PHOTO: PHOTO: Joel Maybury in group photo with others at the one-day anti-corruption stakeholders forum
By Frank Sainworla, Jr. fsainworla@yahoo.com
Monrovia- The United States continues to speak out against the high rate of corruption in Liberia, with a call by the Chargés d’affaires at the US Embassy for Liberia to take concrete actions to end the menace.
“We are all very much aware of the realities of corruption in Liberia. The country is now in the bottom 25 percent of nations globally in the Corruption Perceptions Index. A recent report by the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia showed that 90 percent of Liberians rate the level of corruption as high, and nearly two-thirds of Liberians lack faith in the government’s commitment to fight corruption,” Joel Maybury told a one-day forum for civil society and anti-corruption institutions held on Thursday, June 23, 2022 at the head offices of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) in Monrovia’s Sinkor suburb.
the forum was organized by the Center for Security Studies and Development (CENSSAD).
The American diplomat spoke strongly against giving lip service to the fight against corruption saying, “action speaks louder than words” in a keynote address that was partly extemporaneous.
Mr. Maybury noted the longstanding ties between the US and Liberia, saying that it is because of the strong friendship that the US “speaks from the heart” about issues in Liberia.
“We are friends, we are family. It’s everybody’s business to fight corruption including friendly partners,” he added.
The American diplomat indicated that corruption was undermining the business climate in Liberia, emphasizing that “all words no action is not acceptable”.
Mr. Maybury made it clear that the US will not stop criticizing bad governance practices, because it is Liberia’s friend.
“The scale of corruption may be one of the reasons (inhibiting) investors from investing in Liberia,” the US diplomat warned and maintained that the US insists on ensuring accountability in the country.
He said this is in line with American President Joe Biden’s strategy to fight corruption worldwide.
Meanwhile, the US Embassy’s Chargés d’affaires has said that the fight against corruption must be done in line with the rule of law.
Mr. Maybury told Thursday’s anti-corruption forum that one thing he agrees on in the latest statement by President George Manneh Weah is that people are not just arrested and put in jail on corruption allegation without due process of law.
The forum was held under the theme: “Towards strategizing to ensure speedy passage of anti-corruption bills submitted by the executive to the national Legislature.” Among other things, the Bills submitted by the Executive to the Legislature in May 2021 include one calling for amendment of the LACC Act to give the anti-graft commission prosecutorial power and the Whistle Blower Act.
“Weah failing miserably” in corruption fight
Also speaking during the anti-corruption forum was the head of the civil society organization, Accountability Lab, Lawrence Yealue, who said former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf admitted that she was unable to fight corruption and asserted that “President George Weah is failing miserably in fighting corruption”.
According to him, this is because the Liberian leader lacks the political will.
Mr. Yealue spoke of the need for concerted efforts in fighting corruption in Liberia, saying that this fight cannot be successful without upholding integrity at all levels of society.
FIU boss says corruption linked to national security
The Executive Director of Liberia Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Edwin Harris said corruption has strong implications for national security, adding that Liberia’s civil society groups are “valuable partners” in the ongoing corruption fight.
He appealed to foreign partners to fund the construction of a complex to house the various integrity agencies in Liberia, and urged his fellow leaders of integrity agencies to improve public confidence by doing internal house cleaning.
“Leadership requires that we move to take steps,” the FIU boss urged.
LACC wants public and partners’ backing
Speaking on behalf of the LACC at the forum was its Chief Prosecutor, Cllr. Jerry D. K. Garlawolu, who urged partners and the Liberian public to stand by the anti-graft agency and “fight for LACC”.
He stressed the importance of the Lawmakers amending the LACC Act to give it prosecutorial power.
But Cllr. Garlawolu joined others in saying that the fight against corruption in Liberia will only be successful if there is political will.
The forum was climaxed by a brainstorming session of anti-corruption stakeholders who drew up a number of strategies to be pursued, in order to fast track the passage of the anti-corruption Bills currently before the national Legislature.