LINGO Steps Up Anti-Corruption Efforts, Urges Collaborative Action to Safeguard Liberia’s Development Sector

The  Liberia  International  NGOs  Forum  (LINGO),  in  support  of  President Boakai’s encouraging  State  of the  Nation address and his promise  of the government’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption, commits to severing ties with vendors,  contractors,  and  service  providers  involved  in any  form  of fraudulent  activities  or  breaches  of  procurement  and financial  processes that may lead to corruption. LINGO, with this, urges vendors, contractors, and service providers who work with LINGO members to utilize the communication channels provided by  its  members  to  report  any  instances  of  staff  or  affiliates  soliciting  commissions,  kickbacks,  price fixing, or engaging in fraudulent behavior.

As a Forum of over 54 members, our unwavering commitment lies in advancing Liberia’s development sector. LINGO earnestly urges its esteemed development partners, donors, and stakeholders to persist in their  courageous  endeavors  to  cultivate  a  climate  of  transparency  and  accountability,  effectively combating  bribery,  graft,  and  corruption.  We  must  collectively  adopt  stringent  measures  within  our procurement  and  financial  systems  to  safeguard  Liberia’s  development  sector  from  the  perils  of corruption.

As  a  Forum,  LINGO  is  continually  looking  at  ways  to  address  the  detrimental  effects  of  corruption  on Liberia’s overall economic  and social development. The  increasing  prevalence  of corruption creates an unfair  environment  and  obstructs  progress  in  fulfilling  individual  missions  and  contributing  to  the Sustainable Development Goals. This situation disproportionately benefits a few while marginalizing most of the population. Corruption has negative impacts on every single aspect of society, disproportionately affecting the poorest and most marginalized populations, including women.

LINGO  acknowledged  that  corruption  remains  a  significant  challenge  in  the  West  African  Sub-Region, hindering efficient resource management and impeding economic growth. Liberia has had a fair share of issues affecting its economic development. According to  Transparency International’s 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index, Liberia ranks 142nd out of 180 countries, indicating the pervasive nature of corruption within the country. LINGO recognizes that corruption has become endemic at all levels of Liberian society, making it difficult for INGOs to achieve development goals and for the general population to thrive.

The  Liberia  International  NGOs  Forum  was  established  in  1997  as  a  collection  of  international  non- governmental organizations. Initially comprising over 100 members during the civil crisis, LINGO currently consists of more than 54 active international organizations. These members have been actively engaged in projects and programs across all 15 counties of Liberia, spanning various sectors. The primary mission of  LINGO is to  support  its members in  delivering  high-quality  programs  while enhancing  coordination among themselves. This is achieved through effective communication, information sharing, and liaising with government ministries, agencies, and other entities such as UN agencies, embassies, and the donor community. LINGO also facilitates joint advocacy efforts and addresses humanitarian concerns, ensuring its members can speak with a unified voice on humanitarian issues.

Undersigned, Aisha M. Lai

CHAIR of the Liberian INGO Forum

Head of Office for the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation