Sierra Leone Parliament Fully Empowers Anti-Corruption Commission

Amendment Bill, 2019

By Sylvester Samba

Dr. Abass Bundu, Speaker of Parliament

The House of Parliament of the Republic of Sierra Leone has passed the Anti-Corruption (Amendment) Act 2019, which is an amendment to the Anti-corruption Act 2008. The Bill, which now awaits assent by the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Brig. (Rtd.) Julius Maada Bio to become Lawfully empowers the ACC to make corruption very expensive, and more efficiently confront corruption at all levels. The Bill, which the ACC Commissioner, Francis Ben Kaifala Esq. referred to as “The People’s Anti-Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2019.” It gives the Commission the authority to prevent the signing of contracts that are not in the national interest.

The objectives of the amendment include the need to review and increase penalties for offenses under the Act; strengthen protection of those who assist the Commission, provide the Commission with alternatives to prosecution, widen the scope of corruption; that the accused offered, solicited, obtained or received in addition to gave, and accepted an advantage. Reduce the year-long requirement that people who cease to be public officers have to file a declaration in respect of their assets. Empower the Commissioner to specify categories of public officers for a declaration by Statutory Instrument published in a Gazette provide administrative sanctions for public officials who fail to submit their Assets Declaration Forms, or knowingly record inaccurate and misleading information. Vest in the Commissioners' power to direct that said 'contracts' not be proceeded.

The Bill was first tabled in Parliament seven months ago passed after legislative stages and committees in Parliament by its Members, specifically on the "contracts clause" following a bi-partisan debate.

The new ACC Act introduces the trial of those accused of corruption in absentia. It limits the scope of a public official to declare their assets and imposes sanctions for non-compliance. Vest in the Commissioners' power to direct that said 'contracts' with elements of corruption in their processing not be proceeded, after agreement with the National Public Procurement Authority.

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) in Sierra Leone has increased its score in the Control of Corruption Indicator in the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Scorecard. Move 71 percent in 2018 to 79 percent in 2019 an 8 percent uptick.

By this year’s report, Sierra Leone is among the top ten performers in income category; number two in Africa; and number one in the Mano River Union. In the 2019 MCC Report, Sierra Leone passed more than 10 of the 20 indicators, including the mandatory “Control of Corruption” indicator...Therefore, Sierra Leone is now “Compact Eligible.” Sierra Leone is now eligible to benefit from the US Government US$600 million (Six Hundred Million Dollars) Compact Fund, as confirmed by an official statement from the ACC.

The MCC is an initiative of the Government of the United States to provide aid to developing countries to fight widespread poverty through economic growth. The MCC scorecard consists of 20 indicators under three broad categories: “Economic Freedom,” “Ruling Justly,” and “Investing in People.” The ‘Control of Corruption’ Indicator falls under the “Ruling Justly” category.

Similarly, Sierra Leone has also scored high in other global and regional anti-corruption rankings. In the Global Corruption Barometer, Sierra Leone ranked 3rd out of 35 African Countries surveyed on “Government’s Effectiveness in the Fight against Corruption.” In this light, the Commission wishes to reassure the general public of its determination to continue to inject integrity and transparency into State governance.