The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Sierra Leone has issued a stern warning against the growing trend of compelling Public Servants to sign questionable “Oaths of Secrecy and Confidentiality.”

Commissioner Ben Kaifala highlights concerns over the coercive and punitive nature of these oaths, suggesting they may be illegal tools aimed at suppressing whistleblowing and dissent against maladministration and corruption.

The ACC notes that certain Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in Sierra Leone are imposing these oaths on their staff without valid legal, health, security, or fiduciary justifications. While ostensibly introduced to protect sensitive information, the broad drafting of these oaths raises serious questions about transparency, accountability, and ethical conduct within public institutions.

Commissioner Kaifala emphasizes that such oaths, when broadly applied, act as a “gag” on staff, potentially undermining transparency and accountability. The ACC contends that this proliferation of secrecy documents is a deliberate attempt to evade public scrutiny and accountability, hindering employees from speaking out on matters of public concern.

The press release cautions that these secrecy documents cannot supersede Sierra Leonean laws and may be considered evidence of an intentional failure to adhere to established processes and procedures, suggesting corruption and an abuse of authority. The ACC also highlights the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008, which imposes severe consequences for any retaliation against whistleblowers.

In light of these concerns, the ACC strongly advises against both the creation and signing of these oaths by staff in non-sensitive institutions. The Commission underscores the importance of upholding professionalism, ethics, and responsibility in public service, urging public officers not to be coerced into silence regarding issues that impact the public interest.