during his presentation of the draft Strategy, emphasized the importance of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, stating that, “it is a critical tool in the fight against corruption in Sierra Leone”. He further informed his audience that “the process of validation is an opportunity for all stakeholders to contribute to the development of a strong and effective Strategy that will work for all”.

The Director of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy Secretariat, Nabilahi Musa Kamara, while delivering his welcome address to participants, noted that they should embrace the validation process as the Strategy will be implemented by MDAs and Local Councils, stressing that the ownership of the Strategy is with them “this Strategy will be owned and implemented by yourselves, and whatever Input you make here today will be your responsibility to implement after the final draft”. Mr. Kamara pleaded with them to concentrate and make meaningful inputs for a good Strategy. “We want you to make the necessary changes to what you think is necessary for the Strategy to be successfully implemented”.

The National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) aims to promote integrity and combat corruption in public service. It adopts a diagnostic approach, focusing on preventive mechanisms and collective efforts. It will be implemented across four (4) strategic objectives intervention areas, which are; 1. Strengthen accountability mechanisms, implement reforms in procurement processes, and foster a culture of integrity and ethical behavior within targeted Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to increase transparency and oversight; 2. Enhance coordination and collaboration between Government agencies and non-state actors, manage delivery risks, and improve real-time monitoring for successful implementation; 3. The Government to integrate social justice principles into policies, programs, and fund distribution, collaborate with social justice organizations, improve transparency and accountability for equitable funding distribution; and 4. improve transparency and accountability in utility service agencies for better governance, enhance service delivery and infrastructure maintenance, and strengthen the regulatory framework for compliance with standards and regulations. The NACS will also integrate preventive measures and technology.

The validation process is expected to run for a week, targeting MDAs and Local Councils across the country, after which the finalized National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2025-2029 will be launched. The ACC is calling on all stakeholders to participate in the validation process and contribute to the development of a corrupt-free Sierra Leone.