Stresses The Need For An Inclusive, Transparent And Accountable Legal System
PHOTO: James Dorbor Jallah, Carter Center boss
By Garmah Never Lomo, garmahlomo@gmail.com
Monrovia, Liberia- The Country Representative of Carter Center Liberia, James Dorbor Jallah says Liberia judicial system is suffering and bleeding with the lack of accountability, transparency, inclusiveness, corruption and limited resources.
Mr. Jallah made the assertion in a statement at a ceremony marking “Law Day” held by the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA) at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Monrovia’s Congo Town suburb.
“However, as we celebrate our achievement within the legal sector, we also acknowledge the challenges that persist. In order to ensure that our progress is sustainable, we must continue to work towards more inclusive, transparent and accountable legal system. Corruption, limited resources and the lingering access of our civil war has shown significant obstacles to our quest for a just society,” Mr. Jallah stated.
He decried the lack of accountability, corruption and limited resources as major factors that are responsible for the failure of the Liberian judicial system.
In the presence of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Liberia, Sie-A-Nyene G. Yuoh, Associate Justice Gbeisay, Judges and other legal practitioners, the Carter Center boss stressed the need for an inclusive, transparent and accountable legal system in Liberia.
Mr. Jallah, the former head of the Public Procurement and Concession Commission (PPCC), urged lawyers and Justices of the Supreme Court to reaffirm their commitment to the rule of law and the principles enshrined in the Liberian Construction.
“To all the legal professional, professional citizens who work tirelessly to hold and advance the rule of law in the country is say thank you. Together, we can continue to build a brighter future for all Liberian were the rule of law is the cornerstone for our democracy. To the LNBA, I want to say thank you also for putting this program together for us to be here to reflect on our achievement and as well as challenges that we still have ahead of us,” said the Carter Center Country Representative in Liberia.
He said he was honoured to be a part of the law day celebration where lawyers had gathered to look at the progress the judiciary had made and reflect also on the challenges that is gradually stopping the quest for building democracy in the Liberia society.
According to him, Liberia has come a long way since the silence of the gun, adding that Liberia has make great stride in rebuilding the legal institution, refraining laws in ensuring that Justice is accessible to all citizens.
The Carter Center boss has also appealed to the Liberian government through the Judiciary branch of government and the LNBA to continue to work with organizations including the Carter Center to make Liberia a shiny example of Justice and equality.
“I will like to recognize the effort the Carter Center had make in the legal sector. We have provided support and played crucial role in promoting the rule of law, enhancing access to Justice and fostering the culture for human Rights,” he stated.
Mr. Jallah said that the Carter Center had work tirelessly with the government, Civil Society organization as well as nongovernmental organization to strengthen the country’s justice sector.
“We have assured in training of judges, prosecutors and public defender’s as well as supported Legal Aid Clinic to serve the most vulnerable in our society. The Carter Center has also been the leading advocate in the decentralization of the Justice system, encouraging the establishment of lower courts as well as empowering traditional leader to settle dispute in accordance with human rights standard,” the Carter Center boss added.