Interview with Denis Joubert, manager of the Prevention and Education Unit at ACCS ‘Prevention is a long-term investment to prevent corruption’ |27 January 2022
Denis Joubert (Photo: Jude Morel
On Tuesday we learned that Seychelles came out first in Africa in the fight against corruption. The 2021 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) issued by Transparency International noted that Seychelles gained four points with a score of 70 out of 100.
To understand the report and its implications, Seychelles NATION had a chat with Denis Joubert, the Prevention and Education manager at the Anti-Corruption Commission Seychelles (ACCS).
According to Section 2 of the Anti-Corruption Act, Corruption means the acts of soliciting, accepting, obtaining, giving, promising, or offering of a gratification by way of a bribe or inducement, or the misuse or abuse of a public office for advantage or benefit for oneself or for another person.
Seychelles NATION: What does the report mean for Seychelles?
Denis Joubert: This year Seychelles did well as we gained four points and climbed in number which is 23. This year three criteria were used to determine this rating and it also reflects the work of ACCS with other agencies during the last five years. We also were judged by our global insights, how the government is functioning and education and prevention on the subject. In the last ten years, Seychelles moved from 18 points and that is a big achievement. The support the government gave to ACCS is being reflected in the report.
Seychelles NATION: How much awareness do you think there is in Seychelles about corruption?
Denis Joubert: Since the creation of the prevention and education section within ACCS, efforts were mainly focused on public-sector corruption and misconduct. We have been working collaboratively with key partners to ensure a coordinated approach. Preventing public sector corruption is a key priority for ACCS. This is done by informing the public sector and the community about the risks and impacts and of ways in which it can be prevented. This year we will also focus on private sectors as they are also a big part of the country.
Seychelles NATION: What is the role of ACCS?
Denis Joubert: The Anti-Corruption Commission of Seychelles (ACCS) was established under the Anti-Corruption Act 2016 which gives it authority to investigate, detect and prevent corrupt practices. It is a self-governing, neutral and independent body which is not subject to the direction or control of any person or authority.
Our role is mainly to eliminate corruption in the country. We enquire into and conduct investigation of offences; file cases on the basis of enquiry or investigation and conduct cases; hold enquiry into allegations of corruption on its own motion or on the application of an aggrieved person or any person on his or her behalf; perform the functions assigned to the Commission by this Act or under any written law; review and recognise provisions of laws for the prevention of corruption and submit recommendations to the President for their effective implementation; raise awareness and promote the values of honesty and integrity among people with a view to prevent corruption; organise seminars, symposiums, workshops on the subjects falling within the functions and duties of the Commission; identify various causes of corruption in the context of socio-economic conditions of the Republic and make recommendations to the President; determine the procedure of enquiry, investigation, filing of cases and also the procedure of according sanction of the Commission for filing cases against corruption; investigate a public officer’s conduct which the Commission has reasonable grounds to believe is connected with corrupt practices; co-ordinate and co-operate, as applicable, with other institutions authorised to investigate, prosecute, prevent and combat corrupt practices so as to implement an integrated approach to the eradication of corruption; consult, co-operate and exchange information with appropriate bodies of other countries that are authorised to conduct inquiries or investigations in relation to corrupt practices; adopt and strengthen mechanisms for educating the public to respect the public good and public interest and, in particular; create awareness for the fight against corruption and related offences; develop educational and other programmes in collaboration with the media; promote an environment for upholding ethics in governance and to disseminate information and sensitise the public about the negative effects of corruption and related offences.
Seychelles NATION: What is the role of the Prevention and Education unit?
Denis Joubert: People need to understand we do not punish but educate. With the ongoing pandemic, we have been quite limited in our prevention and education activities but still managed to go beyond our initial target. There is currently an outcry for these seminars and thankfully we got a lot of support from the ministries.
Like this we were able to host many awareness programmes and we have to acknowledge that prevention is a long-term investment to prevent corruption. In all international organisations, a big element to fight corruption is prevention programmes.
Seychelles NATION: Please tell us more about your education programmes.
Denis Joubert: Many people have a perception of ‘corruption’ and many others have good knowledge of it. Anti-Corruption education is not just about teaching; it is about providing information. Important concepts and values may be transmitted while discussing other topics as well.
This include campaigns, pupil conferences, seminars, symposiums, workshops, debates and developing curriculum for schools and post-secondary institutions. Such will allow them to develop moral attitudes and capabilities necessary to shape the civic anti-corruption attitudes of young people. It will also provide knowledge about the phenomenon of corruption and the problems posed by and ways of dealing with them. In 2021, ACCS ran 19 sessions with five sectors.
Seychelles NATION: What about nepotism, is it corruption?
Denis Joubert: Everybody has to have the right qualification to be employed in a position and all job recruitments should go through the proper channel. When, for example, family members are employed even if they do not have the right qualifications it does create unease in the work environment.
Seychelles NATION: What are the upcoming programmes?
Denis Joubert: Schoolchildren need to know how corruption is eroding our society and social norms. It is very important that young minds get sensitised about corruption so they know how to tackle it when they face such a situation. Equally they need to understand that they are part of the same society which is plagued by corruption, and thus should be part of the change they want to see as they are the future citizens of that same country.
We have also developed our online programmes but we have noticed that not many organisations have the facilities for their staff to follow the online courses.
Our laws are being amended to further crack down on corruption acts. The more prevention programmes we have, the better our score will be.
Seychelles NATION: Are we expecting more cases in the coming months, after the US $50 million case?
Denis Joubert: People need to understand that investigation of a case takes time and people should not be too quick to judge by themselves. Let the Judiciary does its work. We hope with our prevention campaigns, people will become more aware of what corruption is. We do receive many calls and we do direct these people to the right door also as not every complaint is a corruption case. ACCS is here to educate and prevent such acts to happen and we encourage people to write to us on complaints@accsey.com
Make prevention the best of your intention as if you do something wrong, you should know action will be taken against you.
Vidya Gappy