The Public Education and Outreach Unit of the Anti-Corruption Commission’s Northern Region office has called on Paramount Chiefs in Bombali District to support national efforts to promote transparency and accountability in the public sector. The call came during an anti-corruption engagement held on 28th June 2025 at the residence of Hon Paramount Chief Kandeh Baba Kieh in Gbendembu, Gbendembu Chiefdom.
In her keynote address, Regional Director Fatu Florence Kamara emphasised the pivotal role of traditional leaders in governance, applauding them for their continued service to the nation. She described paramount chiefs as custodians of customs and traditions who wield significant authority to ensure effective chiefdom administration.
“I’m pleased to inform you that the Commissioner of the ACC fully acknowledges your importance,” she said.
Mrs Kamara further informed the Council that the Commission is committed to enhancing collaboration with other public institutions, including the Council of Paramount Chiefs, to combat corruption and pursue social justice. She stressed that partnership is a cornerstone of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2024–2028 and urged the chiefs to actively support its implementation in their respective chiefdoms.
According to the Director, collaboration between the ACC and traditional authorities would promote integrity in local governance, improve revenue collection and service delivery, strengthen public trust in the chieftaincy, and ensure effective oversight of government and donor-funded projects.
Responding on behalf of the Council, Paramount Chief Bai Bairoh Mabolleh Annsheni of Mara Chiefdom thanked the Commission for the engagement. He commended the ACC's work and reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to national development, noting that chiefs are an integral part of government. He condemned malpractice in the public sector and pledged the Council’s full support in tackling it.
Paramount Chief Massa Yeli Tham III, who facilitated the meeting, echoed his colleague’s sentiments. He endorsed the idea of establishing an anti-corruption committee within the Council, suggesting it could help identify and report misconduct at the chiefdom level.
It was further proposed that each chiefdom would form its own anti-corruption committee comprising the Paramount Chief, Speaker, Senior Section Chief, two women’s leaders, youth leaders, a pastor, an imam, and the head of a learning institution. However, the details of the proposed committees would be discussed in full at the next Council meeting, when all twelve chiefs in the district are expected to be present.
Earlier, Senior Public Education Officer Aiah Sourie briefed the Council on recent achievements of the Commission. He reported that on 27th June 2025, the ACC paid government the sum of Le12,000,000, which recovered within the last one year through its widely praised non-conviction-based asset recovery mechanism. Since 2018, this approach has enabled the recovery of a total of Le76,000,000, which has been paid into the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
Mr Sourie also noted that the Commission achieved a 91 per cent compliance rate in 2024 for the mandatory declaration of assets by public officers at Grade 7 and above, as well as others in fiduciary positions below that grade.
