The Liberia Chapter of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), Chapter #198, has kicked off a three-day intensive anti-fraud conference aimed at refreshing and broadening the minds of Certified Fraud Examiners, associates, internal and external auditors, lawyers, law enforcement professionals, bankers, investigators, and risk and compliance officers in the fight against fraud.
Held at the Paynesville City Hall, the event runs from 27 November to 2 December 2025. The workshop features critical topics including Integrating Fraud Risks Into Enterprise Risk Management and Red Flags and Fraud Schemes in Procurement and Asset Management.
In his opening address, ACFE Liberia Chapter President, Atty. Augustine G. Chenoway, emphasized the collective responsibility of participants, noting that each of the participants represents a vital link in the chain of accountability, and together they can form a powerful network committed to protecting trust, transparency, and ethical leadership.
Drawing attention to global fraud trends, citing the 2024 Global Fraud Survey (Report to the Nations), the President highlighted the severity of the challenge: the report captured 1,921 fraud cases from 138 countries and revealed that organizations worldwide lose an estimated 5% of revenue, totaling US$3.1 billion.
He cautioned that fraud is not merely a financial crime, it is a breach of confidence that undermines governance, erodes public trust, and weakens the very foundations of our organizations.”
He added that in an era marked by rapid technological change and complex financial systems, “our responsibility is greater than ever.”
Chenoway stressed that the workshop would deliver cutting-edge tools, proven investigative techniques, and real-world case studies covering ethical leadership, governance, procurement risks, asset management, and anomaly detection. Beyond that, he said it serves as a platform to strengthen collaboration and reaffirm collective commitment to confronting the menace of fraud.
Speaking on behalf of President Chenoway, Jarwo Nutah Cooper, CFE, CIA, Training Director of ACFE Liberia, encouraged full participation from attendees.
“Let us leave here not only with enhanced knowledge, but with renewed determination to lead with integrity and to build systems that withstand the pressures of fraud and corruption,” he urged.
The Director General of Liberia’s Internal Audit Agency (IAA), David A. Kemah, also delivered remarks, underscoring the necessity of continuous capacity building. He described training as essential to keep up with the sophistication of criminals, the complexity of their work, and being able to stay ahead with confidence.
Also, the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC) extended appreciation to ACFE Liberia for organizing the training, noting that strong internal controls and a culture of accountability remain central to improving service reliability and strengthening public trust.
Representing LEC, D. Clifford M. Russell, Senior Auditor, highlighted that the corporation is currently undergoing major operational realignment, guided by a strategic plan anchored on five pillars: financial sustainability, operational excellence, customer focus, governance and institutional effectiveness, and digital transformation.
“These foundational blocks not only catapult the entity, but reaffirm our commitment to transparency, compliance, and good governance,” Russell told participants confidently.
