By: Tommy Sidikie
On a sunny Wednesday, September 18, 2024, a delegation from Cameroon’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) arrived in Freetown, Sierra Leone. Their mission was clear: to uncover the secrets behind Sierra Leone’s successful anti-corruption strategies.
Led by Public Relations Assistant Alex A. Bah, the team met with Inspector General of Police, William Fayia Sellu, at his George Street office. Madam Irene Morikang Tche, head of the Prevention and Communication Division of Cameroon’s National Anti-Corruption Commission, represented the chairman.
“We’re here to learn from your experiences,” Madam Tche explained. “We’re developing a new anti-corruption law and want to understand how your ACC collaborates with law enforcement agencies.” Ben Kelfala, Head of Sierra Leone’s ACC, had sparked their interest during a Commonwealth meeting in Ghana.
IGP Sellu warmly welcomed the delegation and shared the Sierra Leone Police’s commitment to combating corruption. “We’re autonomous, but accountable,” he emphasized. “Our officers are subject to national laws and disciplinary regulations.”
The delegation learned about two key platforms for cooperation between the Sierra Leone Police and ACC: the Integrity Management Committee and the West Africa Police Information System. These facilitated joint operations and information sharing.
As the meeting concluded, IGP Sellu stressed the importance of collaboration. “Together, we can make a difference,” he said. The delegation left with valuable insights, eager to implement them in Cameroon.
