ACC Commissioner Encourages Traditional Leaders to Lead Anti-Corruption Drive

March, 2026, all ten Paramount Chiefs of Koinadugu District demonstrated unity and commitment to public integrity by attending a high-level engagement with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) at the District Council Hall. The meeting was part of ACC People’s Commissioner Francis Ben Kaifala’s ongoing “Meet the People Tour,” which aims to enlist traditional authorities as frontline partners in Sierra Leone’s national anti-corruption campaign.
Commissioner Kaifala used the occasion to make an impassioned plea to chiefs to “sow, nurture, and guard the seeds of integrity and patriotism” in their chiefdoms. He emphasised that Paramount Chiefs wield unparalleled power in local governance and community life, and that as custodians of customs and values, they are critical to sustaining ethical leadership at the grassroots.

“You are at the cutting edge of governance in our communities. You hold the people’s trust and represent the presence of government in your chiefdoms. “You also protect the rich customs, cultures, traditions, and values that bring our communities together,” Kaifala told the assembly. “We recognise the enormous responsibilities you bear under difficult circumstances, and I’ve come here and will travel across the country to express my gratitude for the work you do for Sierra Leone every day.”
The engagement was purposefully practical and educational. The presentation by Commissioner Kaifala and his deputy aimed to clarify key provisions of Sierra Leone’s anti-corruption legal framework for the country’s chiefs, who are key players in the fight against corruption. The ACC leadership used real-world examples to explain the legal framework for gifts and the biannual asset declaration requirement, citing Sections 51, 52, and 119 of the Anti-Corruption Act 2008 (as amended).
Kaifala clarified that the law does not intend to criminalise traditional practices like gift-giving, which are deeply rooted in chieftaincy culture. Rather, the statutory provisions are intended to prevent abuses that could jeopardise public officers or create conflicts of interest. To that end, he emphasised practical safeguards such as the gift register for reporting notable or substantial gifts, as well as asset declaration rules that promote long-term transparency.
“There is no law that prohibits public officials, including our Chiefs, from accepting or giving gifts. Gift-giving is deeply embedded in our chieftaincy traditions. What the law seeks to prevent is the misuse of such gestures in ways that endanger public officials or create conflicts of interest,” Kaifala explained. He added that asset declaration “does not prevent anyone from owning property or engaging in legitimate economic activities; rather, it provides transparency and assists public officials in explaining their wealth whenever necessary.”
The meeting also allowed for interactive dialogue, with chiefs asking questions and sharing thoughts on how to best collaborate with the ACC while maintaining customary practices. The discussion was described as lively and educational, allowing the ACC to clear up misconceptions and reinforce the complementary roles of traditional authority and state institutions in promoting accountability.
Hon. PC Alie Bala Marah III, the Paramount Chief Member of Parliament for Koinadugu District, welcomed the ACC delegation and expressed the chiefs’ gratitude for the outreach. He praised Commissioner Kaifala’s leadership, saying the ACC under his watch has shown “dedication, patriotism, accountability, and impartiality in the fight against corruption.” Hon. PC Marah III encouraged the district’s Paramount Chiefs to support the anti-corruption campaign, citing its importance to Sierra Leone’s development and prosperity.

The Chairman of the Council of Paramount Chiefs, Hon. PC Foday Jalloh III, and other chiefs present expressed their willingness to collaborate with the ACC to ensure transparency at the local level. Their support reflects a growing recognition among traditional leaders of the importance of aligning customary governance with national standards of probity.
The district engagement is part of an ACC strategy to promote community ownership of anti-corruption measures. The ACC prioritises face-to-face engagement with Paramount Chiefs to educate and build trust, ensuring anti-corruption laws are understood and implemented in ways that respect cultural norms and protect the public interest.
The Koinadugu meeting will probably act as a template for similar discussions throughout the nation as the “Meet the People Tour” progresses. These discussions aim to make transparency and accountability tangible realities in chiefdoms across the nation by bridging customary authority and statutory oversight. The chiefs in Koinadugu were promised by the ACC that they would apply the lessons they had learned and cooperate to prevent corruption in their communities.