1. Posted on Tuesday 2 September 2008 - 17:09

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   Murtala

   

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   Murtala Mohamed Kamara, Africanews reporter in Freetown, Sierra Leone

   The assets of the President of Sierra Leone, Ernest Koroma, have been made public as part of moves to fight corruption, a statement from the state house revealed. He perhaps becomes the first African president to declare his assets. The act follows the passage of the new anti-corruption bill of 2008.

   

   The new Bill, which was signed by the president, gave extensive powers to the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), a body which was set up by former President Kabba to fight corruption in the country.
   
   A press release from state house on Monday, said the president’s action was a clear indication of his Government’s commitment to remove the ‘cancer’ of corruption in Sierra Leone. An act, which is unusual of most African presidents.
   
   “This is unique not only for the sub-region but for Africa as a whole. And it is a clear message that this cancer must be taken seriously,” he emphasized.
   
   The President said he was fulfilling a long desire he had even before taking over the reins of government. President Koroma said if his government succeeded in reducing corruption and leakages in revenue collection, Sierra Leone would have no business begging for loans and aid abroad.
   
   Speaking in an interview, the Presidential Affairs Minister Mr. Alpha Khan, said the act is a long promised commitment by the president during his campaigning periods. He said, “his (president) action is a commitment in weeding out corruption in Sierra Leone.”
   
   The new law now makes it mandatory for all public officials, including ministers, heads of para-statetals to declare their assets before assuming power.
   
   It could be recalled that President Koroma won the last presidential election nearly a year ago in a tight race which was fought with the then ruling Sierra Leone’s People’s Party. During his inaugural speech the president assured Sierra Leoneans that the fight against corruption will be his Government paramount priority among other things.

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Reactions

1. Posted on Wednesday 03 September 2008 11:11

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   neuafrika

   

   
   1 berichten
   Lid sinds September 2008

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   Point of correction: Nigeria's leader Umaru Musa Yar'adua declared his assets publicly on assumption of office in 2007. So Mr Koroma is not the first African leader to do so.
   However, this is an impressive trend and needs to be encouraged among African leaders.

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