By Foday Moriba Conteh
With the avowed objective of making Sierra Leone corruption free, the National Commission for Democracy (NCD) has on Thursday 24th October, 2019 signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) at their 9th Floor Conference Room, West Wing Youyi Building Brookfields in Freetown.
Delivering his statement on behalf of the National Commission for Democracy Chairman, Dr. Abu Bakarr H. Kargbo, disclosed how it was warmly welcomed for the Commission to sign another Memorandum of Understanding with the Anti-Corruption Commission, noting that it marks another history making moment for the two governance institutions at a time when the fight against corruption has reached a very critical juncture with the need to take decisive actions and save the very soul of the nation.
He applauded the ACC Commissioner for his current performance with rising hope in the fight against corruption in the country, adding that his passion for the fight against corruption is evident for all to see and such a passion should be contagious and emulated by all in the context of democratic good governance.
Dr. Kargbo said the signing of the MOU is indicative of their sincere desire to continue with the fight against corruption in line with the mandate of NCD for the promotion of democratic good governance with a focus on Transparency and Accountability.
He noted that NCD is as well throwing its weight behind ACC in the fight in the country, a fight that has far-reaching implications for Sierra Leone’s political economy with the imperative to fixing it and making it work in the best interest of every citizen of our beloved motherland. He pledged their unrelenting support to the work of the ACC; ensuring their commitment as a national institution to stand by the ACC in giving and consolidating a clear direction in the fight against corruption.
Commissioner of Anti-Corruption Commission, Francis Ben Kaifala Esq, disclosed that the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two institution is a historic and a renewed commitment to unite against corruption adding that the whole idea of statehood centers around the concept of democracy and NCD being the fulcrum for democratic good governance in Sierra Leone will be a very significant partner in the collaboration to fight against corruption.
“Corruption destroys the fabric of democracy. It ensures that citizens cannot achieve the expectations upon which their constitutionalism and aspirations of statehood rest and guarantees that whatsoever good plans the country has for the collective good can be easily hijacked by individuals and groups, thereby causing the State to fail; and if the State fails, then NCD and the ACC would fail to ensure that democracy flourishes so citizens can enjoy a life of dignity in a country of happiness,” he maintained.
He commended that the National Commission for Democracy for their unrelenting commitment and support to the Anti-Corruption Commission.
He disclosed that the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding amongst other things will foster understanding on the principles of collaborative engagement and partnership between the two institutions. According to the MOU, the Anti-Corruption Commission and National Commission for Democracy will complement each other’s efforts in the fight against corruption, especially in areas where their respective mandates are interrelated; collaborate in sensitizing and educating the public on issues anchoring on the nexus between the fight against corruption and the promotion of democratic good governance; and synergize to promote and instill patriotism in citizens.
Commissioner National Commission for Democracy -Northern Region Mr.John Bai Conteh underscoring the purpose of the MOU lauded the partnership and further described the two commissions as twin crops put together to promote solid good governance practices that will harness the dividends of democracy in Sierra Leone, adding that they have carefully observed each other and have come to the critical conclusion that, they are in fact, two sides of the same coin, and that in the pursuit of their respective mandates, it would be better to coalesce so as to complement each other.
