ABC-Development Builds Councillors’ Capacity on Anti-Corruption, Reporting and Accountability

ABC-Development conducted a two-day capacity-building training for newly elected councillors on anti-corruption policies, best practices, reporting processes and referral pathways.

The activity was implemented under the project “Supporting Gender Equality and Social Accountability through a Strengthened Civil Society in Kambia District,” funded by the European Union through Trocaire, the lead partner for the consortium.

The training brought together 32 participants, comprising 17 women, 15 men and 1 person with a disability. Participants included newly elected councillors, Community of Practice representatives, representatives from young women in governance networks and council representatives.

The training provided an important opportunity to strengthen the knowledge and capacity of local leaders to understand anti-corruption mechanisms, respond appropriately to corruption concerns and effectively communicate relevant information to their constituents.

The primary purpose of the training was to equip newly elected councillors with knowledge of anti-corruption policies, best practices, reporting mechanisms and referral pathways.

The training also sought to support councillors in effectively carrying out their responsibilities within their respective wards and strengthening accountability between local authorities and communities.

The engagement contributes to the broader project goal of strengthening civil society and promoting women’s empowerment and meaningful participation in democratic governance and development.

The training covered a broad range of anti-corruption and accountability issues, including:

• Anti-corruption policies and institutional operations;

• Corruption prevention;

• Systems, practices and procedures;

• Investigation processes;

• Corruption-related offences;

• Reporting procedures;

• Reporting mechanisms;

• Confidentiality and witness protection;

• False reporting and applicable sanctions;

• Incentives for reporting corruption;

• Institutions responsible for receiving reports and making referrals;

• Referral pathways; and

• Practical approaches to addressing corruption concerns.

The sessions provided participants with both conceptual knowledge and practical guidance on how corruption-related concerns can be reported and referred through appropriate channels.

Participants actively engaged throughout the training and contributed to discussions around accountability, corruption prevention and reporting.

The training achieved several important outcomes:

• Women councillors and other targeted participants actively participated in the sessions.

• Participants gained improved knowledge of anti-corruption policies and practices.

• Participants developed a better understanding of reporting mechanisms and referral pathways.

• Participants were introduced to measures for protecting confidentiality and witnesses.

• Participants gained knowledge that can be shared with constituents to strengthen community awareness of anti-corruption mechanisms.

• The participation of women and a person with a disability reinforced the importance of inclusive representation in local governance.

The training therefore contributed to strengthening the capacity of local leaders to promote transparency, accountability and responsible governance within their communities.

The strong participation of women councillors is particularly significant to ABC-Development’s commitment to promoting women’s voice, influence and participation in democratic governance.

Supporting women to occupy and effectively perform leadership roles can contribute to more inclusive decision-making and ensure that issues affecting women and vulnerable groups receive greater attention within local governance structures.

The participation of persons with disabilities also reinforces the importance of ensuring that governance and accountability processes are accessible and inclusive.

The training will be followed by additional activities designed to strengthen community engagement and sustain the knowledge gained.

Planned activities include:

1. Familiarisation and formation meetings with Community of Practice (COP) groups.

2. Familiarisation and formation meetings with young women in governance networks.

3. Project district-level launch and engagement activities.

4. Radio discussions and production of awareness jingles.

5. Regular follow-up and monitoring of project activities.

These activities will provide additional opportunities for councillors, women’s networks, civil society actors and communities to continue discussing accountability and governance issues.

The training represents an important investment in strengthening the capacity of newly elected councillors to understand and promote anti-corruption, transparency and accountability.

By equipping local leaders with knowledge of reporting mechanisms, referral pathways and best practices, ABC-Development is supporting stronger connections between local authorities and the communities they serve.

The initiative also demonstrates the importance of ensuring that women and persons with disabilities are meaningfully represented and supported within local governance structures.

ABC-Development remains committed to strengthening civil society, promoting gender equality and supporting accountable, transparent and inclusive governance in Kambia District and Sierra Leone.

Project: Supporting Gender Equality and Social Accountability through a Strengthened Civil Society in Kambia District Funding: European Union, through Trocaire Implemented by: ABC-Development