By: Alex A. Bah, Ag. Public Relations Officer, ACC
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has on the 9th April, 2026 at its Integrity House, Tower Hill Freetown, received a significant youth-focused report highlighting the impact of corruption on young people, reinforcing the urgent need for collective action against graft.
The report, titled “Stolen Futures: How Corruption Hurts Young People”, developed with support from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), was formally presented to the ACC’s Coordinator of Operations, Patrick Sandi, by the Executive Director of the Zero Corruption Campaign (ZCC), Elison John.
Speaking during the presentation, Elison John highlighted the strong synergy between ZCC and the ACC, noting that the organization, as a youth-led institution, has consistently collaborated with the Commission in advancing anti-corruption efforts. He explained that the report emanates from a UNODC-led consultative process, where young people were invited to share their lived experiences of corruption through structured feedback. The outcome is a comprehensive, holistic report capturing key findings and practical recommendations. He added that stakeholders were further encouraged to localize the report to reflect national realities and strengthen its impact.
Receiving the document, Mr. Sandi commended ZCC as its partner, for what he described as “very important and timely work,” emphasizing the value of partnerships and alliances in the fight against corruption. He noted that while corruption has long been known to disproportionately affect women and children, there is an emerging and troubling trend of its deepening impact on young people.
He further stressed that the depletion of the country’s youthful population and opportunities is closely linked to corruption, making the report both relevant and urgent. According to him, such a document will serve as a “torchlight,” not only raising awareness but also urging stronger and more coordinated actions to address corruption as a major impediment to the future of young people.
Also speaking, Ibrahim Keketoma Yamba, Deputy Campus Coordinator of ZCC at the Milton Margai Techinical University Congo Cross, expressed appreciation to the ACC for its continued engagement with young people. He underscored that youth are not only the leaders of tomorrow but active stakeholders today, and therefore must be central to anti-corruption initiatives.
The engagement reaffirms the ACC’s commitment to working with youth-led organizations and international partners such as UNODC to confront corruption and safeguard the future of Sierra Leone’s young population.
