In consonance with its mandate to raise awareness on the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) component of the World Bank-funded Social Safety Net (SSN) project, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has held a sensitization meeting with beneficiaries of the Project at Kamalo Village, Kerene District, on the 11th May, 2021.
Head of Outreach Unit, ACC, Musa Jawara, started off by telling the people about the dangers posed by corruption, noting that “if we all underestimate corruption and its effects, there will be no place of convenience and survival for most people.”
He said that Kamalo would have been a better place but for corruption. “When drugs meant to heal the sick get missing in hospitals, the result is death or continued suffering; when justice cannot be freely dispensed, the result would be injustice, tears, pain and misery,” he said.
One way he asked them to stand together against corruption is by always reporting instances of corruption to the Commission through the toll free lines of 077-985-985 and 077-986-986.
Public Relations Assistant, David Yusuf Kabia, called on the beneficiaries to understand the purpose of this project, what is expected of them by both the Government of Sierra Leone and the World Bank. He reminded them of the excruciating hardship suffered during the COVID-19 pandemic which cut short their livelihoods, noting that the direct cash transfers are meant to cushion the economic hardship during the COVID-19 period.
One of the beneficiaries, Hassan Sesay of Makolongbo thanked the Commission for ensuring transparency in the project.
He further thanked the Government of Sierra Leone and the World Bank for providing the funds during these difficult times. He said he used part of his money to rehabilitate his house which was gutted by fire.
Another beneficiary Adama Dumbuya of Kamalo said that after the death of her husband, there was nothing she could do to fend for herself. However, upon receipt of the SSN package, she was able to buy some livestock for commercial purposes.
Pa Alimamy Conteh of Kamalo Village said he has been able to provide food and meet the educational needs of his family with the cash he received from the project.
