By Abubakarr Turay
The President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, His Excellency Brigadier (Rtd.) Dr. Julius Maada Bio has expressed his deepest gratitude and appreciation to the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Advisory Board, Management and Staff of the Anti-Corruption Commission for a remarkable job in the fight against corruption. The President was speaking while receiving the Commission’s Annual Report for 2025 on Wednesday, 17th September 2026 at State House in Freetown.
President Bio described the fight against corruption as an uphill task, especially so when corruption normally fights back. He also acknowledged the challenges often associated with the fight against corruption, including the lack of resources and the threats posed by technology.
The President said amidst all the challenges, the Commission has been able to place Sierra Leone in a very good position in the world. “Once we were known for corruption, but now we are known for our fight against corruption,” he said.
President Bio acknowledged how the Commission’s robust anti-corruption campaign is helping the government in implementing its programmes. “You are not only fighting corruption, but you are also fighting for the vulnerable people in the country. You are not raising revenue like the NRA, but you are helping in protecting public revenue. This has helped us in sending millions of kids to school,” he said.
The President described corruption as an enemy of the State and noted that he is however greatly satisfied with the way the ACC Commissioner and team have worked to combat the scourge, noting “You have done us proud.”
Earlier, while presenting the Commission’s 2025 Annual Report, the ACC Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala Esq., reechoed the importance of political will in the fight against corruption, something he said he has always enjoyed from the presidency.
The Deputy Commissioner of the ACC, Augustine Foday Ngobie, said the presentation of the Annual Report was in fulfilment of the Commission’s statutory obligation under Section 19(1) ofthe Anti-Corruption Commission Act No. 12 of 2008, as amended in 2019. He highlighted some of the major achievements of the Commission in 2025, including an unprecedented 99.54percent asset declaration compliance rate, a 92 percent conviction rate and the recovery of over NLe23,000,000.
