Don’t Vote Warlords and Corrupt Persons….LCACC BOSS calls on Liberians ahead of October 10 Elections

The National Coordinator of the Liberia CSOs Anti-Corruption Coalition, James Koryor has made the latest call for citizens to reject at the polls all those who perpetrated violent crimes and havoc on the Liberian people during the 14 years civil war and economic crimes during the civil unrest and continues to do because of their proximity to political power.

According to Mr. Koryor, since the end of the civil war in 2003, past and current governments has refused and neglected to implement the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report by establishing a War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia to ensure that those who committed war crimes and crimes against humanity can face justice, a situation that have made many of them to seek political offices and continues to remain in the corridor of powers.

The Anti-Corruption Activist furthered that while scores of Liberians and different groups have demonstrated and protested across Monrovia on different dates, the Liberia Government have not taken any action to seek justice for the approximately 250,000 people that were killed during the civil war.

Koryor also commended the United States Government through the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, E.O. 13818 for sanctioning five officials of the Liberian Government in 2020, 2021 and 2022 respectively.

The designation by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of Cllr. Varney Sherman, Senator of Grand Cape Mount and Chairman of the Liberian Senate Judiciary Committee in 2020 was a significant accomplishment by the United States in helping to fight corruption in Liberia. Cllr. Sherman has been shielded by the Liberian Legislature over the years. As we goes to the polls on October 10, 2023 it is imperative that Liberians especially Citizens of Grand Cape Mount County vehemently reject him by voting him out as a sign of promoting accountability and justice. Koryor noted.

The GASD boss also stated that on December 9, 2021, U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act, E.O. 13818 designated Mr. Prince Yormie Johnson is a former warlord and current member of the Liberian Senate. He is the former Chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security, Defense, Intelligence, and Veteran Affairs. In 1990, he was responsible for the murder of former Liberian President Samuel Doe, and Johnson is named in Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation Report as having committed atrocities during the country’s first civil war. We can’t continue to have people like Senator Johnson within our governing structure as a country and expect the country to move forward. What is needed now, for the Nimba County Senator is to have his day in court and not another nine years to keep surviving on taxpayer monies, Koryor stressed.

Koryor further stressed that corruption in Liberia remains a major impediment to economic and social development and with the dismantling of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission and weak structural implementation of other anti-graft institutions, public officials continues to steal and enrich them-selves and afterward seek elected offices as a means of protecting their ill-gotten wealth.

As the US Government continues to fight corruption globally, on August 15, 2022 the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Liberian government officials Nathaniel McGill, Sayma Syrenius Cephus, and Bill Twehway for their involvement in ongoing public corruption in Liberia. These officials are designated pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13818, which builds upon and implements the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act and targets perpetrators of serious human rights abuse and corruption around the world. Koryor Noted.

Koryor stated that two of the August 2022 sanctioned former Liberian Government officials, including Nathaniel McGill and Bill Twehway are seeking elected offices in the ensuing October 10 elections in Margibi and River Cess Counties respectively. We are calling on citizens of the two counties to not elect these two persons who have been designated for corruption, Koryor concluded.

The anti-corruption activist also stated that there are score of others who are seeking elections and re-elections to the legislature and Liberians should reject them now. Some of them include; Rep. Yeheh Kolubah, Rep. George Boley, Roland Duo, Alex Tyler, Dwannah Kamara, and all others you are aware of that are corrupt and participants of the civil war in Liberia, Koryor noted.

In closing let me call on the over 2.4 million registered voters across the country to remain peaceful as we goes to the polls in few days on October 10. We should be cognizant that Liberia is our common denominator and we should not support any forms of electoral violence. We condemn in the strongest term the recent electoral violence in Lofa County stating that no one should die because of corrupt politicians.

2023 Transparency & Integrity Index for Liberia Launched, PPCC Ranked # 1

The Liberia CSOs Anti-Corruption Coalition has released its first edition of the Transparency & Integrity Index, 2023. The Index was launched in commemoration of the 2023 International Day for Universal Access to Information.

