Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County, Monday, May, 27, 2024 – Liberians have given a resounding welcome to ongoing anti-corruption awareness campaign by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission.
Ever since the simultaneous launch on May 18, in Tubmanburg and Ganta, the exercise has gathered momentum following its extension in Saniquellie, Nimba County and Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County.
On Friday, May 24, 2024, over 500 stakeholders turned out at the Zwedru City Hall to join the awareness launch in Grand Gedeh, in an unprecedented show of support to the initiative.
over 500 residents turned out at the Zwedru City Hall
In his welcoming remarks, Grand Gedeh County Development Superintendent Davidson Barlee lauded the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission for bringing such an important exercise to the County.
He assured the local government administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability in the discharge of their duties.
Mr. Barlee said the local authorities are fully aware of President Joseph Boakai’s zero tolerance on corruption and will ensure they live up to such billing.
members of the high table at the program in Zwedru
LACC Prevention Officer, and Team Lead on the tour, John Tommy emphasized the importance of major legislations geared towards fighting corruption in the Country.
The Legislations are the new LACC Act of 2022, the Whistleblower Act and Witness Protection Act.
He told the audience of how the LACC is empowered by the new restated act with prosecutorial power to charge and prosecute alleged corrupt suspects, instead of waiting for the Justice Ministry.
John Tommy want Liberians take advantage of the witness protection and whistleblower acts by reporting corruption head on, knowing that they have a full legal backing.
Under the Whistleblower act, individuals who raise alarm about suspected corrupt acts cannot be prosecuted, even if it turned out that the information they gave, lacks evidence for indictment and possible prosecution.
These, were emphasized by Atty. Abraham T. Gborie, who was charged with the responsibility of breaking down the law to the citizenry, through the audience.
To the excitement of the audience, Atty Gborie explained how whistleblower can get up to 5%, if they report a suspected case of corruption and money is recovered by the government, through the LACC.
The awareness is geared towards popularizing existing anti-corruption legislations to increase citizens’ knowledge and improve public perception and appreciation of the LACC mandate and activities.
Many of the citizens and stakeholders at the program, called for the decentralization of the LACC, noting that increased visibility will improve results in the fight against corruption.
There were also concerns about low salaries for crucial sectors of the civil service, singling out public school teachers and law enforcement officers.
They believe low salaries and lack of incentives are key contributing factors to the prevalence of corruption in those sectors.
Students, Women and Elders at the gathering, called on the government to improve the salaries of teachers and state security personnel as a crucial step toward achieving the fight against corruption.
These sentiments were shared in the previous program held in Saniquellie, Nimba County earlier during the week.
Participants pose for group photo in Saniquellie
Many want the government do more by adequately funding the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission to fully implement its core mandate and functions.
The nationwide anti-corruption awareness campaign is being sponsored by the United Nations Development Program, (UNDP) with funding from the governments of Luxemburg and the Republic of Korea.
Targeted stakeholders include, law enforcement institutions, local government administrations, County Health and Education Officials, Marketing Associations, transport Unions and Students.
