By: Patrick Hinga George, Public Education Officer, ACC
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Kenema Regional Office on Wednesday, 20th August, 2025, conducted an unannounced integrity check at the Ngelehun, Largo, and Talia Torgboma Community Health Centres (CHCs) in Nongowa Chiefdom, Kenema District, and at the Tondola Checkpoint in Kailahun District. The exercise, led by Regional Director Hawanau O. Kamara, formed part of the Commission’s continued efforts to safeguard public service delivery and enforce its zero-tolerance stance against corruption.
Addressing health workers, beneficiaries of the Free Healthcare Initiative, and checkpoint officers, Madam Kamara described corruption as a national enemy that deprives citizens of essential services and undermines development. She warned that corruption within the health sector and at border points has particularly damaging consequences for vulnerable groups and called on all stakeholders to resist, reject, and report corrupt practices.
Public Education Officer, Patrick Hinga George, stressed that corruption thrives where there is silence and ignorance, which is why the ACC engages communities directly to raise awareness. He urged health workers, security personnel, and service beneficiaries to know their rights and responsibilities, resist exploitation, and serve as champions of integrity within their communities.
Speaking on prevention, ACC’s Prevention Officer, Abiebatu Abu-Mattia, noted that plugging systemic loopholes is key to tackling corruption before it occurs. She called on health officials to manage drugs, medical supplies, and equipment transparently and reminded checkpoint officers to conduct their duties with integrity and fairness at all times.
On enforcement, ACC’s Investigation Officer, Andrew Komeh, warned that anyone caught extorting patients or soliciting bribes will face the full force of the law, as provided under the Anti-Corruption Act, 2008 (as amended in 2019). He assured participants that the ACC will continue acting on complaints and intelligence from communities to safeguard service delivery points.
Health centre in-charges and Tondola Checkpoint officers welcomed the visit and commended the ACC for its proactive stance. They pledged their full cooperation and support in the fight against corruption. The exercise, which combined integrity checks, education, prevention, and enforcement messages, reaffirmed the ACC’s determination to strengthen transparency and accountability across Sierra Leone.