According to the Liberia CSOs Anti-Corruption Coalition, National Coordinator, James Koryor, the Liberia CSOs Anti-Corruption Coalition-LCACC leads on national level anti-corruption policy advocacy and implements programs and projects that support greater transparency, integrity and accountability in Liberia’s public sector through effective data-driven policy evaluation, research, and awareness, anti-corruption advocacy utilizing people power approaches. The conception of the Transparency & Integrity Index is in line with our objective of promoting transparency, monitoring public sector expenditure and strengthening the integrity mechanisms of public institutions.

Koryor stated that the index is essential because no existing mechanism presently covers such a broad scope regarding open governance and institutional integrity. It also attempts to address concerns of MACs and other public institutions inability to publicize their activities as required by relevant laws and policies. TII is initiated to evaluate and monitor MACs and other public institutions' compliance with laws that mandate them to disclose their activities proactively. The objective is to establish the extent of institutions' disclosure of vital information relating to good governance within the public domain, with emphasis on websites and portals of MACs.

James Koryor, National Coordinator, LCACC

The LCACC boss furthered that the assessment follows a conscientious review of international conventions and commitments, among which include: the United Nation Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC), 2004; The Open Government Partnership; the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, 2006; Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 10 and 16; Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; Special Session of the General Assembly Against Corruption, 2021 and other local laws which are detailed in the report.

The assessment of one hundred eighteen (118) MACs and SOEs were done using the same TII assessment mechanism. The variables are built around Website Integrity, Fiscal Transparency, Open Procurement, Anti-Corruption, Citizens Engagement, Human Resources and Inclusion.

Presenting the findings, Koryor indicate that of the 118 institutions assessed, the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission securing the top position with an impressive score of 51.53%. Ministry of Education follows closely in the 2nd position with a notable score of 36.33%, while the Liberia Electricity Corporation holds the 3rd position with a score of 34.03%.

These scores provide a comprehensive evaluation of the institutions' performance, with the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission emerging as the top performer. Koryor Noted.

Ms. Banica S. Elliott, President, FLY

Also speaking at the event were scores of CSOs leaders including the President of the Federation of Liberian Youth Ms. Banica S. Elliott who commended the LCACC for the report stressing that access to information is a critical transparency tool to promote good governance.

Mr. Matthias Yeanay, Executive Director, IREDD

For his part, the executive director for the Institute for Research & Democratic Development-IREDD, Mr. Matthias Yeanay use to occasion to call on the National Elections Commission to provide adequate information in keeping with the elections laws of Liberia. He overall welcomes the Index.

Daniel Nyankonah, Acting President, PUL

Also making remarks, the Vice President and Acting President of the Press Union of Liberia, Mr. Daniel Nyankonah, commended LCACC and CeFTIW for the first transparency and integrity index for Liberia, stating that the index will serve as a reference for public institutions to improve transparency.

Mr. Federico Foti, EU Delegation in Liberia

Representing the European Delegation in Liberia, Mr. Federico Foti, commended the LCACC for the Index and continous promotion of transparency and accountability in Liberia. Mr. Foti encourages LCACC to engage the EU to be able to access partnership opportunities available at the EU office in Liberia.

Participating via online, the executive director for the Center for Fiscal Transparency & Integrity Watch, Mr. Umar Yakubu commended LCACC for the collaborative partnership to adopt the transparency and integrity index for Liberia and was able to launch its first edition. He promised more engagement with the LCACC for a sustained partnership.

Mr. Armah Johnson, IIC Representative

An official statement was made by the Independent information Commission, representative, Mr. Armah Johnson on behalf of the executive director in commemoration of the 2023 International Day for Universal Access to Information

Deputy Minister of Finance for Fiscal Affairs, Hon. Samora P.Z. Wolokolie

Serving as Keynote speaker, the Deputy Minister of Finance for Fiscal Affairs, Hon. Samora P.Z. Wolokolie, stated that the process of evaluating 118 governmental and public institutions for the 2023 Transparency & Integrity Index has been rigorous and meticulous. It underscores our commitment to ensuring that every sector of our government operates with transparency and remains accountable to the citizens it serves.

As a mark of demonstration to the commitment of Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) ensuring Fiscal transparency in its financial management and governance processes, MFDP has been providing and will continue to improve weekly fiscal reports. The Fiscal Reports provide detailed information on Budget Appropriation, Allotments, Financial Budgeting balances, approved vouchers, outstanding cheques. These reports are made publicly available on the website of the MFDP. Hon. Wolokolie stressed.

