MONROVIA – The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has intensified its push for transparency by engaging House Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon in a high-level discussion aimed at evaluating corruption trends and strengthening accountability across Liberia’s public sector.
The meeting, held on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, forms part of CENTAL’s ongoing research under its National Integrity and Anti-Corruption Program. The initiative seeks to critically assess the prevalence of corruption in Liberia while examining the effectiveness of government interventions in promoting transparency, accountability, and adherence to the rule of law in line with global standards.
Leading the engagement were CENTAL’s Program Manager, Chejuah Rogget Chea, and the institution’s Head of Gender and Inclusion, Clara Kuju Mallah. Through an in-depth, interview-based approach, the team sought to extract firsthand insights from the Speaker on how the Legislature is responding to mounting public concerns over corruption.
At the heart of the discussion were pressing questions: How committed is the government to supporting anti-corruption institutions? Are internal mechanisms within public offices strong enough to detect and punish wrongdoing? And to what extent is corruption still entrenched within Liberia’s governance system?
Speaker Koon, who presides over the House of Representatives, was also asked to provide clarity on measures being implemented within the Legislature to address corruption both internally and externally. The conversation extended to the availability of institutional records, including documented actions, disciplinary measures, and statistical data on corruption-related cases involving public officials.
CENTAL’s engagement further explored the structural and political challenges undermining anti-corruption efforts in Liberia. From limited resources to institutional resistance, the dialogue highlighted the complex realities confronting reformers seeking to build a transparent governance system.
Importantly, the discussion looked ahead, focusing on proposed reforms and strategic priorities for 2026 and beyond. These include strengthening oversight functions, enhancing institutional independence, and ensuring that anti-corruption efforts are not only reactive but preventive in nature.
According to Chea, the Speaker’s responses will play a significant role in shaping CENTAL’s forthcoming report, which is expected to provide a comprehensive assessment of corruption trends and government performance. The report is anticipated to serve as both a diagnostic tool and a roadmap for policymakers, civil society, and international partners.
At the conclusion of the meeting, CENTAL presented a series of key publications to Speaker Koon. These included its 2024 State of Corruption Report, an evaluation of governance during the early phase of the administration of Joseph Nyuma Boakai, and findings from a study examining public expenditure under the County Social Development Fund across six counties.
