By Bill W. Cooper
The Chairperson of the Liberia Anti-corruption Commission (LACC), Alexandra Zoe, is calling on the global anti-corruption community to close ranks with youth in combatting and preventing corruption globally.
Cllr. Zoe has also called on leaders of today to pass on the baton of leadership to the next generation of leaders with legacies of integrity, transparency, accountability, and good governance.
She spoke Friday, December 15, 2024, at a program marking the official observance of the 2024 International Anti-Corruption Day (IACD) in Monrovia.
This year’s celebration is being held under the global theme: “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow’s Integrity.”
In her opening statement, the LACC’s Boss also narrated that the theme acknowledges young people as an important population segment and actor in the fight against corruption worldwide.
As such, she believes that said acknowledgment has special significance for Liberia, with youth constituting more than 63 percent of the country’s population.
Cllr. Zoe wondered, “Notwithstanding these stats, one would ask to what extent are youth involved in government, and decision-making processes at national and subnational levels?”
“Are young people prepared to advocate for their place at the table of national decision-making as actors with adult stakeholders? Are there leadership development programs to prepare youth for leadership roles now and for the future?” She pondered.
She asserted, “So, stakeholders in the fight against corruption, as we unite with youth in the fight against corruption in shaping tomorrows integrity, the natural starting point is education.”
Education plays a powerful role in shaping the values of young people and their perspectives of the world.
The objective of such education should transcend mere academic achievements and focus on learning life skills like honesty, accountability, and fairness.
Schools and educational programs that concentrate on critical thinking and problem-solving help young people understand the importance of integrity in decision-making,” she noted.
Cllr. Zoe at the same time disclosed that the LACC, under her leadership, is willing and available to work with the Ministry of Education to enforce the implementation of the 2011 Education Act and, as well as collaborate with the Ministry to weed out corrupt teachers and administrators from the education system.
She added, “In the same vein, I challenge national government to incentivize teachers and administrators, and improve education services throughout Liberia.”
“To the international community, it is time we matched program funding with outcome. It is a standardized practice to measure development interventions by the changes that occurred as a result of projects or program implementation.
It is high time we placed premium on Monitoring and Evaluation and demand value for money in development interventions,” she admonished.
Earlier serving as the guest speaker, a student from the University of Liberia (UL), Joyceline Kerkulah emphasized that the fight against corruption in Liberia requires everyone’s energy, creativity, and determination.
Kerkulah also called on Liberians and the world at large, to rise to the challenge and work together to build a future where integrity prevails, and corruption is a thing of the past.
She maintained, “Most importantly, let us remember that real change begins from within, when we cultivate integrity in our own lives, we lay the foundation for a society free from corruption.”
“Remember, great movements often start with just one individual who dares to believe change is possible. Be that individual! Let our generation be remembered as the one that stood against corruption and won.
Let it be said that when the world called for integrity, we answered. So, my call to each of you today is a simple act; speak out, and stand up,” she added.
