A press release from State House Press Secretary Sheka Tarawalie today states that President Ernest Bai Koroma has declared his assets and signed into law the new Anti-Corruption Bill 2008, giving extensive powers to the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) in the fight against corruption in Sierra Leone.
After performing the function, the President said it was a clear indication of his government’s commitment to remove the “cancer” of corruption from Sierra Leone.
“This is unique not only for the sub-region but for Africa as a whole. And it is a clear message that this cancer must be taken seriously,” he emphasized. The President said he was fulfilling a long desire he had even before taking over the reins of government.
“As Leader of the Opposition in the last Parliament, we made our position clear that the ACC Act 2000 was most welcome but not strong enough, not independent enough to carry out the fight against corruption in an effective manner. In the last presidential elections, I campaigned on the ticket of giving greater authority and independence to the ACC. In less than a year in office, I have succeeded in not only reviewing the law but putting in place the Anti Corruption Strategy Paper through its Committee.”
The Head of State virtually prophesied that if his government substantially reduces corruption and leakages in revenue collection, Sierra Leone would have no business begging for loans or aid. He said we must look inward with particular reference to the Ministries of Education, Agriculture, Health and “a few others.”
He disclosed that it is now mandatory for all public servants to declare their assets, while he encouraged all Sierra Leoneans “to read and become conversant with the Act.” He said the purpose of the Act will not only be to bring justice to the corrupt but to act as a deterrent by way of preventing an opportunity whereby the corrupt could cause untold damage before being brought to justice.
The President then formally handed over his declared assets form to the ACC Commissioner Abdul Tejan Cole.
Speaking earlier, Tejan Cole said: “Today is a historic and momentous day - the day the ACC Bill 2008 finally gets presidential assent to become an Act of Parliament... after months of debates and arguments”.
He enumerated the new powers of the ACC, which include making it mandatory for the Head of State and all senior officials to declare their assets, the commission now has prosecutorial powers, the Act enables the commission to enter into international co-operation so that “there will be no hiding place not only for corrupt Sierra Leoneans but for foreigners who engage in corrupt practices in Sierra Leone”, the offences have been upgraded from nine to twenty-nine, there are stiffer penalties, and there are compensations and protection for whistle-blowers.
The Commissioner was delighted that for the first time the Northern Province has got an ACC office in Makeni. He was, on behalf of the commission, indebted to the President “without whose dedication and effort this dream would not have come true.” He also paid tribute to the Vice President, the Attorney General, the Minister of Presidential Affairs, the Minister of Education and the Law Officers Department for their support in the drafting of the bill.
The occasion was witnessed by a cross-section of the independent media.
It is not clear whether past government officials including former president Ahmed Tejan Kabbah and his ministers will be compelled to declare their assets by the new Act. It is not also clear whether it will include former parliamentarians. What is however clear is that this action by the president will put enormous pressure on members of the opposition to declare their assets whether they are in government or not.
President Koroma’s declaration of his assets has also put to rest many months of speculations by Sierra Leoneans at home and abroad and will definitely increase his popularity among a population tired of being lied to and fleeced by politicians. If members of his government follow his example and declare their assets as the Act demands then his government will be one of the few governments in Africa to do so, a definite plus.
Meanwhile, President Koroma has appointed Mr. Morlai Buya-Kamara as Deputy Commissioner of the ACC, subject to parliamentary approval.
Mr. Buya-Kamara holds a Masters degree in Public Financial Management from Oxford Brookes University (UK) after gaining a BSc (Hons) in accounting from Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone.
He is currently the Director of Grants at ENCISS (Enhancing the Interaction and Interface between Civil Society and State to improve poor people’s lives) - a DFID funded programme managed by CARE, Sierra Leone.
Mr. Buya-Kamara was Project Coordinator of the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society from 2004 to 2007, and is currently a part-time lecturer at the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM).
He has worked as Management Consultant for PCL International, Business/ Financial Adviser for the School of Business and Technology in London and also Lecturer at the South-East London College and the London School of Management and Technology also in London, UK.
Photo: President Ernest Bai Koroma(file photo).
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