We will not retreat

The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission or LACC says it will not retreat in its quest to prosecute individuals that are caught in corruption. The commission describes corruption as something that undermines the development of a country.

“The role of the LACC is to investigate any institution in an alleged act of corruption; we strongly believe in the ability of our investigators at the LACC to prove that this institution or individuals is guilty of corruption, it is not a one man’s fight, but rather it is global fight”, said LACC Commissioner for Prevention and Education madam Aba Dolo.

Addressing reporters in a regular press briefing at the Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism on Capitol Hill, Commissioner Dolo said if somebody were accused of being corrupt, the evidence must be produced, but “we at the LACC will not go down on our knees crying, we will not retreat from our responsibility to prosecute.”

She noted that 12 years ago, the country never had an anti-graft institution to fight corruption, adding “I say this, because the war against corruption is not an event, it is a process that requires the collective efforts of citizens that really don’t want to see this happening in our society.”

In line with United Nations resolution 58.4 December 9, every year globally is observed as International Anti-Corruption Day. Commissioner Dolo added that everyone is aware that corruption attacks the foundation of democratic institutions such as by diffracting electoral process, which undermines the rule of law as well as creates bureaucratic problem thru soliciting bribe, while foreign investment is discouraged.

She said small businesses encounter difficulties in succeeding, because of this act, noting that corruption threatens transformation, which is the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development. In this regard, on October 31, 2003, the UN Assembly adapted resolution 58.4, creating the United Nations Convention against Corruption.

She said the resolution is the first legally binding international Anti- corruption instrument that seeks to promote awareness on corruption, narrating that the UNODC was designated as the secretary for the United Nations fight against corruption.

“There are 194 passages to the treaty, and Liberia is a party to that treaty, but since 2009, the LACC, and its partners celebrated INCD in Liberia, and it is against this backdrop that we are celebrating this day, it is celebrated under the theme “Unite against corruption for development, and security” a weeklong celebration that began on Tuesday, and will climax in Bong County”, Commissioner Dolo detailed.

She pointed out that often it is publicly said that the LACC is doing nothing in the fight against corruption, but noted that since 2003 the United Nations has found it difficult to establishing the treaty, which speaks volume that corruption is not only a Liberia’s problem, but requires a global collective efforts to combat the act.

By Lewis S. Teh-Editing by Jonathan Browne