By: Abdulai Saccoh, Senior Public Education Officer
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has ended a five-day Mid-Term Review and Training sessions for staff of its Project Unit. The engagement sought to evaluate the operational efficiency of the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM), one of the components of the Productive Social Safety Net and Youth Employment (PSSNYE) project. The review ended on Wednesday 21st May 2025 at the Conference Hall of Nabs Village, Nyagohun Junction in Bo.
Giving the closing remarks, the Commissioner of ACC, Francis Ben Kaifala Esq., highlighted the importance of the Commission’s work of instilling integrity and transparency in the implementation of the PSSNYE project. He said the gains already made should be built on in order to deal with any acts of dishonesty which might hinder the implementation of the project.
Mr. Kaifala said despite the fact that the ACC is the only institution whose performance was rated as “Satisfactory” by the World Bank during the last Mid-Term Review of the PSSNYE project, the Commission is required to do more work and avoid complacency.
He said that, with such progress, the ACC cannot settle for less, adding that this requires the collective efforts of staff to continue to work diligently to attain the best position in the next Work Bank review meeting. He said that the Commission’s involvement in the project is strongly rooted from its determination to take all the necessary steps to protect public resources, especially those meant for vulnerable groups, who are the main beneficiaries of the PSSNYE project.
The ACC Commissioner set out a number of plans which will enhance not only the efficiency of the GRM but also improve on the project outcomes, such as to develop a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) with clearly defined roles for staff, reporting line, assigned duty timelines and how the ACC should work with other partners.
He also authorized for the setting up of an investigation taskforce that will specifically handle corruption matters reported or referred to the Commission. He admonished the participants not to focus their energy on other partners’ responsibilities but rather on their own work as required by the project design.
Mr. Kaifala urged the participants to be aggressive and accountable for their action as a show of commitment to their work. “No one wants to lay-off staff but if the situation demands this due to the ineptitude of the individual then the proper action will be taken,” he ended.
In his statement, ACC’s Deputy Commissioner, Augustine Foday Ngobie, emphasized the need to employ a sustained but strategic approach in dealing with matters relating to the PSSNYE project. He guaranteed that all of the issues which the Commissioner has set out will be put into practise immediately.
Also in attendance for the review were ACC’s Coordinator of Operations Patrick Sandi, GRM Coordinator Patrick Morovia, Deputy Director of Investigation and Intelligence Joseph B. Noah, Southern Regional Director Momodu Sittar, and staff of the Project Unit.
