By: Hope Times News Desk
Discussions on integrity, peacebuilding, and institutional reform took center stage in Freetown as the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) hosted Professor Helen Nambalirwa Nkabala, Director of Africa’s premier Rotary Peace Center, during a formal engagement aimed at strengthening cross-border academic and governance partnerships.
The meeting, held on Monday, 12 January 2026, at Integrity House, formed part of the Commission’s ongoing drive to broaden its professional networks and enhance its preventive approach to fighting corruption. Senior members of the ACC management team, including Directors and Deputy Directors, participated in the session, which focused on leadership ethics, peacebuilding, and institutional capacity.
In welcoming Professor Nkabala, the ACC Commissioner described the visit as a milestone opportunity for the Commission to link its anti-corruption mandate with global best practices in peace and governance studies. He noted that effective corruption prevention requires not only enforcement, but also continuous learning, ethical leadership, and strong partnerships with credible academic institutions. The Commissioner reaffirmed the ACC’s willingness to collaborate with the Rotary Peace Center and Makerere University in research, customized training programmes, and staff development initiatives.
Professor Nkabala conveyed greetings from Makerere University’s leadership, including its Vice Chancellor, Barnabas Nawangwe, and commended the ACC for its consistent efforts to promote accountability and transparency in Sierra Leone. She stressed that universities have a responsibility to work closely with public institutions, explaining that peace and integrity are built through active engagement with communities rather than remaining within academic confines.
She outlined the work of the Rotary Peace Center, noting that it equips professionals with practical skills in mediation, negotiation, and conflict transformation. According to her, these competencies are highly relevant to anti-corruption institutions, particularly in managing institutional conflict, strengthening public trust, and supporting governance reforms.
An interactive dialogue followed, during which Professor Nkabala engaged ACC officials on ethical leadership, institutional resilience, and preventive anti-corruption strategies. She highlighted the contribution of Rotary Peace Fellows from Sierra Leone, describing them as valuable assets in advancing national peacebuilding and governance objectives.
Chairing the session, the Deputy Commissioner of the ACC, Augustine Foday Ngobie, expressed appreciation for the growing partnership between the Commission and Makerere University. He explained that the ACC’s work is anchored on prevention, public education, and enforcement, with prevention remaining a core priority. He identified areas such as asset declaration systems, social safety nets, and accountability mechanisms as sectors where targeted academic collaboration would significantly strengthen institutional performance.
As part of her visit, Professor Nkabala is scheduled to tour the ACC’s Eastern Regional Office in Kenema to gain firsthand insight into regional anti-corruption operations. She will also hold discussions with academic leaders at Eastern Technical University and Fourah Bay College, focusing on doctoral scholarship opportunities, faculty exchanges, and long-term institutional partnerships.
The engagement is expected to deepen cooperation between Sierra Leonean institutions and Makerere University, while reinforcing the link between anti-corruption efforts, peacebuilding, higher education, and sustainable national development.