By Amin Kef-Ranger
Francis Ben Kaifala, Commissioner of the Anti Corruption Commission (ACC) was on Wednesday 22nd June, 2022 unanimously elected to serve in the Executive Committee as the West African Regional Representative of the Association of Africa Anti-Corruption Authorities in the just concluded 5th Annual General Assembly meeting at the Royal Palace Hotel, Conference Centre, in Bujumbura, Burundi, East Africa.
The Executive Committee is the second highest body of the AAACA and has the responsibility to take care of the day-to-day affairs of the Association. Currently, the Secretariat of AAACA is in Bujumbura, Burundi.
It is no doubt that Francis Ben Kaifala continues to make Sierra Leone proud, as his unanimous endorsement is a result of the remarkable and exemplary gains he has made and continues to make in the fight against corruption in Sierra Leone which the African continent continues to commend and be proud of. His successes are well known and often referenced on the African Continent.
The erudite legal luminary was 2020 unanimously elected to serve on the Africa Advisory Board on Corruption as a member.
He is also the immediate past President of the Network of Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA).
The three-day 5th Annual General Meeting of the Association of Africa Anti-Corruption Authorities (AAACA) was held at the Royal Palace Hotel, Conference Center, in Bujumbura, Burundi East Africa, which commenced on Monday 20th June 2022.
The Conference among other things emphasized issues of Africa’s Unity and Coordination to combat illicit financial flows, asset recovery, the commemoration of African Anti-Corruption Day on July 11, Adoption of the Association’s Strategic Plan 2022-2026, and the ratification of the Association’s partnerships with GIZ, AfDB, UNODC, and CCUAC.
On the aspect of Asset Recovery, Sierra Leone’s remarkable non-conviction asset-based recovery approach leading to the recovery of over Forty Billion Leones (USD$4M) was showcased at the Conference, which is phenomenal on the African Continent.
The Conference’s high point was the election of the New Executive Committee which will take over the administration and management of the Association.
Important also, the Conference ended with the adoption and publication of the Bujumbura Declaration which contains the key outcomes and position of AAACA arising from deliberations at the Conference in regard to the consolidation of the fight against corruption on the African Continent.
The establishment of the AAACA is in accordance with the AU Convention and seeks to provide a platform for African countries to tackle corruption as well as reinforce and strengthen good governance across the continent.
Furthermore, the existence of the AAACA is in line with the objectives of the African Union to promote good governance, democratic principles, international cooperation, greater unity, and increased solidarity between the African countries and the peoples of Africa.
