By Kadijatu Bangura, D.S. Reporter
Freetown, November 18, 2025 — Augustine Foday Ngobie, Deputy Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Sierra Leone, has called on newly inducted Paramount Chiefs to serve with vigilance, fairness, and integrity as they lead their communities. His remarks were made during the chiefs’ induction training ceremony organized by the Local Government Ministry at the Youyi Building on November 13, 2025.
Representing the ACC Commissioner, Ngobie congratulated the traditional leaders on their new roles, emphasizing that their appointments symbolize not just recognition of their leadership but also a significant national responsibility.
“In our cultural and administrative history, the institution of chieftaincy plays crucial traditional, judicial, political, cultural, and administrative roles. You are the embodiment of our people’s hopes and aspirations. Your actions, and even inactions, set the standard for the youth and the community at large,” he stated.
Ngobie urged the chiefs to view themselves as more than custodians of tradition; they must act as frontline warriors against corruption, which he described as a primary threat to the nation’s well-being. He noted that corruption undermines essential services, denies opportunities to the youth, erodes public trust, and degrades community dignity.
“We are engaged in a war against corruption, a war we did not choose but one thrust upon us,” Ngobie declared. “Those who steal from the people of Sierra Leone are enemies of our collective survival. We must not remain passive.”
The Deputy Commissioner emphasized that winning the fight against corruption requires united leadership rooted in integrity and accountability. He called upon the Paramount Chiefs to be vocal opponents of corruption within their chiefdoms, acting as whistle-blowers and champions of transparency in managing community resources.
Ngobie highlighted the dual role of Paramount Chiefs, noting their influence at both chiefdom and national levels. He reminded them that their positions come with the responsibilities of public office, governed by the laws outlined in the Anti-Corruption Act (ACA) No. 12 of 2008.
He referenced specific sections of the Act prohibiting public officers from abusing their positions or soliciting gifts for corrupt purposes, stressing the importance of integrity in their roles.
“As public officers, you must declare any gift valued at Le500 or more,” he urged, reiterating the Commission’s commitment to collaborating with traditional leaders in the fight against corruption.
The training for the newly crowned Paramount Chiefs aligns with the Local Government Ministry’s ongoing efforts to enhance the capacity of local authorities, promoting effective service delivery and people-focused leadership.
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