Following the visit by the United States Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Maria Brewer a few days ago to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), the British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Guy Warrington, on Wednesday, 26th September 2018 also paid a courtesy call on the Anti- Corruption Commissioner at its 3 Gloucester Street Office in Freetown.
The Commisioner and a cross section of his management team had over an hour’s discussion with the UK High Commissioner (seen right in photo) on re-positioning and strengthening the UK’s continued support to the ACC..
During the course of the visit, Warrington encouraged the Commissioner and his team to continue to work in the interest of the people of Sierra Leone and produce results. He further expressed delight on the success of the Pay no Bribe Campaign (PnB) but also expressed his dissatisfaction on how the work of the commission was carried out in the past - especially the commission’s lack of will to crack down hard on corrupt officials.
"They were expected to mostly go after tigers but focused on NGO’s and "flies" while corrupt "tigers" roamed with impunity", High Commissioner Warrington added.
The UK High Commissioner concluded his statement by promising his government’s continued technical support while at the same time keeping an eye on improving on other things required where they can.
On his part the ACC Commissioner, Francis Ben Kaifala explained the current status of the fight against graft, adding that there are steady efforts by the entire staff of the ACC to ensure that no stones are left unturned in the New vision of the ACC.
Commissioner Kaifala further assured the visitors of his commitment to bring belief and results to the minds of the people on the seriousness of the fight by setting brighter examples of convicted "models" of the fight against corruption and seek, in the long term, to laundering the image of Sierra Leone.
The ACC Boss also gave an insight into the needs of the ACC to the UK High Commissioner in terms of capacity and resources. He maintained that winning the fight against corruption requires a stronger and ready team. This would include the support to realizing the Special Court for Corruption and a balance between foreign and local judges to fairly, accurately and speedily try cases.
Warrington promised to support and to assist going forward where they can.
The High Commissioner who was accompanied by his assistant was appointed as British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone in March 2016. He replaced Peter West who was posted to Sierra Leone on February 28th 2013.
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