Liberia: Ex - President Sirleaf Challenges Liberia to Give Anti-Corruption Laws Teeth

What the report says

Former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf used a Governance Commission event in Monrovia to urge Liberia to make its anti-corruption framework more effective by ensuring that abuses lead to investigations, prosecutions and consequences. According to Liberian Observer, she spoke during the Month of Good Governance symposium, which was held under the theme of promoting accountability and transparency as the country marks a month of governance-focused activities in October.

Sirleaf said Liberia has passed laws and created integrity bodies, but too often those measures have not translated into convictions or lasting change. She pointed to institutions and reforms developed during her administration, including the Governance Commission, the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission, the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission and the Freedom of Information Act, while also acknowledging that corruption remained a persistent problem.

She argued that anti-corruption efforts depend on political will, adequate funding and institutional independence, and said responsibility starts with the executive leadership. She also called on the Legislature to improve oversight, the judiciary to enforce decisions, citizens to use transparency laws and journalists to keep scrutinizing public officials. Acting Governance Commission Chairman Alaric K. Tokpa and Executive Director Jallah C. Kesselly both framed the October observance as a wider call for public participation and stronger accountability.