By: Sampat JMB Kpakimah
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with Naymote Partners for Democratic Development and the Governance Commission, has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance in Liberia through a national dialogue on anti-corruption reforms.
The one-day National Dialogue was held on Friday, July 10, 2026 In Monrovia was discussed on Strengthening Integrity and Accountability Systems in Liberia brought together nearly 60 representatives from government institutions, integrity bodies, civil society organizations, development partners, and local governance actors under the theme: “Strengthening Anti-Corruption and Integrity Systems to Advance Social Accountability, Inclusive Governance, Public Participation, and Improved Service Delivery.”
The dialogue formed part of the UNDP and United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (PBF)-supported project, Empowering Citizens and Communities for Social Accountability, Transparent Governance, and Improved Public Service Delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the UNDP Resident Representative, Inclusive Governance Pillar Head Stanley Kamara described corruption as a major obstacle to national development, warning that it continues to erode public trust, weaken institutions, and undermine effective service delivery.
He stressed that accountable governance requires not only strong institutions but also active citizen participation, transparency, and equal opportunities for women, youth, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized groups to influence public decision-making.
Representing both the United Nations Resident Coordinator and the UNDP Resident Representative, UN Women Country Representative Abul Hasnat Monjurul Kabir said corruption disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, including women, persons with disabilities, and those living in poverty.
He urged stakeholders to move beyond dialogue by implementing practical reforms that improve citizens’ lives and strengthen public confidence in governance.
The dialogue assessed Liberia’s progress in promoting integrity and accountability, with representatives from the General Auditing Commission (GAC), the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), and the Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI) highlighting achievements in public auditing, anti-corruption investigations, and transparency in the extractive sector.
Participants acknowledged improvements in audit coverage, publication of audit reports, and enhanced oversight of natural resources, while expressing concern over weak enforcement of audit recommendations, delays in prosecuting corruption cases, limited institutional capacity, and inadequate coordination among oversight institutions.
Speaking on behalf of LEITI and as Chairperson of the National Integrity Forum (NIF), Jeffrey Nukata Yates said producing credible reports alone is insufficient if recommendations are not implemented. He called for stronger enforcement of accountability measures, effective prosecution of corruption cases, and greater protection of public resources through full implementation of existing laws and audit findings. Participants also raised concerns about revenue leakages in the extractive sector despite increased transparency through reconciliation reports, concession disclosures, and beneficial ownership reporting.
Civil society organizations used the forum to highlight the growing role of citizen participation in strengthening accountability through community monitoring initiatives, advocacy campaigns, and public engagement programs. Participants praised the work of Social Accountability Monitors (SAMs) and County Accountability and Advocacy Teams (CAATs) in tracking county development projects and monitoring public spending, while noting that public awareness of county budgets, procurement processes, and development planning remains low.
Discussions also focused on the role of technology in improving governance, with participants highlighting digital auditing systems, online corruption reporting platforms, automated compliance monitoring, and the use of CommCare to strengthen county-level accountability. Stakeholders agreed that expanding digital governance tools would improve transparency, strengthen oversight, and make it easier for citizens to report corruption.
The dialogue further examined opportunities created by Liberia’s decentralization process under the Local Government Act. Participants emphasized the need to strengthen County Councils, improve local oversight, and institutionalize public consultations before approving county development plans and budgets.
The meeting concluded with a series of recommendations, including the establishment of a specialized anti-corruption court, stronger whistleblower protections, improved enforcement of audit findings, expanded digital accountability systems, enhanced transparency in the extractive sector, increased public access to information, and stronger collaboration among government institutions, civil society organizations, development partners, and the Legislature.
Participants also called for greater representation of women, youth, and persons with disabilities in governance and oversight institutions.
Stakeholders agreed that strengthening integrity and accountability requires both effective institutions and active citizen engagement. Through the Peacebuilding Fund-supported initiative, UNDP and its partners pledged continued support for reforms aimed at improving public service delivery, promoting transparent governance, and empowering Liberians to participate meaningfully in decision-making.
The dialogue concluded with a clear message: restoring public trust and improving governance will depend on translating recommendations into concrete action and ensuring accountability is reflected in the daily lives of citizens across Liberia.
