Monrovia, Saturday, April 10, 2021 - The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) with support from the Government and people of Sweden through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) has successfully concluded the first two (2) in a series of seven (7) Open Expenditure Forums expected to be held across seven (7) counties in Liberia.

The Open Expenditure Forums, separately held in Gbarnga, Bong County, and Sanniquellie, Nimba County were intended to increase citizens’ knowledge and understanding of public spending and make them aware of the importance of openness on societal growth and expansion as well as enhance accountability of public officials to their people.

The forums are being held under the auspices of CENTAL’s National Integrity Building and Anti-Corruption (NIBA) program which targets seven (7) counties: Bong, Nimba, Bassa, Rivercess, Bomi, Gbarpolu, and Montserrado.   

At the initial two forums in Bong and Nimba Counties on April 6 and 7 respectively, citizens, including women, youth, students, people with disabilities, community members and leaders enthusiastically engaged and interacted with their local leaders, mainly Superintendents and Project Management Committees Chairpersons.    

In Gbarnga, Bong County, the Protocol Officer in the Office of Superintendent Esther Walker spoke on her behalf. Mr. Daniel Dunoe welcomed the CENTAL team and pledged the County Authority’s willingness to working with CENTAL to promote openness in the county’s operations and expenditures.

The Chairman of the Bong County Project Management Committee (PMC), Stephen J. Mulbah, used the opportunity to provide detailed information regarding the County Social Development Fund and different projects being undertaken in the county. He said all of the corruptions and financial malpractices in the county are based on mere speculations and hearsays, as most of those who spread the false information have made no attempt to seek the right pieces of information due to political and other differences. He promised to immediately tender his resignation as Bong County PMC Chairman if anyone in the gathering proves that they were ever denied information on any activities/projects being undertaken in the county.

In Sanniquellie, Nimba County, the Assistant Superintendent for Development, Railey G. Myers, the PMC Chairman, Harris Y. Yeanamie and Sanniquellie City Mayor, Miama M. Kamara and other officials were in attendance. The Assistant Superintendent for Development welcomed the CENTAL team and noted that the county authorities have always been opened in steering the affairs of the county and expressed willingness to working CENTAL and other organizations working to promote transparency and accountability in the County and the Country at large. Delivering his presentation, the Chairman of the Project Management Committee, Harris Y. Yeanamie, informed citizens about those who are signatories to the county’s account and provided a detailed description of procurement processes followed for payments.

He used the time to provide detailed information to the people about different projects being implemented, completed, and those yet to get started across the county. Chairman Yeanamie also expressed profound appreciation to CENTAL for convening the Open Expenditure Forum in the county, as it will help to clear most of the doubts and speculations amongst the people about management and implementation of project in the county. The Nimba County PMC Chairman presented on the topic: ‘Nimba County Development and Social Funds.’

The Open Expenditure Forum is built on existing efforts of the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) in collaboration with stakeholders at all county levels including but not limited to, superintendents, representatives, senators, civil society organizations, women, youths, students and other marginalized groups, street vendors, among others.

The people were excited to have had such an opportunity to access and engage with their local leaders in a face-to-face engagement to get instant feedback to their concerns and clarity to their doubts. CENTAL’s Gender Officer, Akiah Precious Glay gave the overview of the Open Expenditure Forums while Atty. Gerald D. Yeakula, Program Manager of CENTAL presented on the topic: ‘Budget Transparency and County Development.’ 

With support from the Government and people of Sweden through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), CENTAL’s NIBA program is rolling out Open Expenditure Forums across seven (7) counties - Bong, Nimba, Bassa, Rivercess, Bomi, Gnarpolu and Montserrado.

It seeks to enhance dialogue and partnerships between citizens and their leaders and well improve relationships between county officials and citizens for smooth project implementation. The NIBA program is a three-year program that seeks to among other things, provide citizens access to relevant pieces of information to demand for and take action against corruption in Liberia.

Monrovia, Thursday, March 25, 2021 -The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), through its youth engagement and Integrity Club (iClub) Program, has concluded a one-day intensive training for over forty (40) university students.  The training seeks to increase the students’ knowledge and understanding of pertinent issues related to the fight against corruption and integrity building, especially in Liberia; and sets the basis for those trained to engage in outreach activities in their respective universities, high schools, and communities.  The students were recruited from the University of Liberia (UL), United Methodist University (UMU), African Methodist Episcopal University (AMEU), and the Stella Maris Polytechnic University (SMPU). 

