Remarks by the UN Resident Coordinator at the Ministry of Fisheries & Marine Resources Corruption Risk Mitigation Plan Workshop.

Honourable Minister of Fisheries & Marine Resources, Mrs. Princess Dugba,

Commissioners and Members of the Anti-Corruption Commission,

Representatives of other state institutions,

Colleagues from the UN and civil society organizations,

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, 

I am Babatunde Ahonsi, the UN Resident Coordinator in Sierra Leone, and I am honoured to be here today, on behalf of the United Nations, to warmly welcome you all to this important workshop to develop a Corruption Risk Mitigation Plan for the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources.

I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the Government of Japan for its generous financial support, which has made this workshop possible. I thank the Anti-Corruption Commission for its support and wish to commend it for its continued efforts to prevent and combat corruption in Sierra Leone. Let me also thank the IOM for the collaboration in the implementation of the Joint Programme under the UN Trust Fund for Human Security.

The fisheries sector in Sierra Leone is of paramount importance for the country's social and economic development while also ensuring food security for its population. With its extensive coastline stretching for 570 kilometres and a continental shelf covering almost 30,000 square kilometres, the fishing waters of Sierra Leone are an essential national asset. Notably, fish serves as a primary source of protein, accounting for over 80% of the population's animal protein intake. Beyond its nutritional significance, the fisheries sector directly employs around 500,000 people and is generating annual revenues exceeding Le80 billion, which counts for approximately 12 percent of the country's GDP.

 

corruption is pervasive in all sectors and poses significant threats to biodiversity and the health of ecosystems, as well as to the livelihoods of fishing communities and of the population as a whole. Given the importance of the fisheries sector for both communities and the nation's economic and social development, it is imperative that we address corruption, which enables criminal activities and diverts crucial public funds.

This workshop is organized under the framework of the project entitled "Enhanced Resiliency for Communities Impacted by COVID-19 and Other Crises," implemented jointly by UNODC and IOM in Sierra Leone. The aim of the project is to enhance the government and communities' capacity to address public health challenges and improve livelihoods, with a particular focus on enhancing food security by combating illegal activities within the fisheries sector.

To support efforts to prevent and counter corruption in the fisheries sector, UNODC conducted a value chain analysis aimed at identifying vulnerabilities to crime along the fisheries value chain. This was followed by a first corruption risk assessment workshop with the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, which was held in March 2023 and aimed at identifying corruption risks, such as weaknesses in regulatory frameworks and institutional processes that can facilitate corrupt practices. The second phase, which brings us here today, involves validating the corruption risks identified in March and developing corruption mitigation strategies that will form the basis of the Ministry’s Corruption Risk Mitigation Plan.

The United Nations system will continuously endeavour to effectively reduce corruption in all its forms. Exactly 20 years ago, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the United Nations Convention against Corruption and entrusted UNODC to be its guardian. In 2004, Sierra Leone ratified the convention, showing its commitment to the fight against corruption. The work that will be carried out during these three days, among many other initiatives, highlights Sierra Leone’s strong dedication to preventing and combating corruption in all its forms. These efforts also play a crucial role in achieving the Agenda 2030 and the sustainable development goals.

I am pleased to note that the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources is the first institution in Sierra Leone that is undergoing, with the support of the Anti-Corruption Commission and UNODC, corruption risk management. The Ministry has demonstrated its commitment and strong efforts to safeguard the fisheries sector from corruption, demonstrating leadership in this endeavour.

We anticipate that this undertaking will complement existing anti-corruption efforts and will lead to the development and implementation of new strategies to address corruption risks within the MFMR. As we embark on this crucial workshop, let us keep our overarching goal in mind: to enhance Sierra Leone's resilience against food insecurity by securing a fisheries sector free from corruption. In doing so, we are not only securing the industry's future but also contributing to the well-being and prosperity of the people of Sierra Leone.

Thank you for your attention, and I eagerly anticipate productive discussions and collaborative efforts throughout this workshop. Let us stand united in the fight against corruption and ensure the sustainable development of Sierra Leone's fisheries sector.