NMA, ACC Train Newly Recruited Mining Officers on Workplace Integrity

The National Minerals Agency and the Anti-Corruption Commission have completed a one-day ethics and integrity training for newly recruited Assistant Mining Engineers, Geologists and Mines Compliance Officers.

The session was held on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at the NMA headquarters in New England Ville, Freetown, under the theme “Upholding Ethics and Integrity in the Workplace.”

Participants examined issues linked to ethical conduct, accountability, compliance responsibilities, fraud prevention and corruption risks in Sierra Leone’s mining sector. The training formed part of wider efforts by the NMA and ACC to strengthen ethical standards and corruption prevention among agency personnel.

Warning over alleged fraud

During his welcome address, NMA Director General Ing. Hadji Dabo said the mining sector was facing fraud concerns and alleged that some NMA staff had been involved in fraudulent activities.

“We’re having a lot of issues with fraud in the sector and we understand some of our own staff are involved in these nefarious activities,” Dabo said.

He warned that staff found engaging in fraudulent activity could be referred to the police and, where necessary, the ACC. Such action, he said, could end their service with the Agency. Dabo also urged employees to act as “watchmen” by reporting misconduct.

The source did not identify any staff members allegedly involved in fraud and did not report specific investigations, cases or sanctions arising from the training.

Focus on compliance and accountability

Victoria Fumikeh Nicol, the NMA’s Library and Research Manager and focal person for the NMA Integrity Management Committee, said the programme was intended to improve employees’ understanding of relevant laws, compliance obligations, ethical conduct and strategies for preventing corruption.

Nicol said the NMA would not tolerate fraudulent or corrupt practices. Depending on the outcome of investigations, staff found engaging in such conduct could face disciplinary action, dismissal or referral to the appropriate authorities.

Daphre C. A. Winnebah, NMA Compliance and Audit Manager, said agency personnel manage public revenue, resources, information and decision-making processes. She said accountability was therefore essential to protecting the NMA’s reputation.

“Integrity is all about knowing what to do when nobody is watching you; when nobody is there for you to be honest, to be transparent in your dealings, to be accountable in whatever you are doing and to be professional in the conduct of your duties and responsibilities,” Winnebah said.

She added: “Let us make integrity not just a subject for discussion. Let integrity be part of us.”

ACC backs prevention approach

NMA Human Resources Manager Bintu B. Abu said corruption prevention also depended on individual attitudes. She argued that changing people’s mindsets could help prevent wrongdoing and explained that the Agency’s annual engagement with the ACC was intended to educate staff about conduct that might amount to misconduct or corruption, rather than intimidate them.

“It is possible for Sierra Leone to be corruption-free. It is our mindset. If we change our mindset, things could be possible for us,” Abu said.

She also reminded employees that individual misconduct could affect the wider institution, saying, “It is not Bintu; it is the NMA.”

Samuel Marah, ACC Deputy Director of the Prevention Department, commended the NMA for organizing the training. He said ethics and integrity were central to corruption prevention and that combating corruption required more than laws, regulations and institutional controls.

Marah referenced the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008 and its 2019 amendment during the engagement. He said individual attitudes and mindsets also had to be addressed.

Similar sessions had previously been held in Makeni, Bo, Kono and Kenema for newly recruited NMA personnel. Participants were encouraged to apply the lessons from the training in their workplaces, while the ACC reaffirmed its commitment to working with the NMA and other government institutions on anti-corruption initiatives.