The meeting, summoned by Honourable Minister Amara Kallon, focused on MoPAPA's role in leading by example within the public service sector and ensuring the Ministry contributes to the overall fight against corruption in governance.
In his welcome address, Minister Kallon reflected on President Bio’s vision to transform the then Ministry of Political and Public Affairs (MPPA), positioning it as a key driver in reforming public administration. He highlighted that this transformation is reflected in Pillar 5 of the 2024-2030 Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP), which focuses on improving governance structures and reducing corruption.
Minister Kallon emphasised that public service administration is central to the functioning of the government and that for MoPAPA to be effective in its mandate, it must lead the charge against corruption. He noted that the Ministry’s efforts in reforming the public service must be aligned with ethical standards to promote accountability and transparency in governance. He also underscored the need to raise awareness about the proper use of public resources, ensuring they benefit all citizens and not just a select few.
The Minister stressed, "As reformers, we must embody the values of the changes we seek to implement. This meeting with the ACC is crucial for understanding the ethical processes and procedures involved in delivering services to the people of Sierra Leone."
During the meeting, Rashid Turay, Director of the Prevention Department at the ACC, clarified that the session was not an investigation but an awareness-raising initiative to prevent corruption. He explained that the focus was identifying potential red flags and reinforcing the ethical practices and integrity required to maintain a corruption-free civil service.
Turay elaborated on the practical steps civil servants can take to prevent corruption, such as leading by example, declaring conflicts of interest, protecting whistleblowers, encouraging audits, and developing codes of conduct. He also outlined the Prevention Department's key functions, which are divided into three central units: the Systems and Process Review Unit, the Policy and Ethics Unit, and the Monitoring and Compliance Unit. These units are tasked with reviewing practices, promoting ethical standards, and monitoring the implementation of anti-corruption recommendations.
The ACC's engagement with MoPAPA was a significant step in the right direction, aligning with the Ministry’s strategic leadership in reforming Sierra Leone’s public service sector. The meeting aimed to enhance ethical standards and promote integrity within the Ministry, which is crucial to the country’s governance and development.
The collaboration between MoPAPA and the ACC is expected to strengthen the country’s public sector reforms and make the fight against corruption a central part of Sierra Leone’s governance system.
Musa Kamara,
SLENA Correspondent
Contact: kaymuzay222@gmail.com / +232 78 155260
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