-Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Acting Director-General, Monica Mwansa has called on African Union (AU) member countries to enact the Whistleblower Protection Legislation.

In a statement issued to ZANIS, on the 8th Africa Anti-Corruption Dialogue of the African Union Advisory Board Against Corruption held in Arusha, Tanzania, where she delivered a presentation virtually, Ms Mwansa stated that an effective whistleblower protection mechanism is a critical tool in the fight against corruption.

Ms. Mwansa added that whistleblowers also play a major role in fighting other unethical behavior in both public and private institutions and are critical in ensuring that organizations and public institutions assume their responsibility towards society.

“‘The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) provides a global framework for addressing corruption and highlights the importance of protecting whistleblowers as part of its anti-corruption strategy,” said Ms Mwansa.

She added that promotion of whistleblower protection under international laws and domestic legislation strengthens international anti-corruption efforts, making it safer for individuals to report corruption.

Ms. Mwansa noted that in the process of whistleblowing, individuals face a number of challenges that range from reprisals and retaliation, legal suits, financial strain arising from loss of employment, personal threats and more.

Mrs. Mwansa also said that Zambia has domesticated the protection of whistleblowers with the enactment of the Public Interest Disclosure (Protection of Whistleblowers) Act No. 4 of 2010 which provides for disclosure of information and the protection of whistleblowers in public and private sectors.