By Grace Q. Bryant
Senator Amara Konneh has disclosed that the battleground of corruption often lies within the Legislature.
He made the disclosure at the launch of the 55th Legislature’s public hearings into the Auditor General’s Reports on Monday, July 15, at the Capitol Building.
Emphasizing the need for robust interventions to prevent unethical behavior, Senator Konneh stated that transparency and accountability must be the hallmark of the day.
“We must have systems in place at the legislature that can be fully audited,” he asserted.
Senator Konneh expressed several concerns regarding the state of transparency and accountability in the government.
He praised the nearly complete Senate system audit and announced that discussions are underway with the General Auditing Commission (GAC) to conduct a larger audit of the House of Representatives.
Refuting claims that the legislature takes an overwhelming share of public resources, he pointed out that other government sectors also manage significant funds.
“This is where you come in,” he said, addressing the integrity institutions present.
Highlighting the significance of timely action in addressing suspected crimes, Konneh stated, “If there’s a suspicion of a crime, the Ministry of Justice and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LCC) should be immediately notified.”
He urged integrity institutions to report any inappropriate behavior without fear of the executive branch.
Konneh also criticized the trend of prematurely leaking audit information on social media, which can unfairly tarnish individuals’ reputations.
“We must use this system and develop a system that is fair to all and plays by one set of rules,” he said. “We support what you do, we congratulate you, and we will always stay with you.”
The senator acknowledged the challenges faced by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) regarding budget constraints and assured that the legislature is committed to providing the necessary support.
“This committee has the biggest budget because we want to see results,” he noted. “The legislature should set an example for transparency and accountability.”
Senator Konneh revealed that the Senate had invited the GAC to assess its financial management system, which had been concluded, and a report had been received.
The Senate agreed to implement the recommendations and open itself to audits within the next two years.
“If the Legislature is not audited, it is difficult for us to ensure our oversight or for other institutions to be accountable,” he remarked.
Senator Konneh urged the PAC to work diligently and timely, as their findings could lead to legislative and executive actions.
He emphasized the importance of continuous support from all institutions involved in governance and reiterated the commitment to transparency and accountability in public financial management.
The session marks the beginning of a series of hearings set to examine over 180 audit reports produced by the Auditor General over the past three years.
These reports aim to uncover how public money was spent and ensure that those responsible for financial improprieties are held accountable.
“This is about reform, this is about governance,” Konneh stated. “We will do our best to ensure that justice is served and that our governance system is strengthened.”