Speaking at the opening of the one-day training workshop in Monrovia, CENTAL’s Executive Director Anderson D. Miamen told the students to brace themselves for the task of engaging their peers and community members through awareness-raising about corruption, integrity building, and other related issues in the country.  Director Miamen said, over the years, the fight against corruption did not considerably take into account the direct involvement of students and youths to engage their peers and community members about corruption and its manifestations in schools, public and private sectors, communities, and homes, but has been skewed mainly towards high-level efforts such as prosecution, enactment of laws, amongst others.  He indicated that the I-Club presents an opportunity for young people to get actively involved in the fight against corruption and contribute to positive change.

The CENTAL boss told the participating students to take advantage of the training and use it as a means of networking and building relationships that can be leveraged to enhance anti-corruption and integrity building efforts in Liberia. He pledged CENTAL’s fullest commitment to the fight against corruption and support to the work of the IClubs and their members who will be agents of positive change in their respective universities, communities, and the society at large.

Speaking earlier, the Dean of Student Services at AMEU, Mr. Abraham Bility said the involvement of university students in the fight against corruption and integrity building efforts now sets the stage to accelerate the discourse to another level. Dean Bility said the concept of integrity building at the university, high schools, and community levels will prepare the country for an inclusive anti-corruption effort. “This country needs you more than you need it. Beware that, as volunteers of your respective IClubs, you will be challenged by friends.  Even faculties will despise you, but remain focused,” Dean Bility said. He lauded CENTAL for the initiative and pledged AMEU’s fullest support to the work of the IClub at the university and beyond. 

The training covered various topics, including: “The role of Integrity in creating an enabling environment for youth empowerment and development in Liberia,” presented by Mamuna Kamara Waydon, Senior Policy Analyst at the Governance Commission (GC); “Understanding Corruption: Its Ramifications and Effects, Causes and Remedies,” presented by Zobon A. Kolenky, Head of Asset Declaration and Verification at the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC); “Corruption trends in Gender and Corruption: Key Manifestations, Challenges and way forward with Women and Marginalized group in focus,” presented  by Madam Akiah Precious Glay, Gender Officer at CENTAL; and “Investigation and Evidence Gathering in the Fight Against Corruption: Key Issues, Challenges, and Recommendations,” facilitated by Mr. Baba Boakai, Director for Enforcement at the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC); “Awareness, Advocacy, and Communication strategies in the fight against Corruption,” presented by Anderson D. Miamen, Executive Director of CENTAL, among others.

Held at the Corina Hotel in Monrovia, the training workshop was held under the auspices of the National Integrity Building and Anti-Corruption (NIBA) program funded by the Government and People of Sweden through the Embassy of Sweden near Monrovia and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) now sets the basis for the students to begin raising awareness about corruption and integrity building at their respective universities, high schools, and communities.

Thursday, March 04, 2021 - The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) expresses grave concern over recent allegations of corruption involving the Vice-Chairperson of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), Cllr. Kanio Bai Gbala and Executive Director, Mohammed E. Fahnbulleh. Such allegations are extremely troubling and damaging to the image of an institution of Government leading the fight against the cancer of corruption in Liberia.

If the LACC must maintain its credibility as an entity of Government mandated to investigate and prosecute acts of corruption, as well as educate the public about the ills of corruption and the benefits of its eradication, the Commission and the Government of Liberia must do everything to ensure that the allegations are timely investigated to establish the truthfulness or falsity of the matter.

Ladies and gentlemen of the Press, upon learning of the LACC corruption saga, CENTAL reached out to the Commission to inquire about claims and counterclaims raised by the parties including, but not limited to, unlawful salary payments, unaccountability of cash advances received, purchase of Government property, amongst others.

Also, we reached out to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to get clarity on the date and other facts regarding the resignation of Cllr. Kanio Bai Gbala, who is alleged to have been within their employ while simultaneously being paid by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Corruption, during the latter part of 2019. We wish to inform the public that we have received positive feedback from these institutions. Both the LACC and UNDP have launched separate investigations to establish the facts, which we hope will be timely communicated to the public.

However, while we welcome the LACC’s internal investigation, we strongly believe that such grave allegations involving senior officials of the Commission cannot be left to the institution alone to investigate.

Therefore, we call on President George Manneh Weah to constitute an independent committee to timely investigate the matter and inform the public about its outcomes. If not timely and properly investigated and the recommendations fully implemented, these allegations may detract from the goodwill anti-corruption institutions have received from the public over the years, including dampening public confidence in the country’s leading anti-corruption institution.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen of the Press, fellow Liberians, in the wake of the resignation of its former chairperson, Cllr. Ndubuisi Nwabudike, currently, the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission has an all-male Board of Commissioners, thus falling short of the gender sensitivity provided for in section six (6) of the LACC Act. With all three (3) Commissioners being males, the need for ensuring gender mainstreaming at the highest level of the Commission cannot be overly emphasized.

