The National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS) Secretariat has on Monday 16th July, 2012 concluded one day training of civil society monitors on the implementation of the Revised National Strategy 2011- 2013.
Speaking during the training at the Commission’s Conference Hall Mena Hills Makeni, the Regional Manager ACC North Patrick Sandi maintained that the Commission was taking a deliberate step forward in the fight against corruption in the country. He furthered that corruption still posed a serious threat to the socio-economic growth of the country. Therefore, he pleaded with everyone to support the Commission to eradicate the pandemic.
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| Cross Section of monitors at the training |
The ACC Regional Manager North further encouraged the civil society monitors to be courageous, steadfast and dedicated in their task of monitoring the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) on the progress made so far in the implementation of the Actions Plans contained in the Strategy. “It will not be strange for you to encounter challenges as you carry out your monitoring exercises, as such remain focused” Mr. Sandi stressed.
Highlighting the reasons for the training, the Director NACS Mr. Nabillahi Musa Kamara observed that civil society groups were to take active part in modern day governance issues. He went on to say that the strategy has made the provision for CSOs to monitor the implementation process. The NACS boss outlined the training package including the training objectives.
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| Cross Section of the monitors at the training |
Among the many objectives, Mr. Kamara underscored the point that the training was to improve CSMG’s capacity on the NACS, their role in the implementation process and their understanding of basic monitoring tools.
The Director emphasized that the Commission needed an independent voice in the implementation of the Strategy, for which reason it is training Civil Society Monitoring Groups (CSMGs) to do the monitoring. Mr. Kamara implored all the monitors to strictly abide by the Code of Conduct as it was very critical to their assignment and that any monitor proven to be in breach of the code would be severely penalized.
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| Monitors pose for photo with ACC staff |
Dilating on basic monitoring tools, Samuel Marah Monitoring and Compliance Officer ACC, explained what monitoring is and the various methods of monitoring. Mr. Marah encouraged the monitors to be very objective and observe the reporting structure taught them.
At the plenary session, many monitors shared their experiences during the previous monitoring exercises and the way forward.
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| NACS Director, Nabillahi-Musa Kamara explaining the objectives of the trianing and the code of conduct for monitors |
Giving the vote of thanks, Alimamy Lahai Kamara civil society monitor Kambia District thanked the ACC for the brilliant job, and urged them to ensure that some MDAs at district level give audience to the monitors, when the exercise would have started.
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| Regional Manager, ACC North Patrick Sandi (standing) giving a brief background of the NACS |
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