Graduates of Cohort II of the Anti-Corruption Ambassadors Training Program (ACATP) have been admonished about their critical roles in helping Liberia to address corruption and reverse the negative trend and public perception about the fight against corruption in the country.

 

The Executive Director of the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), Anderson Miamen said impunity for corruption and other financial crimes do not augur well for citizens and partners’ confidence in the governance process, which is a key requirement for forging and sustaining mutually-benefiting partnerships for the government and the country at large.

Delivering the keynote address at the graduation exercise of Cohort II of the Liberia Civil Society Organization Anti-Corruption Coalition’s Anti-Corruption Ambassador Training Program held at the Tubman High School campus on Friday, November 12, 2021, Mr. Miamen stated that the ACATP is a worthy undertaking that is poised to greatly help in breading a generation of young men, young women and others who are not only trained to anti-corruption and integrity-related values and principles but are empowered to join and meaningfully contribute to the fight against corruption in Liberia.

He said the graduates have also been authorized by virtue of their certification, to contribute to efforts aimed at promoting and entrenching integrity values at all levels of the Liberian Society.

“The task is a tough one, but worthy of every ounce of energy and attention of yours and the Liberian populace at large. We need to consolidate efforts to promote and entrench anti-corruption values at all levels and in all places,” Director Miamen stated.

 

The ACATP is a flagship program of the Liberia Civil Society Organization Anti-Corruption Coalition.

Speaking earlier, the Executive Director of Integrity Watch Liberia, Herald Aiddoo told the graduates that they are poised to undertake a monumental task as Anti-Corruption Ambassadors to join the fight against the number enemy of Liberia, corruption.

 

Mr. Aidoo stated that the Anti-Corruption Ambassadors are joining the fight at a time the country is battling an epidemic of a strong desire for material wealth among young people, which is often satisfied through Corrupt and unorthodox means, at the expense of public interest. Furthermore, he said the desired change to making Liberia a better place rests with every Liberian citizen, including the Anti-Corruption Ambassadors.

In a brief remark, the Vice-Chairperson of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), Cllr. Kanio Bai Gbala told the graduates to be aware that everyone who stands accused is presumed innocent until proven otherwise in a court of competent jurisdiction.

 

Cllr. Gbala also informed the gathering that the reportage of the Liberian media is based on sensationalism, and as such, the graduates should guide against the consumption of media products.

The LACC Vice-Chairperson (Cllr. Kanio Gbala) is accused of conflict of interest for his reported involvement in a deal at the National Port Authority of Liberia. After several months, the matter is yet to be fully investigated by the Government of Liberia, especially the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission.