The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) along with the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), has hosted a one-day anti-corruption dialogue on how to advocate for increased budgetary support to anti-corruption efforts in Liberia.
The one-day dialogue, which was held on Wednesday April 17, 2024 at the Boulevard Palace Hotel in Sinkor, seeks to enhance the effectiveness of the national budget as a tool for anti-corruption initiatives and reform. It was held under the theme, “Increasing Funding to Anti-Corruption Efforts: Benefits and Recommended Actions”.
Speaking during the occasion, the Executive Director of CENTAL, Anderson D. Maimen, disclosed that there has not been enough funds in the budget for anti-corruption priorities; as such, the program is intended to facilitate conversation among stakeholders around anti-corruption purposes.
He said one of the important things about strengthening anti-corruption effort or putting more money in the budget for integrity institutions to work is by identifying loopholes in the system.
“LRA may not get the kind of taxes we need if we do not identify the loopholes in our system; that’s why we need to strengthen and empower integrity institutions to work at the level required,” the CENTAL boss stated.
“It is important that we increase support to integrity institutions and get them to do the kind of work that they have to do.
Miamen added that the outcome from the dialogue will further ensure the kind of advocacy needed so that everyone can work together along with the policy makers to put money in the budget for integrity institutions.
For her part, the Program Officer from the Swedish embassy, Nikolina Stalhand, said that they are aware that the government is prioritizing the area of corruption but more needs to be done to enforce the laws, and called on everyone to work collectively in making this effective.
“We know that the Liberian government is prioritizing this area. In order for this to happen is not only to pass legislation or establish institutions; we all need to make sure that institutions are reenforced and that the laws are abided by, and when they are not abided by there are consequences,” said Nikolina.
The program was attended by some members of the legislature, including Speaker J. Fonati Koffa, Senator Amara Konneh, Representative Clarence G. Gahr, P. Garswa Jackson, Cllr. Alexandra K. Zoe, Jeffrey N. Yates, Representative Moima Briggs Mansah, Nikolina Stalhand, among others.