LACC Empowers Citizens To Foster Social Accountability

Sylvester W. Korwor, Bong County Correspondent

 The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) has embarked on a project to empower citizens and communities to foster social accountability and transparency in governance and public service delivery.

Launching the project in Gbarnga, Bong County on September 12, 2024, the LACC Executive Chairperson, Alexandra K. Zoe disclosed that the three-day event is a training for personnel of integrity institutions and the judiciary on legislation and accountability institutions.

Cllr. Zoe indicated that the workshop is a peace building fund supported and implemented by UNDP, UN Women and Integrity Watch Liberia in the 15 counties of Liberia.

The project, she stated, seeks to enhance participants' concept of corruption, transparency and accountability mechanisms, and existing anti-corruption frameworks, among others.

"The goal of the workshop is to educate relevant stakeholders on the concept of corruption and existing legal frameworks, foster inclusive citizen's participation, and promote transparency and accountability within their communities.

The project also seeks to enhance citizen's corruption reporting mechanisms and further strengthen collaborations.

The LACC Executive Chairperson asserted that staff of integrity institutions need to understand how the Liberian society perceives them, citing that citizens can conduct public and private lives with the highest standards of integrity and accountability.

She pointed out that judicial officers including sheriffs, bailiffs, judges, magistrates, justices of the peace, can influence the outcome of trials for better or worse.

Cllr. Zoe added that a corrupt judicial official can compromise the interest of the state for his or her selfish interest, and ensure that a corrupt public official who should be held liable for betraying the public trust is given a not guilty verdict.

"On the other hand, a patriotic, honest, and trustworthy judiciary staff who prefers the state above his/her personal comfort and convenience, would pass a guilty verdict against a corrupt public official and perhaps go to sleep in a modest accommodation,” the LACC official stated.

At the same time Madam Zoe maintained that the three-day event will explore legislation such as whistleblower Act, witness protection Act, and accountability mechanisms, including asset declaration, code of conduct and conflict of interest.

The workshop, she maintained, will discuss asset declaration, code of conduct, and conflict of interest and their importance to transparency and good governance.