The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) of Sierra Leone has begun implementing the Whistleblower and Witness Protection Regulations, 2025, a new legal framework aimed at protecting individuals who report corruption or testify in corruption-related cases.
The regulations, made pursuant to the Anti-Corruption Act of 2008 as amended in 2019, are intended to shield whistleblowers and witnesses from intimidation, threats, and other forms of retaliation.
The ACC said eligible persons can apply formally for protection, with the Commission required to respond within set timelines and authorized to introduce emergency measures where there is an immediate risk to life or property.
Under the new framework, beneficiaries will enter into binding protection agreements with the ACC. These agreements may provide for physical security, relocation, or concealment of identity, depending on the level of risk involved. Special protective arrangements are also предусмотрed for children, subject to the approval and supervision of the High Court.
The regulations further address compensation and accountability. Whistleblowers who experience demotion, discrimination, or other workplace reprisals as a result of reporting corruption are entitled to compensation. At the same time, individuals convicted of retaliating against whistleblowers or witnesses face stiff sanctions, including mandatory removal from public office.
In addition, the framework introduces a reward system to incentivize the reporting of corrupt practices, a move the ACC says is aimed at promoting integrity and strengthening accountability across public institutions.
According to the Commission, the regulations underscore Sierra Leone’s commitment to protecting those who speak out against corruption while ensuring that acts of retaliation are decisively punished.
The measures are also aligned with international obligations under the United Nations Convention Against Corruption and the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, both of which require effective safeguards for witnesses and reporting persons.
The ACC said the enforcement of the regulations is expected to enhance the country’s anti-corruption architecture and improve public confidence in accountability institutions.
The full regulations are available on the Commission’s official website.
The Commission also acknowledged the contributions of stakeholders involved in developing the framework and reaffirmed its resolve to safeguard whistleblowers and witnesses as part of its broader anti-corruption mandate.
