By Forum staff writer
The Anti-Corruption Commission ACC has renewed calls for collective national responsibility in the fight against corruption, stressing that the burden cannot rest on the Commission alone. This position was outlined by Abubakarr Turay, Director of Outreach and Public Relations at the ACC, during an interview on AYV’s Wake Up Salone programme.
Mr Turay said corruption remains a difficult challenge that requires the active involvement of multiple state institutions, particularly Parliament. He explained that while the establishment of the ACC has strengthened the country’s response to corruption, it should not create the impression that all responsibility lies solely with the Commission.
He noted that many citizens tend to believe that once the ACC is in place, every issue related to corruption should be handled by the institution alone. According to him, this mindset undermines the broader system of accountability that is required to effectively combat corruption at all levels of governance.
Mr Turay also addressed concerns about the operational independence of the ACC, especially in relation to government funding. He made it clear that receiving funds from the government does not compromise the Commission’s independence or its ability to carry out investigations without interference.
He explained that the ACC has, on several occasions, investigated institutions that are directly involved in providing funds for its operations, including the Ministry of Finance. Despite this relationship, he said the Commission has never been prevented from carrying out its mandate, stressing that its independence is protected by law.
According to Mr Turay, the ACC operates as an independent institution and no government body has the authority to stop or influence its investigations. He said the legal framework governing the Commission ensures that financial support from the state does not translate into control over its work.
Speaking on Sierra Leone’s performance in global corruption perception assessments, Mr Turay said the country is making steady progress. He pointed to recent scores that show gradual improvement over the years, describing the trend as encouraging.
He recalled that in previous years, Sierra Leone recorded scores as low as 29 and 30. He said the score later improved to 33 and has now increased to 34. While acknowledging that the figures are not perfect, he described the improvement as a sign that reforms are yielding results.
Mr Turay also compared Sierra Leone’s performance to the sub Saharan Africa average score of 32, noting that the country is now performing above the regional average. He said this demonstrates that national efforts to address corruption are beginning to have a measurable impact.
He further highlighted the strength of Sierra Leone’s legal framework in the fight against corruption. According to him, the Anti-Corruption Commission Act of 2008, as amended in 2019, is among the strongest pieces of Anti-Corruption legislation on the African continent.
He said the law provides the ACC with wide ranging powers to investigate, prevent and prosecute corruption, while also safeguarding its independence. Mr Turay expressed optimism that with continued institutional cooperation and public support, Sierra Leone can build on the progress made so far and further strengthen transparency and accountability in public life.
