ACC - BO REGIONAL OFFICE

ANTI-CORRUPTION COMMISSION

BO REGIONAL OFFICE

The Anti-Corruption Commission opened its first Regional Office in Bo on 15^th October 2004. The ceremony was performed by President Alhaji Dr Ahmed Tejan Kabbah. The office had a humble beginning. Up to July 2005 it was only serving as a Report Centre for the Commission. In July 2005, a four man team was sent by the Management on a special mission to this office. Their mandate was to make an assessment of the office and make recommendations on the way forward. The report presented by the Team necessitated the formation of Special Assignment Team (SAT). The SAT’s mandate was to carry out operational work in the region. The Team was made up of one Officer each from each department viz Corruption Prevention, Community Relations, Investigation and Intelligence.

The SAT worked relentlessly to make the presence of the Anti-Corruption Commission felt in the region. The team built alliances with eighteen (18) different groups and garnered support for the Commission through out the region. As a result of the huge success scored by the SAT the management decided that this team should be transformed to become the first permanent operational staff of the Bo Regional Office in March 2006. This team included Desmond R Johnson, Senior Community Relations Officer, Martin Massaquoi Senior Prevention Officer, Patrick Sandi, Investigating Officer, Joseph Noah, Intelligence Officer and Sampha Koroma, Driver. Desmond Johnson was also to serve as Officer-in-Charge of the Regional Office. Martin Massaquoi however resigned his post in May 2007 and Sampha Koroma went on terminal leave in February, 2008.

The Bo Office is gradually changing the hearts and minds of people in this region away from corruption. The radio programmes, public lectures, as well as face-to-face contact in the form of Community Meetings that Officers are having with the public has yielded very good dividend for the Commission. The public not only knows now what corruption is and its effects but also is gradually mobilizing strong opposition to it.

We believe that changing people’s attitude and behaviour cannot be spontaneous. But through hard work and enthusiasm we will gradually reach our goal.

The Bo Alliance Groups

1. Bo District Human Right Committee

2. Sierra Leone Police

3. National Accountability Group

4. Petty Traders and Market Women Association

5. Motor Drivers and Bike Riders Association

6. Campaign for Good Governance

7. Civil Society Movement

8. Bo District Youth Council

9. Women’s Forum

10. Amalgamated Youth Movement

11. Sierra Leone Teachers Union

12. Network Movement for Justice and Development

13. Inter-Religious Council

14. Office of national Security

15. Talking Drum Studio

16. SLBS 96.5 FM

17. Kiss 104 FM

18. Bo Town Council and Bo District Council

Integrity Clubs

1. Bo Government Secondary School

2. Ahmadiyya Secondary School

3. Queen of the Rosary Secondary School

4. St Andrews Secondary School