See also:
» 22.02.2010 - UN names Sierra Leone’s tribunal prosecutor
» 11.01.2010 - Sierra Leone government bans logging
» 04.12.2009 - Sierra Leone gets $4.0 million for reforms
» 23.11.2009 - S/Leone’s plan to enlist youth into police scorned
» 26.10.2009 - Tribunal up-holds sentence for 3 former rebels
» 15.09.2009 - Sierra Leone's peace needs time, UN official
» 03.09.2009 - Sierra Leone players must step up efforts, Ban
» 04.02.2009 - Illicit drugs could reverse S Leone peace - UN











Sierra Leone
Politics | Economy - Development | Society

S. Leone enacts anti-graft law

afrol News, 2 September - Sierra Leonean president Ernest Bai Koroma has apended his signatures on a bill that gives extensive powers to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to combat the entrenched and institutionalised corruption in the country.

Reiterating his government's resolve to remove what he calls "cancer" from his country, President Koroma decribed the development as "unique not only for the sub-region but for Africa as a whole. And it is a clear message that this cancer must be taken seriously," he vows.

"As leader of the opposition in the last parliament, we made our position clear that the ACC Act 2000 was most welcome but not strong enough, not independent enough to carry out the fight against corruption in an effective manner," he says, recalling his marathon campaign stance that the anti-corruption commission must be accorded "greater authority and independence."

"In less than a year in office, I have succeeded in not only reviewing the law but putting in place the Anti-Corruption Strategy Paper through its committee," he boasts, believing a success on corruption fight is capable of removing the diamond-rich country from begging for loans or aid.

Koroma, who ascended to power last year after defeating the former ruling Sierra Leone People's Party candidate Solomon Berewa, has declared his assets and handed over his declared assets form to the ACC commissioner Abdul Tejan Cole on Monday.

While exhorting all Sierra Leoneans to "read and become conversant with the ACC Act," President Koroma says "it is now mandatory for all public servants to declare their assets to the commission."

He is confident that the Act will help bring down corruption, encourage justice and prevent untold damages to the country's economy.

After months of debates and arguments, the ACC commissioner was delighted that the act finally gets presidential assent. He said since the commission has been given prosecutorial powers and enter into international co-operations, "there will be no hiding place not only for corrupt Sierra Leoneans but for foreigners who engage in corrupt practicees in Sierra Leone."

The new law has imposed stiffer penalties on corruption-related offences as well as accommodates compensations and protection for whistle-blowers.

Mr. Cole praises president Koroma for turning his words into deeds in the fight against corruption in a country that has emerged out of a 10-year brutal civil war in which hundreds of innocent civilians had had their arms and limbs cut off, killed, maimed and killed by rebels.


- Create an e-mail alert for Sierra Leone news
- Create an e-mail alert for Politics news
- Create an e-mail alert for Economy - Development news
- Create an e-mail alert for Society news


 
    Printable version

On the Afrol News front page now


UN will not monitor human rights in Western Sahara

afrol News - The US has backed down on its demand that UN peacekeepers in Moroccan-occupied Western Sahara also shall monitor the human rights situation after Moroccan sources threatened to scale down relations with Washington.
Central African Republic
Central African Republic falling apart

afrol News - One month after the rebel movement Séléka took over power in the Central African Republic, unrest is spreading in the country. The new leader lacks control of his forces, which continue looting and abusing civilians.
Kenya
Kenyatta secures tight victory in Kenya

afrol News - The official election results in Kenya have finally been announced, and Uhuru Kenyatta managed to win the first poll round outright with a narrow 50.7 percent. But the main opponent, PM Raila Odinga, is filing a vote rigging complaint to the courts.
Cape Verde
Cape Verde to produce dragon fruit

afrol News - Cape Verde authorities have invested large sums to diversify the arid country's agricultural sector. Now, the dragon fruit, originating in tropical America, is being introduced for the first commercial production in Africa.
Egypt
Even governors in Pharaonic Egypt died in their 20s

afrol News - Researchers have analysed more than 200 mummies from ancient Egypt, finding that even high dignitaries were poorly nourished and had infectious diseases. The typical governor in Pharaonic Egypt died before he was 30 years old.



front page | news | countries | archive | currencies | news alerts login | about afrol News | contact | advertise | español 

©  afrol News. Reproducing or buying afrol News' articles.

   You can contact us at mail@afrol.com