The Coordinator of Operations at the Anti-Corruption Commission of Sierra Leone (ACC-SL), Patrick Sandi, has today, 18th June 2025, delivered a compelling presentation on Sierra Leone’s strides in whistleblower protection and reporting mechanisms. He made this statement during a session on “Challenges and Good Practices in the Protection of Reporting Persons,” held in Board Room M1 at the Vienna International Centre, as part of the 16th Session of the Intergovernmental Working Group on the Prevention of Corruption under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), taking place from 16th to 20th June 2025.

Mr. Sandi emphasized the critical role whistleblowing plays in combating corruption and other serious crimes such as drug trafficking and money laundering. He noted that Sierra Leone has made steady progress in this area, with legal guarantees firmly enshrined in Sections 81 and 82 of the Anti-Corruption Act, 2008, as amended in 2019.

He highlighted that all ACC staff are bound by an Oath of Confidentiality, which mandates them to safeguard the identity of whistleblowers and informants. This measure, he furthered, is essential to sustaining a trusted network of reporting persons whose safety and anonymity are assured.

Speaking further, Mr. Sandi outlined that Sierra Leone currently implements a functional and progressive Whistleblower and Witness Protection Policy. This policy clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of both the ACC and whistleblowers in the protection process. He also pointed out the existence of a Whistleblower Reward Scheme, which incentivizes individuals whose reports lead to the recovery of public funds.

He concluded by revealing that the Commission is at an advanced stage in finalizing a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for whistleblower protection and case handling. Mr. Sandi expressed optimism that this SOP will be completed soon, further strengthening Sierra Leone’s anti-corruption framework and reinforcing trust in the country’s reporting systems.