By Mark Boahndao

Nimba, Sanniquelle, April 19, 2023 – “Awareness-raising is the first step to tackling corruption. When we talk to each other about corruption, people will be afraid to get involved with it.” Patricia Z. Goyee, a prominent citizen of Sanniquellie, Nimba noted during a community engagement by CENTAL under the auspices of the Anti-Corruption Innovation initiative.

Corruption is seriously hampering the nation’s prestige while undermining economic growth, exacerbating poverty, and eroding public trust in institutions. Fortunately, technology can be a powerful tool for combating corruption and raising awareness about the issue. Tested and tried in other countries, technology is tremendously helping in the fight against this menace. Thus, this innovative method has been grasped by anti-graft institutions, the Government, civil society actors, donors, and citizens on the note that it will eventually help in the fight against corruption.

In partnership with the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), Integrity Watch Liberia, and the Accountability Lab Liberia with support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) through the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) is enlightening the minds of citizens about the use of technology – an innovation to report corruption and other mediums in Sanniquellie, Nimba County. The awareness about the usage of the mobile app and web-based platforms to rally citizens' support to report, research, and follow up on trends in the fight against corruption.

In continuation of the awareness-raising activities in the counties, efforts are being applied to strengthen the fight against corruption by encouraging inhabitants of Sanniquellie to report corruption by using the TALKAY mobile app and web-based platforms, and other mediums to report acts of corruption. Citizens were astonished at the level of engagement the awareness has taken. The awareness-raising took the streets, communities, a local radio, high schools, and the community college within the county. Heralded through music, flyers, stickers, one-on-one engagements, and the media, the message seems to be resonating well.

From the qualitative research carried out in the project counties – Grand Bassa, Bomi, Nimba, Bong, and Montserrado, 9 out of 10 persons asked had prior knowledge of corruption but were lacking the reporting mediums, especially by the use of technology. Leveraging their knowledge, they were encouraged to use technology to report.

Women are actively taking the lead in these discussions and making salient points. “We pah, we na know about your book people thing, we will tell our children them to use it for us”, -Martha Brown, speaks out in colloquia. On the other hand, young people are thrusting themselves into discussions about corruption and prudently recommending ways to reduce corruption.

“If we practically create substantial awareness of corruption, report and expose corrupt personalities, and ensure persecution, this will serve as a deterrence. And gradually, we will make gains in the fight against this public enemy” – Emmanuel Tokpa, Student.

In high spirits, the team continues to take awareness among the locals by encouraging more people to report using technology and other mediums. These efforts and more will place a yoke on corruption, thus reducing and possibly eradicating it.