3. Page 3 . In a coordinated push to strengthen transparency and delivery of social assistance, the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of the Anti - Corruption Commission (ACC) Augustine Foday Ngobie intensified engagements with district monitors overseeing major Productive Social Safety Net and Youth Employment (PSSN) cash transfer programs in Pujehun, Tonkolili, and Falaba Districts. The meetings took place in Makeni at the ACC regional office and at Makona, near Matotoka in Tonkolili District on 27 September 2025. They were conducted to build capacity, clarify monitoring responsibilities, and roll out enhanced accountability mechanisms as the PSSNYE project is scaling up to reach more vulnerable households. In his statement, the DC described the engagements as part of a broader effort to ensure that funds reach intended beneficiaries quickly and securely, reduce leakages, and collect timely feedback on service delivery. In this regard, District Monitors who act as the local eyes and ears of the project, received refresher training on eligibility verification, digital payment reconciliation, complaints from the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) handling, and field reporting protocols. “ District - level monitoring is very important to the success of the PSSNYE project, ” the DC said, adding "by strengthening the skills and tools of monitors on the ground, we can improve both the speed and transparency of cash transfers, and ensure that the concerns of beneficiaries are quickly addressed. ” He admonished the monitors to take heed of the process and deviate from fraudulent activities whilst executing their duties. He reminded them that they are not only representing themselves but also the Commis- sion. Data Analyst, Momoh Vandi Gbetuwa, briefed the monitors on recent updates including mobile reporting applications and joint sessions with payment service providers and local authorities. These, he stressed, would map out data - sharing pro- tocols, reconcile beneficiary lists, and payment records in real time. Gbetuwa also emphasized that monitors should not work in isolation, instructing them to proactively gather feedback from beneficiaries about the timing, adequacy, and accessibility of payments – with particular attention to women - headed households and persons with disabilities. Also, local GRMs were reviewed in the meetings with steps taken to ensure that complaints would be re- solved and logged for a comprehensive project analysis within set timelines. As the engagement climaxed, monitors highlighted series of constraints such as poor road network to remote communities, intermit- tent mobile connectivity, and insufficient staffing during peak payment periods especially the mobile network staff. To address these issues, the district coordinator explained that payment schedules, mobile verification units for hard - to - reach areas, and stronger partnerships with mobile operators would be used to help ensure that beneficiaries receive their payments. “ This will allay their concerns, ” he concluded. Deputy Commissioner addressing District Monitors at the ACC regional office in Makeni PSSNYE District Monitors during the engagement at the ACC regional office in Makeni

4. Page 4 The North - East Regional Office of the Anti - Corruption Commission (ACC) has teamed up with the National Public Procurement Authority (NPPA) to strengthen compliance with procurement regulations in Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs), and Local Councils in the region. In a customized engagement held on Monday, 22nd September 2025, at the NPPA Regional Office in Makeni, the ACC ’ s Regional Director, Fatu Florence Kamara, underscored the importance of integrity and transparency in procurement processes as a safeguard against the misuse of public resources. She reaffirmed the Commission ’ s commitment to working with NPPA in enforcing procurement regulations. “ As sister institutions, the ACC is always ready and determined to support NPPA in achieving its mandate. We are all working towards a common goal which is the development of Sierra Leone, ” she stated. Mrs Kamara expressed concern over the persistence of corruption in procurement - related activities across MDAs and Local Councils. She highlighted the Commission ’ s continued interventions through public education, prevention, and investigation, and urged NPPA staff to uphold ethics, integrity, and professionalism. She further revealed that the ACC would be conducting on - the - spot checks to monitor staff punctuality and attendance. Welcoming the ACC ’ s support, NPPA ’ s Assistant Director and Regional Head for the North, Patricia Rowe , commended the initiative and reaffirmed NPPA ’ s dedication to strengthening collaboration. She recalled that the partnership between ACC and NPPA, which began over a decade ago, has contributed to significant improvements in the procurement regime. “ We are committed to working with the ACC. This assurance of support from the ACC Regional Office is a positive step. If we get procurement right, corruption issues will be minimized, ” she emphasized. Rowe thanked the ACC for the engagement and encour- aged her