In a powerful show of dedication to transparency and accountability, Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has reiterated his team’s strong commitment to the Open Government Partnership (OGP) principles as a pathway in fighting corruption in Sierra Leone. This pledge emphasises the Commission’s accountability and the importance of citizen engagement in its operations.
The commitment was made during a warm welcome to the new Chairman of the National Council for Civic Education and Democracy (NaCCED) who also serves as the OGP’s Point of Contact and team. Their meeting occurred at the Integrity House, Tower Hill Office, on March 11, 2025.
During this visit, the Chairman and his team followed up on recommendations from the Independent Review Mechanism (IRM) Report concerning the National Action Plan 5 (2024-2028). This critical report highlighted that Commitment 1 aims to bolster anti-corruption measures, enhance government and civil society collaboration, and strengthen the integrity management committees (IMCs) across governmental bodies.
Among the report’s key recommendations is for the ACC to actively collect, publish, and analyse monitoring reports from the IMCs. This allows the internal team and civil society organisations (CSOs) to monitor progress, assess IMC functionality, and glean insights that will inform future initiatives. Moreover, it calls for a review of the 2024-2028 Anti-Corruption Strategy, advocating for the IMCs to take centre stage and ensuring that Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), as well as Local Councils include funding for IMCs in their budgets.
Chairman Joseph Bindi praised the ACC for its steadfast commitment to the OGP process, noting that Sierra Leone has achieved impressive rankings in completing National Action Plans due to their significant contributions. He underscored the importance of civic education in promoting responsible citizenship and urged the Commission to involve CSOs in monitoring the implementation of IMCs. “NaCCED will continue to engage and work with all MDAs in reaching out the citizenry as our mission is to educate the people of Sierra Leone,” he emphasised.
Reflecting on his experience, Commissioner Ben Kaifala shared his long-standing relationship with OGP as their legal counsel before stepping into public office. He expressed confidence in the collaborative spirit between his team and the OGP unit, highlighting their ongoing efforts to ensure a seamless flow of information.
Mrs. Hannah Hamida Jimmy, the OGP Coordinator, echoed the support sentiment, acknowledging the ACC’s invaluable contributions. “ACC is an institution that actively participates in all OGP-related activities,” she noted, underscoring the collaborative efforts to foster transparency and integrity within government.
Together, these leaders are paving the way for a more transparent, accountable, and engaged governance framework, ensuring that citizen voices are heard and valued in the fight against corruption.
