By: Alex A. Bah, Public Relations Assistant, ACC
In the growing digital and ensuing technological age, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) on Saturday 29th June, 2024, engaged bloggers, Social Media Influencers and Journalists with a view to enlisting them into the fight against corruption. The engagement which took place at the Albertson Hotel Conference Hall, Kenema, attracted attendance from over 45 Resident Bloggers, Social Media Influencers and Journalists in the different districts and parts of the Country.
Making a statement, Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala Esq. informed them that this is the second engagement after a similar one held in June 2022 in Freetown, but deliberately chose to incorporate other Bloggers and Influencers outside Freetown, hence bringing the engagement to the Provinces.
The Commissioner further stated that the engagement is intentioned to support the development strides of his Excellency the President, Brigadier Rtd. Dr. Julius Maada Bio, which underscores his critical role as the Commissioner of the ACC - to inject integrity in the entire system as it will provide the enabling environment to realize and maximize the President's initiatives.
He dilated on the importance of discipline stating that it is important to have disciplined thought, disciplined action and disciplined people for acountry to get to where it should be. "As the Head of the ACC l am committed to doing this and l am happy you have decided to join in to propagate integrity messages and support His Excellency the President's agenda to wage a war against Corruption and indiscipline", he averred.
Alhaji Dr. Brima Rogers, Special Envoy on Trade and Investment, that disclosed that he lived with the Commissioner in Boston Massachusetts during his recent studies in Havard, commended the young people for showing what he described as a commendable desire to support the cause of fighting corruption which he leads. He charged them to remain focused whilst taking them through bits of his personal journey to excellence.
Dr. Rogers urged them to continue to emulate Commissioner Kaifala, stating that he has never seen someone so passionate about excellence and so committed to fighting the scourge of corruption. He maintained that it is this belief in the Commissioner that urged him to honor the duty of canvassing investors to bring fortunes into Sierra Leone and help in laundering its Image in America and other parts of the world.
The Director of Public Education and External Outreach Department, ACC, Patrick Sandi whilst chairing the meeting, endeared the participants to remain focused to the cause and be bold to brave through the imminent challenges that beset the fight. Mr. Sandi charged them to be passionate, consistent and be open to asking questions and disseminating contents of ACC to their large following that constitutes the youthful majority.
Solomon Bockarie, in his statement commended Commissioner, describing him as a people-centered person that accepted him from the very first day he approached him. He continued that he admired the successes of the Commissioner and how he quickly changed the fortunes of Sierra Leone in the fight against corruption, and felt the need to join in this cause.
Mr. Bockarie added that, he felt the need to get a team from across the Country, to provide a solid support to the Commission by propagating and cascading vital integrity messages.
The engagement was climaxed with a Position Paper presented on how as bloggers and media influencers, they will support the fight against corruption in Sierra Leone and critical questions posedregarding the fight against Corruption, with the Commissioner providing the adequate responses.