Also, given that the LACC has been in the media for all the wrong reasons lately, especially claims and counterclaims about the citizenship and credibility of the immediate past chairperson and allegations of corruption involving its vice-chairperson, in the spirit of collaboration and partnership, as provided for in section 6.2 of the LACC Act, CENTAL urges President George Manneh Weah to widely consult with critical stakeholders (civil society and development partners) in making new nominations at the LACC.

And that qualified females should be strongly considered in such appointments to avoid an all-male and gender-biased Board of Commissioners, in violation of section 6.3 of the 2008 LACC Act. In part, the above will help to increase public confidence in and support for the leadership and work of the Commission. Also, they will somehow satisfy minimum requirements for making key appointments at anti-corruption and integrity institutions whose leaderships and key staff must be independent as well as enjoy the full confidence and support of the public.

To conclude, CENTAL reassures the public of her commitment to the fight against corruption and call on citizens to remain constructively engaged in demanding for and taking actions against corruption in Liberia. Also, we reiterate the call for a sincere, genuine, and impartial fight against corruption in the country.

                                                                                                           Press Statement for Immediate Release

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

 Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) expresses delight over the Supreme Court ruling affirming the judgment of the First Judicial Circuit Court Criminal Assizes “C” in the case Republic of Liberia v. J. Brownie Samukai et al, holding the Defendants guilty of the crimes of Theft of Property, Criminal Conspiracy, and Misuse of Public Money in respect of funds contributed by men and women of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) towards the AFL Pension Fund.

Members of the Press, fellow citizens, one and all, while we hold that the Court missed an opportunity to call corruption by its name, we are however optimistic about the decision of the Court for the following reasons:

• The Court’s unambiguous exposition of key corruption issues, including its reference to “integrity” and the “universal principle of accountability”. We believe that the Court’s acknowledgment and elaboration of these concepts represent a significant step in mainstreaming the fight against corruption at the highest levels of society as well as entrenching integrity values.

• The Court’s admonition that public officials “must have legal reliance and a legal basis” for the fulfillment of both their “statutory responsibilities as laid down by statute” and their “special duties as commanded by the head of state/president”. Expanding on this point, the Court explained that a public official is required to perform and implement the commander-in-chief/President’s orders with public funds as budgeted by the government in accordance with the government budget process. We are of the opinion that this position by the Court presents a teaching moment to public officials who go to any lengths to endear themselves to the Presidency or any authorized individuals at the expense of our laws and public interest. We further agree with the Court that a Minister or Public Official receiving Presidential orders, whose obedience requires violation of an existing policy or law, has a duty to advise the President or cause the Minister of Justice to advise the President and “that if the President insists on the implementation of the illegal order, the Minister has the option to disobey the President and honorably resign his position with integrity.” While the ruling of the Court references the presidency due to the facts presented by the case under review, we strongly believe that it applies to other public officials and individuals taking instructions from their superiors. This, we believe, sends a very clear message that the utmost duty of public service is the state and its people and not the power-that-be.

We applaud the Court for its decision and further urge it to decide corruption cases with an even higher speed. Appeals to the Supreme Court has long been used to stifle justice, especially in corruption-related cases. The Court must therefore exert all efforts to ensure that cases are speedily determined according to the due process of law, ensuring that the rights of all accused persons are respected and protected.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press, we would like to use this opportunity to also call on President George M. Weah to timely appoint the Executive Chairperson of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission, the government entity leading the fight against corruption in the country. We call for broad-based consultation with civil society, development partners, and other critical stakeholders in processes leading to the recruitment of the next LACC chairperson and officials of other public integrity institutions, including but not limited to the New Auditor General (AG) of the Republic of Liberia. Increased stakeholders’ confidence in those appointed or recruited to key positions of public trust, especially at anti-corruption and integrity institutions is essential to receiving the required moral and financial support as well as cooperation to effectively and efficiently perform.

To conclude, we reiterate our commitment to supporting the fight against corruption in Liberia and overall national integrity building efforts. Also, we call for strong collaboration and partnership between government and other stakeholders, especially ordinary citizens with critical roles in denouncing corruption, demanding accountability from their leaders, as well as providing moral support to public integrity institutions and other key anti-corruption actors.

Thanks.

Management