Hon Daniel Brima Koroma, the Deputy Leader of the All People’s Congress (APC) in Parliament, has called for a new decisive and robust legislation to combat corruption.
Hon. Koroma emphasized the need for a united effort from both opposition and governing party lawmakers to address financial mismanagement and the misuse of state resources.
This call comes as the Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee intensifies its nationwide campaign to recover mismanaged or stolen funds.
Hon. Koroma believes that the fight against corruption “must start within Parliament itself.”
He stressed that the support of the entire legislative body is crucial for achieving meaningful progress. According to him, strengthening the legislative framework is the initial step, as current laws are often designed to benefit those in power rather than the country as a whole.
He advocates for laws that are impartial and inclusive, rather than laws that favor the ruling government.
He also expressed concern about the upcoming constitutional review process, noting that while the opposition party has received notifications, it has yet to be included in the review discussions. Hon. Koroma argued that without strong and fair laws, retrieving stolen assets and imposing appropriate penalties will be challenging. He asserted that a solid legislative framework is essential for outlining how to recover stolen funds and properties.
Additionally, Hon. Koroma suggested that accountability bodies, whose leaders are appointed by the president, should have provisions in the laws for their removal if they fail to perform their duties effectively. This measure would ensure that these bodies are held to high standards of accountability.