By: Mada Augustine Ngombu
The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has engaged over 4,000 (four thousand) freshmen of the Milton Margai Technical University on integrity values to tackle corruption through preventive approach.
The event took place during the institution’s orientation ceremony for the 2022/2023 academic year at its Amphitheatre, Goderich campus in Freetown.
Head of the Outreach Unit, at ACC, Musa Jawara told the students that academic malpractice in all its forms is a criminal offence and upon conviction would attract punitive measures. He said jail term of not less than five years or fine of not less than NLE 50 (fifty thousand New Leones) will be levied to persons found wanting of corrupt offenses.
He highlighted the many instances of corruption within universities, such as leakages, cheating, submission of concocted certificates for admission, and sex for grades. He said students are the common factor in all forms of malpractice, who consequently bear the greatest responsibility. He urged them to desist from any such awful scheme.
Jawara also admonished lecturers at the university that, as duty bearers they are bound to be the best possible model for students. He informed them that drawing of impossible questions, or such not taught, coupled with abandoning classes are practices that the commission strongly frowns at, adding that, salaries are not given, but earned.
He further highlighted the dangers of corruption, stating that it will suppress a person’s opportunities, dent an institution’s reputation and prevent the country from having the quality human resource needed to foster growth and development.
“When people can acquire quality education, they can break the cycle of poverty. Education therefore helps to reduce inequalities and to reach gender equality,” he said.
The ACC outreach Unit boss encouraged students to support the fight against corruption by reporting corrupt activities to their authorities. He also urged them to direct same to the ommission, if the authorities are not responsive to those reports.
In welcoming the ACC, the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) at the Milton Margai University, Dr. Mohamed Alie Jalloh, commended the efforts made in raising awareness on corruption and taking the fight to various institutions. He noted that the present leadership of the ACC has increased and heightened the needed consciousness of the Sierra Leonean populace on corruption.
He said that when students have the proper orientation on what corruption is and the corresponding penalties, it will help in addressing the menace, noting that it is a must that they should imbibe the culture of probity and good citizenship.
He assured the commission of the university’s unwavering support and commitment to the anti-corruption campaign.
The assistant Public Relations Officer (PRO) at the ACC, David Yusuf Kabia, updated the students on the activities and positive strides made by the commission in tackling corruption in the country.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online (25/11/22)