staff to abide by regulations and resist corrupt practices. Addressing specific corruption risks in procurement, the ACC Regional Manager North - East, Al - Hassan Sesay, reminded NPPA staff of their obligations under the Anti - Corruption Act, 2008 (amended 2019). He outlined key offences relevant to their work, including offering, soliciting, or accepting advantage, receiving gifts for corrupt purposes, abuse of office or position, bid rigging, corrupt transactions with agents, conspiracy to commit corruption offences, and misappropriation of public or donor funds and property. He reemphasized the Commission ’ s preventive approach while cautioning NPPA staff to conduct themselves with integrity at all times. An ACC Intern, Ambrose Tieh, also explained the mechanisms for reporting corruption to the Commission, emphasizing confidentiality, anonymity, and whistleblower protection. He NPPA ’ s Assistant Director and Regional Head for the North, Patricia Rowe seated in the middle L – R: ACC Regional Director North - East, Fatu Florence Kamara seated with the Regional Manager North - East, Al - Hassan Sesay highlighted the provision of a 10 percent reward to informants upon successful recovery of stolen resources, while warning against false reporting, which constitutes an offence.

2. Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala Esq and the Director of KICTAMC John B. Charles during the launch of the two new programs Page 2 During the ACC Commissioner ’ s key- note address The People's Commissioner of the Anti - Corruption Commission (ACC) Sierra Leone, Francis Ben Kaifala Esq graced the graduation ceremony of Kenema ICT and Management College (KICTAMC) on their Bockarig bay Street Campus on 26th September 2025 as Guest of Honour and Keynote Speaker. At the groundbreaking graduation of fifty - two (52) young Sierra Leoneans, the Commissioner spoke on the theme "THE ENTREPRENEURIAL MINDSET: INTERPLAY BETWEEN SKILLS & INTEGRITY". The graduands, made up of 96% female, came from a BOOT CAMP SKILL TRAINING programme that provided them with adequate skills and qualifications in essential and economically viable fields like Beauty Make - Up, IT, Graphic Design, Event Decoration, Cake Baking & Design, etc . "You have acquired trending and lucrative skills that society needs. When I paid over Thirty Thousand Leones (Le:30,000) for my wedding cake, for instance, it dawned on me that these skills could make fortunes if we commit to doing our utmost as better is always possible, ” Commissioner Kailafa encouraged the graduands, adding, “ Society needs your skills and we will pay for them. Consider yourself experts in needed fields and be proud of what you have acquired. Don ’ t be intimidated by these hyped professions that many wrongly believe guarantee fame, money, and success," the Commissioner stated. Mr Kaifala went further to encourage them to continue investing the required efforts and energy into the already acquired skills. He urged the graduating students to be determined: “ You have to have grit, which is an extreme desire to succeed and pushing yourself irrespective of huddles, distractions, and other difficulties. You have to have the GO - GETTER MENTALITY ” , the commissioner admonished. The well - couched theme enabled the erudite and people - conscious Commissioner to dissect the relevance of Entrepreneurial Mindset with keen interest in not only the acquisition of skills but in doing so with integrity, which he said “ is the most crucial virtue that the world looks for. ” He stated that integrity was always the icing on the cake for all Sylvanus Blake, Deputy Director, Public Education & Outreach Department professionals. The Commissioner was also honoured to officially launch two new courses that KICTAMC will start rolling out this academic year; Corruption Prevention and Management Studies and Criminal Justice and Security Management Studies. He thanked the Chief Executive Officer of KICTAMC, Bockarie Bayoh and the staff and Management of the college for what he described as apt, timely, and considerate move to introduce such modules. The event, chaired by Sulaiman B. Sowa Esq., was climaxed by the presentation of certificates to the graduating students by the People ’ s Commissioner, Paramount Chiefs and other stakeholders present. There were also educative poetry and melo - drama performances, and inspection of samples of the handiworks of the graduating students. The graduands expressed their appreciation to the People ’ s Commissioner, when the vote of thanks was delivered by one of them, Florence Ngotto. She expressed joy that the ACC Commissioner, whom they regard as a beacon of hope and integrity as well as an academic jug- gernaut in his own right, was there to grace their occasion. The People ’ s Commissioner, who has been dubbed by many as the “ Dangerously Educated Man ”, has been to almost every tertiary institution across Sierra Leone to deliver inspirational and resurrecting public lec- tures and engage in frank discussions with young people on intriguing and meaty topics. He has remained steadfast in contributing to the Human Capital Development trajectory of HE President Julius Madda Bio's Flagship Program.

