Monrovia – The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has commended the recent confirmation of the seven Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) Commissioners by the Liberian Senate. CENTAL emphasized the importance of this development in the ongoing battle against corruption in the country.
CENTAL applauded the Liberian Senate, the government, and civil society organizations for their roles in the vetting, nomination, and confirmation process. The organization also praised the outgoing leadership of the LACC for restoring stability and sanctity to the Commission after a turbulent period.
However, CENTAL underscored the pressing need for a robust, independent, well-resourced, and public-interest-driven LACC, given the pervasive corruption in Liberia, particularly in the public sector. The organization referenced the low score of 26 out of 100 on the 2022 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) of Transparency International as evidence of the magnitude of the corruption problem in the country.
The transparency watchdog expressed concerns about the lack of action against public officials sanctioned by the United States Government for alleged significant corruption, which it viewed as a sign of a lack of political will and major gaps in the government’s anti-corruption efforts.
With the newly confirmed LACC Commissioners in place, CENTAL urged them to lead by example and tread cautiously in discharging their duties. The organization emphasized the public’s expectation of a new, energized, and robust LACC, especially now that it has Direct Prosecutorial Power, which has been lacking in the past.
The accountability and transparency institution called on the new Commissioners to end impunity for corruption and restore hope among Liberians by impartially investigating and prosecuting alleged corruption cases, including those involving high-ranking government officials.
CENTAL further called on the government to provide adequate financial and logistical support to the Commission, emphasizing the need for meaningful partnerships with stakeholders, including civil society and citizens. The organization also urged development partners to offer support to ensure the Commission’s effective operation.