Launching the report, the Chairperson of the Technical Committee for the National Integrity Forum, Atty. Gloria Zayzay Dole commended the LCACC and CeFTIW for the level of work done in promoting transparency in public sector governance in Liberia.

Atty. Dole use the occasion to admonish Liberians to be promote integrity at all time, because lack of integrity undermines democratic values, promote corruption and overall increase poverty.

Atty. Dole further stated that the NIF will work with the LCACC in popularizing the Transparency and Integrity Index by ensuring that every public institution assessed received a copy of the index as she officially launched the Index.

The Transparency and Integrity Index is an initiative of the Liberia CSOs Anti-Corruption Coalition with support from the Center for Fiscal Transparecny & Integrity Watch-Nigeria

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LCACC and Partners Launch Transparency & Integrity Index 2023 Methodology Handbook

Earlier today, the Liberia CSOs Anti-Corruption Coalition in partnership with the Center for Fiscal Transparency & Integrity Watch- Nigeria Launched the Transparency & Integrity Index 2023 Methodology Handbook for Liberia.

This methodology handbook seeks to provide a detailed explanation of the variables and the scoring criteria for the evaluation and assessment of openness and transparency of public institutions. The Transparency and Integrity Index (TII) was adopted to promote transparency, monitor public sector expenditure, and strengthen the integrity mechanisms of public institutions in Liberia.

James Koryor, National Coordinator LCACC

Hon. Emmanuel Howe, Executive Director Independent Infomation Commission

According to LCACC National Coordinator, James Koryor, the assessment of various Government Ministries, Agencies and Commissions (MACs) and other government institutions will be conducted around the following six (6) thematic areas: Website Integrity, Fiscal Transparency, Open Procurement, Anti-Corruption, Citizens Engagement/ Responsiveness, Human Resources and Inclusion.

Lawrence Yealue, Country Rep. Accountability Launcher at the event

The LCACC Boss furthered that the pioneer edition of the TII in Liberia, the 2023 assessment will focus on eleven (11) sectors including: Public Administration Sector, Municipal Government Sector, Transparency and Accountability Sector, Security and the Rule of Law Sector, Health Sector, Social Development Services Sector, Education Sector, Energy and Environment Sector, Agriculture Sector, Infrastructure and Basic Services Sector, and Industry and Commerce Sector.

Koryor also stated that the assessment will be conducted from June- August 2023 and Public presentation of the findings: The public presentation of the findings will be held on the 28th September 2023, commemorating the United Nations Day for Universal Access to Information.

Cllr. Kanio Bai Gbala, Vice Chairman, Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission

Making opening statements and special remarks at the event included the National Vice President of the Federation of Liberian Youth, Jeremiah Wilson, Press Union of Liberia Program Officer, James L. Davids , IREDD Executive Director, Matthias Yeanay, Governance Commission, Policy Analyst, Netugba Wesseh, the National Risk & Outreach Manager at the Financial Intelligence Agency of Liberia, Cooper Leamah, II.

Others key institutions included the Independent Information Commission represented by its Executive Director, Mr. Emmanuel Howe, CSO budget Platform Coordinator, Mr. Narvin Ireland, CENTAL Senior Program Officer, Atty. Isaac Nyantte, Jr. the Executive Director of Accountability Lab, Blair Glencorse and the Vice Chaairman of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission, Cllr. Kanio Bai Gbala.

Blair Glencorse, Executive Director Accountability Lab

Also making special remarks was the Executive Director for the Center for Fiscal Transparency & Integrity Watch; Mr. Umar Yakubu lamented on the significance of the partnership and committed his institution continuous support towards promoting transparency and integrity in the public sector in Africa.

Matthias Yeanay, Executive Director, Institute for Research & Democratic Development

For his part Mr. Lawrence Yealue, Country Representative of Accountability Lab commended LCACC and CeFTIW for the initiative and pleadge his institution support to seeing the TII been successful in Liberia as he Launch the Transparency and integrity Index Methodology Handbook stating that it’s a great leap in promoting open Governance in Liberia.

Joseph Cheayan, Executive Diector IDAD Coalition Member

Atty. Isaac Nyantte, Jr. Senior Program Officer, CENTAL

Narvin Ireland, Coordinator, CSO Budget Platform

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