1. Contd. Page 4 11 Mobile No: 8515 on all Networks EDITORIAL TEA M EDITOR - IN - CHIEF Aiah P. M. Sourie EDITORS Sylvanus Blake Alex A. Bah LAYOUT & GRAPHICS Philippa M Davies EDITORIAL ADVISERS Augustine Foday Ngobie Patrick Sandi Abubakarr Turay 22nd — 26th September 2025 ISSUE 3, VOLUME 16 ACC Commissioner Francis Ben Kai- fala and Resident Representative UNDP, Sierra Leone, Fredrick Hans Ampiah during the meeting The Anti - Corruption Commission (ACC) on 24th September, 2025 engaged the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative in Sierra Leone, Fredrick Hans Ampiah, to explore opportunities for strengthening collaboration to advance the fight against corruption. The engagement was held at the UNDP Conference Room, Old Main Motor Road, Wilberforce in Freetown. ACC Commissioner, Francis Ben Kaifala Esq., stressed the centrality of compliance and reform in Sierra Leone ’ s anti - corruption drive, especially the absence of a dedicated Whistleblower Regulation, describing it as a key factor affecting Sierra Leone ’ s performance in international anti - corruption rankings. “ Even though I have always said at international conferences that the Anti - Corruption Act contains adequate provisions to protect whistle- blowers, the absence of a standalone policy has not reflected well for us internationally. That is why we developed the Regulation placed in the House of Parliament, ” Commissioner Kaifala explained. He added that while considering possible partners to support the im- plementation of the policy, UNDP naturally came to mind, and coincidentally, the UNDP team had also been thinking in that same direction. The Commissioner further expressed the Commission ’ s desire to formalize its partnership with UNDP through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which would provide a structured framework for continued collaboration, alignment of priorities, and delivery of impactful anti - corruption reforms. In response, the UNDP Resident Representative commended the ACC for its “ fantastic ” progress in building systems of integrity nationwide. He underscored the timeliness of the engagement, noting that the UNDP stands ready to continue supporting Sierra Leone ’ s anti - corruption efforts. He assured the possibilities for something bold and transformative with the ACC, particularly in strengthening whistleblowing systems, ensuring compliance, and embedding sustainability in accountability reforms. The meeting also featured contributions from ACC ’ s Coordinator of Operations, Patrick Sandi, and UND- P ’ s Deputy Resident Representative, Kevin Petrini, among others. Both reinforced the value of practical next steps, including the provisions of the National Anti - Corruption Strategy (NACS) to identify opportunities for resource mobilization, and to develop transformative reforms that can yield long - term impact. The engagement concluded with Commissioner Kaifala presenting the key priorities the Commission intends to accomplish in the coming years. Both institutions reaffirmed their shared vision for a corrupt - free Sierra Leone, rooted in integrity, compliance, and bold reforms . By: Alex A. Bah, Ag. Public Relations Officer, ACC Meeting in progress