The Anti- Corruption Commission (ACC) Regional Office in Kono has on the 22nd May 2025 held a community outreach engagement in Kaindordu town, Soa chiefdom, on the evils of corruption and how the scourge affects effective service delivery in rural and underprivileged communities.
The meeting was part of the Commission’s strategy to sustain engagements with communities and raise awareness about the adverse effects of corruption as stipulated in Section 7 (2)(o) of the Anti-Corruption Act 2008 as amended in 2019.
In attendance at the Kainkordu court ‘barray’ were various stakeholders, including section chiefs, youth leaders, women’s leaders, police and members of their partnership boards, health workers, chiefdom administrative clerks, students, teachers and beneficiaries of the Productive Social Safety Net and Youth Employment (PSSNYE), among others.
Speaking on the objectives of the meeting, ACC’s Senior Public Education Officer Sam P. Gogra said the Commission was in the town to raise awareness about corruption issues and to solicit the undiluted support of residents. “We encourage you to reject, resist, and report, all forms of corruption to the Commission, as community support is very key in winning the fight against the scourge,” he said.
Mr Gogra further reminded the people about similar interactive sessions organized by the ACC in other chiefdoms, which has resulted in an increase in the number of corruption-related offences reported to the Commission. He described community sensitization on the ills of corruption as one of the most reliable strategies employed by the Commission to win the fight against the scourge.
He said that the community people have the right to be well informed about every aspect of any project implementated in their community, and are also mandated to ask questions about the utilization of the resources for transparency and accountability purposes.
Public Education Officer, ACC, Patricia J. Sannah, said it is an act of corruption for public officers to demand for money before, during and after much needed services are rendered to the public if such costs are not approved by the public institution providing the service. She made reference to various malpractices perpetratedby public workers in the delivery of public services like health, education and policing. She encouragedher audience to always call the toll free line of 8515 (all networks) to report grievances related to the implementation of the PSSNYE project or any other corruption-related act to the Commission.
Section Chief Francis S. Koakonah, who earlier received and welcomed the ACC Public Education team, commended the Commission for its continuous awareness raising exercises and empowerment of vulnerable people in remote communities.
He assured the visiting ACC team that every project implemented in the chiefdom will now be effectively monitored to ensure quality service delivery. He concluded by pledging his firm support to the Commission in its fight against corruption.
After the community engagement, the Public Education and Outreach team also held an interactive meeting with staff of the Kainkordu Community Health Center with regards their operations. The Staff of the facility were encouraged to continue performing their duties with high level of professionalism, integrity and commitment.
