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USAID-Liberia boss says corrupt actions slow down development

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Describes Corruption as ‘Immoral, Unethical’

By J-Karba Williams

Amid the Liberian government’s promise to prosecute past and present officials for corruption, the Director of USAID Mission to Liberia, Anthony Chan has described corruption as ‘immoral and unethical’ and called on Liberians to evaluate the real effects of this menace and what it does to society.

Mr. Chan said the menace of corruption has the propensity of destroying any civilized society. 

He noted that it does not refer to only money but the behavior, moral and attitude.

The USAID official made the assertion in his keynote address delivered in Monrovia recently at a program marking the commemoration of African Union African Anti-Corruption organized by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC).

Mr. Chan told Liberian stakeholders, lawyers, civil society organizations: when Liberians participate in corruption, it affects their children, grandchildren and generation to come.

According to him, those who steal public funds must be made to understand that their actions slow down the growth of the nation they steal from and makes it impossible to improve schools, hospitals, roads and other necessities requires to move forward.

The USAID official in Liberia also pointed out that those holding public officials accountable should know that whoever is fighting a monster, should see to it that the process for fighting does not become a monster adding we should start with ourselves first as Liberians.

This will ensure that the job can be done with clarity, and sincerity to maintain high walls and ethical standards, Mr. Chan said.

 Also speaking at the occasion, UNDP Country Representative to Liberia said corruption is has many faces and fuels poverty and inequality.

  Dr. Pa Lamin Beyai said greed is another driver that leads people in positions of power who have many things to still want to have more at the detriment of rules and regulations.

He also asserted that corruption feeds people on a culture of impunity, lack of political will power, limited citizens’ participation in demanding accountability and transparency from policymakers, but there can be a change and is all about changing mindsets.

The Officer-in-charge of the LACC, Cllr. Charles L.L. Gibson, urged Liberians not to accept corruption, but to say no to corruption, which he said can go a long way in the fight against corruption.

He noted that the celebration of this year African Union Anti-Corruption Day is aimed at putting out a plan and strategy to adopt a resolution in a communiqué on Assets and strategy to adopt a resolution in a communiqué on Assets Recovery and Forfeiture.

The LACC acting boss said this will help path a way to make recommendations to the government on how to fast track, tackle and engage corruption in Liberia.

The goal of the symposium was to create a platform for stakeholders reflect on the challenges of assets recovery in Liberia and to solicit contributions and support from actors in the development of common Liberia position on Asset Recovery.

The LACC is the arm of the Liberian government responsible to investigate public officials engage in corrupt activities including malfeasance, mal-practices, mistrust and embezzlements.

Currently there are 245 corruption cases at the LACC, from the General Auditing Commission (GAC) involving past government officials.     

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