Monrovia, Friday, May 14, 2021- Participants at a two-day workshop to train and mentor journalists on Anti-Corruption and Integrity-related Investigative reporting have described the training as an added knowledge and a glorious opportunity for them to explore different angles of developments within the country.

The training, which was organized by the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) with support from the Government and people of Sweden through the Swedish International Development Cooperation (SIDA), seeks to empower journalists with the knowhow to investigate and independently report on corruption and integrity issues in Liberia.

“Let’s utilize the skill acquired here over the last two days to go beyond the ordinary and dig deeper to get the real stories out. This is an added knowledge that we need to take advantage of to enhance our works,” said Hannah N. Geterminah of the Daily Observer Newspaper at the close of the training held at the John Gbedze Beach Resort in Marshall City, Margibi County from May 10 - 11, 2021.

The training brought together twenty (20) journalists from ten (10) counties – Montserrado, Margibi, Bong, Nimba, Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, Gbarpolu, Lofa, Grand Bassa, and Rivercess. 

“This training is an eye-opener for us, especially on how to track public funds whether in the public or private sector. We also see this as an opportunity for us to go the extra mile in distinguishing projects funded by either County Development Fund (CDF), Social Development Fund (CSDF) and Legislative Support Projects (LSPs) as well as private projects,” remarked Abraham Morris of The In-profile Daily Newspaper. Morris thanked CENTAL for affording them the opportunity to further explore their full potentials. 

NIBA is a three and half-year program that seeks to amongst other things, empower citizens with relevant pieces of information to demand for and take action against corruption in Liberia. 

The program is being implemented in seven counties - Montserrado, Bong, Nimba, Bomi, Gbarpolu, Grand Bassa, and Rivercess.  

During the opening, the Executive Director of CENTAL Anderson D. Miamen presented the overview of the NIBA Program, followed by Madam Maureen Sieh, lead facilitator of the training who presented on journalists’ role in reporting on accountability and transparency in Liberia as well as CENTAL’s Advocacy and Legal Advice Center (ALAC) on the work of the ALAC program. 

The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), represented by its acting Executive Director, Moses Kowo, delivered a presentation that guided journalists on what to look out for in investigating and reporting Corruption matters, frameworks in the fight against Corruption, and how journalists can use integrity institutions to inform their reporting on accountability and transparency amongst others. For his part, Mr. Frank Sainworla, a media trainer and publisher, News Public Trust Newspaper presented on the topic, the Freedom of Information (FOI) as a tool to promote transparency and accountability. CENTAL’s Gender Officer, Akiah Precious Glay presented on Gender and Corruption: A Heavy Burden on Social Inclusion in Society while the Program Manager, while Gerald D. Yeakula presented on, ‘Reporting on Accountability and Transparency of the County and Social Development Fund: Lessons learned from engagement on the proposed standalone County and Social Development Fund Law.