90% of respondents say corruption high in Liberia

By Lewis S. Teh 

The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has reported that 90% of the respondents believe that corruption remains high in Liberia.

CENTAL’s Second State of Corruption Report (SCORE 2022) made the revelation despite the government’s claim of making strides in fighting the menace.

With support from the Swedish government through the Swedish International Development Corporation Agency (SIDA), CENTAL launched its Second State of Corruption Report over the weekend.

CENTAL SCORE 2022 followed the maiden edition released in 2021.

It reflects people’s views and experiences of corruption and gauges public reactions to the fight against crime in Liberia.

Results of the SCORE 2022 and are presented against the results of the previous report of 2021. 

Making the presentation at a local hotel in Monrovia, Atty. Isaac Nyantte, CENTAL/ALAC Coordinator, revealed that sixty-two percent of those surveyed hold the view that the government’s commitment to fighting corruption remains very low.

It also said 14% rated the government’s commitment as moderate.  

According to him, the public confidence level in public institutions to tackle the menace remains low, rather the majority of respondents believe in the media, religious institutions, and civil society to tackle corruption.

Performing the official launching ceremony, Swedish Ambassador to Liberia Urban Sjöström said the SCORE 2022 indicates that corruption has become seriously alarming, requiring stronger partnerships, collaborations, and shared understanding to fight it.

This report is key for the people of Liberia to come together to fight corruption because the menace is a major obstacle to the growth of Liberia.

He said there’s a need to see that the corruption fight can be strengthened through national ownership, and the good thing is that there’s a possibility within the report for a change.

For her part, the Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Liberia, Kate Thomson, said the British Government places zero tolerance on corruption and will support every effort aimed at curtailing it in Liberia. 

Meanwhile, Cllr. T. Negbalee Warner, Board Chair of CENTAL, acknowledged that the fight against corruption is a holistic process.

He said CENTAL values genuine partnerships to strengthen efforts against the menace. 

He further stated that cooperation matters in tackling corruption at all levels.