By Stephen N. Tokpah
(freelancer)
Some residents of Bong County have vowed to stand by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission and its partners in their fight against corruption.
The citizens believed that continuous training and awareness on corruption and related legislations is the surest way of enlightening the people and empowering them with the requisite knowledge to hold leaders accountable.
They made the commitment at the end of a three-day training on social accountability in Gbarnga, Bong County.
The Bong County Superintendent, Hawa Norris, charging the participants that it is a collective responsibility for everyone to stand up against corruption.
Superintendent Norris assured the local authorities of commitment to transparency and accountability, urging the residents to always report acts of corruption wherever they see it.
The training was under the project titled ‘Empowering Citizens and Communities to Foster Social Accountability and Transparency in Governance and Public Service Delivery’ and implemented by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission with support from the UNDP through the Peacebuilding Fund.
The three-day training provided insights into government’s budget formulation processes and how citizens can influence development in their counties by getting involved in county sittings and holding their leaders accountable for their stewardship.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, Debra Namayan, Lawrence Yallah, and Jestina Teyeah described the training an eye opener, promising to use knowledge acquired to push their local leaders into doing the right things for the advancement of the County and its people.
Earlier during the official opening ceremony, the Executive Chairperson of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission, reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to fighting corruption head-on and restoring the culture of accountability in the country.
Amid recent arrest of some former officials of the Liberian government, the LACC has been making some inroads, drawing some growing praises from the public.
However, Cllr. Alexandra Zoe believes there is no time to rest on any laurels yet, promising that under her leadership at the LACC, there will be ‘no business as usual’ in fighting the menace.
Cllr. Zoe said corruption takes a lot away from Liberia, rallying citizens to stand up and demand greater accountability and transparency from their leaders in the management of the country’s resources.
She clarified that ongoing corruption investigation by the LACC, is not politically motivated as claimed in some quarters and that the LACC is acting on audits conducted by the General Auditing Commission and all the commission’s actions are in line with the law.
Cllr Zoe also disclosed that they have also gathered sufficient information about alleged acts of corruption by current officials of government, which the LACC will put out soon.
She assured the public that the LACC will remain nonpolitical in the implementation of its mandate of preventing, investigating and prosecuting corruption.
The trainings are being conducted nationwide, initially taking place in Bong, Lofa, Grand Cape Mount and Gbarpolu Counties this Month.
The goal is to enlighten Liberians with sufficient information on the anti-corruption crusade, including public education on anti-corruption legislations, such as the Whistleblower Act and the Witness Protection Act, with the hope that Liberians denounce the culture of acceptance and hold public officials accountable for their stewardship.
The three-day workshop which seeks to equip youth and women with the knowledge and skill to participate in youth and women-oriented service delivery at the county and District levels is being held under the theme: “Improving public knowledge through enabling anti-corruption legislation,” with funding from the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund.
