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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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