FAQ's
Frequently Asked Questions:
1. What is the Anti Corruption Commission of Sierra Leone?
2. When and how was it established?
3. When did the Commission begin operation?
4. What is the Mission of the Commission?
5. What are the main functions of the Commission?
6. What are the working hours of the Commission?
7. How long will the Commission operate for?
8. Who funds the Commission?
9. What does Anti-Corruption Commission logo symbolize?
10. What is the definition of corruption in Sierra Leone?
11. What is an advantage?
12. Can you consider as an act of corruption or sign of appreciation if a public officer received a gift from an individual after a successful performance of duties?
13. What is the mandate of the Commission?
14. What are the main strategies put in place by the Commission to carry out its mandate in the near future?
15. Is the mandate of the Commission to fight corruption limited to government and public authorities only or binds the private sector as well?
16. Does the operation of the Commission cover the whole of Sierra Leone?
17. Do Anti-Corruption laws bind Sierra Leoneans working in our embassies and consulates?
18. Do the Anti-Corruption laws bind non-Sierra Leoneans working for NGOs?
19. Who is a Public Officer?
20. Has the Anti-Corruption Commission the mandate to investigate the President?
21. Are there persons immuned from the investigations of the Commission?
22. Does the Commission cooperate with other agencies in carrying out its mandate?
23. Are the police, military and prison officers excluded from the Anti-Corruption Commission’s mandate?
24. Is Prevention a good strategy to fight corruption?
25. What does a Prevention Officer do?
26. Can the Commission prosecute cases of corruption?
27. Can the Commission arrest and detain corrupt officials on its own?
28. What can the Commission do to retrieve stolen public money stashed away in international banks by convicted corrupt officials?
29. Is protection provided for persons who report cases of corruption to the Commission?
30. Are there penalties for persons who make false reports or mislead the Commission?
31. What will the Commission do if a person or institution refuses to cooperate with its investigations?
32. How many cases has the Anti Corruption Commission successfully investigated and prosecuted since its inception?
33. Is there a special Anti-Corruption Court?
34. Is education important in the fight against corruption?
35. What does the Community Relations unit of the Commission do?
36. How can someone report corrupt practices to the Commission?
37. Can the people trust the Commission to treat their information confidentially?
38. To whom is the Commission mandated to report to on its operations?
39. Is there any reward (financial or otherwise) given to people who expose corruption?
40. Who appoints the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner of the Commission?
41. How are staff recruited in the Commission?
42. Is the Commission an independent body?
43. To which extent has the Anti-Corruption Commission been proactive in its fight?
44. How are the members of the Advisory Committee appointed?
45. What is their role?
46. How can an individual help fight corruption?
47. Some people consider the Anti-Corruption crusade as a witch-hunt against people who fall out of favor with the government. Is this true?
48. Has there ever been an instance where an Anti Corruption Commission Official suffered threat, molestation, physical assault or any other form of restraints in the conduct of his/her official duties?
49. Has Sierra Leone ratified any international convention relating to corruption?
50. Is a public officer under a duty to declare his/her asset?
It is a body established by an Act of Parliament to lead the fight against corruption in Sierra Leone. It was set up by the Anti-Corruption Act 2000 as the government’s response to dealing with corrupt public officials. It is an autonomous body with powers to prevent and investigate reports of corrupt practices by public officials.Back to Top
2:When and how was it established?
It was established in March, 2000.Back to Top
3: When did the Commission begin operation?
The Commission began operations in August 2000.Back to Top
4: What is the Mission of the Commission?
The mission of the Anti-Corruption Commission is the effective prevention and control of corruption in all its forms and at all levels in Sierra Leone.Back to Top
5: What are the main functions of the Commission?
The Commission was established to investigate instances of alleged or suspected corruption whether referred to it or not and to take such steps as may be necessary for the eradication or suppression of corrupt practices; to prevent corruption and to educate, and to enlist and foster public support in the fight against corruption. Back to Top
6: What are the working hours of the Commission?
The normal working week is from 8.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Thursday, and from 8.00am to 4.00pm on Friday. Staff members are required to work for extra hours during the week and on weekends if the exigencies of the job so demands. Back to Top
7: How long will the Commission operate for?
The lifespan of the Commission is not stipulated in the Act. The Commission will operate for as long as it takes to fight corruption in Sierra Leone.Back to Top
8: Who funds the Commission?
The Government of Sierra Leone makes budgetary provision to cover staff costs and to cover part of its operational costs. Over the years, the Commission has received funding from other sources most notably DFID and GTZ. DFID has made immense contribution through exchange visits, training, salary for some international staff and consultants; providing resources to equip the operational costs of the Commission’s departments. The German Government (through GTZ) has also contributed significantly towards the cost of Anti-Corruption Commission’s prevention and community education activities. The Commission recognises the need for it to diversify its funding base..Back to Top
9:What does Anti-Corruption Commission logo symbolize
The Anti-Corruption Commission’s logo has three main features: the National Flag, the Martial Eagle and the Motto. The national flag is included in the logo to buttress the fact that the fight against corruption is a national one. It also signifies the fact that if corruption is conquered the benefits will be realized by all Sierra Leoneans. The green colour in the flag represents agriculture, natural resources and our mountains; the white represents unity, peace and justice and the blue represents our unique natural harbour. The martial eagle, whose head is placed in the center of the logo, is the largest and most powerful eagle of the open savannah. It is often seen perched erect on a tree top waiting for its prey. The Commission’s emphasis in using this species of eagle on its logo is not exactly on her predatory trait; rather, it is on her omniscient nature. On this logo the martial eagle symbolizes an ever-present eye, watching every Sierra Leonean particularly functionaries in both the public and private sectors, as they carry out their varied functions. Back to Top
10: What is the definition of corruption in Sierra Leone?
The mission of the Anti-Corruption Commission is the effective prevention and control of corruption in all its forms and at all levels in Sierra Leone.Back to Top
10 The mission of the Anti-Corruption Commission is the effective prevention and control of corruption in all its forms and at all levels in Sierra Leone.Back to Top
11 The mission of the Anti-Corruption Commission is the effective prevention and control of corruption in all its forms and at all levels in Sierra Leone.Back to Top
12 The mission of the Anti-Corruption Commission is the effective prevention and control of corruption in all its forms and at all levels in Sierra Leone.Back to Top
13 The mission of the Anti-Corruption Commission is the effective prevention and control of corruption in all its forms and at all levels in Sierra Leone.Back to Top
14 The mission of the Anti-Corruption Commission is the effective prevention and control of corruption in all its forms and at all levels in Sierra Leone.Back to Top
15 The mission of the Anti-Corruption Commission is the effective prevention and control of corruption in all its forms and at all levels in Sierra Leone.Back to Top
16 The mission of the Anti-Corruption Commission is the effective prevention and control of corruption in all its forms and at all levels in Sierra Leone.Back to Top
17 The mission of the Anti-Corruption Commission is the effective prevention and control of corruption in all its forms and at all levels in Sierra Leone.Back to Top
18 The mission of the Anti-Corruption Commission is the effective prevention and control of corruption in all its forms and at all levels in Sierra Leone.Back to Top
20 The mission of the Anti-Corruption Commission is the effective prevention and control of corruption in all its forms and at all levels in Sierra Leone.Back to Top
