IPNEWS: Former Executive Chairperson of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), Cllr. James N. Verdier, Jr., has issued a powerful warning: Liberia cannot win the fight against corruption while starving integrity institutions of the resources they need to operate.
Speaking at the National Anti-Corruption Financing Policy Dialogue in Monrovia, Verdier described corruption as “an economic cancer” that robs citizens of essential services, undermines democracy, and disproportionately affects the poor. He stressed that Liberia’s key watchdog institutions—including the LACC, GAC, IAA, FIA, and PPCC—remain crippled by chronic underfunding.
Verdier argued that agencies tasked with investigating public officials should not depend financially on the same political actors they are mandated to scrutinize—a situation he described as both “ironic and dangerous.” He recommended stronger financing reforms such as legislative control over budgets, multi-year funding, legal protection from arbitrary cuts, and allowing agencies to retain a share of recovered assets.
He insisted that financial independence is essential for integrity institutions to function “without fear or favor,” noting that international evidence shows corruption agencies are most effective when backed by stable, autonomous funding.
CENTAL’s Executive Director, Anderson D. Miamem, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to pushing for stronger financial support to anti-graft bodies. He outlined the dialogue’s goals: boosting budget advocacy, improving information-sharing, and strengthening partnerships among government, civil society, donors, and citizens.
The European Union Ambassador, Nona Deprez, also pledged the EU’s continued support, emphasizing that increased funding must be paired with transparency and responsible use of public resources.
The event, supported by SIDA through the Embassy of Sweden, highlighted a common message: Liberia cannot achieve accountable governance unless its integrity institutions are equipped and empowered to do their job. By: Sampson W. Weah, sampsonwweah7@gmail.com
