By: Alhaji A.K. Bangura, Senior Communications Officer, ACC
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has concluded a four-day awareness-raising exercise on the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) component of the World Bank-supported Productive Social Safety Net and Youth Employment (PSSNYE) project in the Eastern Region of Sierra Leone.
The engagement sessions took place in various beneficiary communities; Jaiama Town in the Nimikor Chiefdom, Kono District; Korma Town in the Dama Chiefdom, Kenema District; and Mobai Town in the Mandu Chiefdom, Kailahun District, from 6th to 10th May 2025.
In his statement, Senior Communications Officer of the ACC, Alhaji A.K. Bangura, emphasized that the Commission remains committed to ensuring integrity within the implementation of the project so that it achieves its intended purpose. He noted that the project consists of components designed to alleviate poverty and unemployment, targeting the aged, persons with disabilities, youth, and women living in extremely poor communities.
He further assured beneficiaries that the ACC is fully prepared to protect whistleblowers against any form of reprisal.
Also addressing the beneficiaries, Senior Communications Officer Margaret A. Jones admonished them to make judicious use of the cash transfers provided under the PSSNYE project. She reminded them that the funds are meant to enhance their livelihoods and should not be used for unproductive purposes.
Communications Officer Dolly A. Issa reinforced the importance of the scheme and outlined the various channels through which grievances can be reported to the Commission, including the toll-free lines: 077-985985, 077-986986, or 8515 (across all networks).
Local leaders, including Chief Sahr Foday of Jaiama Town and others from Kenema and Kailahun Districts, expressed deep appreciation for the World Bank-supported initiative and the ACC’s efforts to uphold integrity in its implementation. Some community representatives also appealed to the World Bank and the Government to extend the project to benefit more vulnerable people in their respective communities.
