The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has held a one-day “Anti-Corruption Policy Dialogue”.
The dialogue, which was funded by the Embassy of Sweden in Liberia and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), was held on Wednesday, April 17, 2024 under the theme: “Increasing Funding for Anti-Corruption Efforts, Benefits and Recommended Actions.”
Giving an overview of the gathering, CENTAL Executive Director, Anderson D. Miamen lauded the Swedish Government and other local and international other partners for partnering with anti-corruption institutions, civil society organizations and the national government among others in the fight against corruption.
Mr. Miamen said Liberia has performed poorly over the years in an effort to fight corruption and financially strengthens anti-graft institutions to ensure that public funds are accounted for and transparency becomes the hallmark of good governance.
CENTAL boss said the dialogue seeks to enhance the effectiveness of the national budget as a tool for anti-corruption initiatives and reforms.
He added that the gathering further focuses on facilitating evidence-based discussion and information sharing among stakeholders on the state and importance or benefits of anti-corruption financing in Liberia.
“This dialogue is to also mobilize stakeholders’ inputs and support for efforts aimed at advocating for increased budgetary support to anti-corruption efforts and initiatives in Liberia,” Mr. Miamen noted.
He stressed that the initiative intends to highlight how budgetary appropriations are made by the government for those key entities to enable them fight corruption, and the way donor funds are used and relevant institutions are transparent and accountable.
“People should be engaged with the national government to ensure more money is put in the budget for anti-corruption efforts,” he indicated.
In remarks, House Speaker, Cllr. Jonathan Fonati Koffa, promised that the Legislature will take the necessary steps to ensure it is audited and foster accountability and transparency.
“The Legislature will go through a lot of changes in the next three years amid the challenges in fighting corruption and we are determined to do that. We know how fighting corruption is, especially when it involves your relatives, close friends or political, religious or social ally,” he added.
Speaker Koffa backed the call of CENTAL, stressing the need for the government to do more in funding integrity institutions and calls for a domestic revenue audit.
According to him, the Public Accounts Committees of both the Houses of Senate and Representatives will be empowered to put in place a system for the domestic revenue audit.
“The test of democracy is in us. Liberians must fight corruption by themselves, regardless who is involved to rest these accountability and transparency issues,” Koffa stressed.
For her part, the Program Director at the Embassy of Sweden, Ms. Nikolina Stalhand thanked CENTAL for organizing the dialogue and further applauded key members of the 55th National Legislature as well as integrity institutions for being in attendance.
She stressed an urgent need for the fight against corruption and the enforcement of transparency and accountability in Liberia.
“We know that the government is prioritizing this fight but it should do more, the integrity institutions responsible to champion this endeavor are to be empowered and supported through the appropriate budgetary support,” she said.
