MONROVIA – The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), with support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) through the Embassy of Sweden, convened its second National Anti-Corruption Financing Policy Dialogue on Wednesday, November 19, 2025, at the Cape Hotel in Mamba Point. The gathering brought together government officials, civil society actors, international partners, and members of the media to examine the state of anti-corruption financing in Liberia and explore strategies for strengthening integrity institutions. The one-day event was held under the theme Financing Anti-Corruption Efforts to Promote Transparency, Accountability, and Good Governance in Liberia.
The dialogue focused on three core objectives: increasing advocacy for greater budgetary support to anti-graft institutions, enhancing information sharing among stakeholders on progress and challenges in the fight against corruption, and strengthening partnerships across government, civil society, and development institutions. These goals, organizers said, are central to addressing the persistent financial constraints that continue to limit the capacity of Liberia’s integrity agencies.
Delivering the program overview, CENTAL Executive Director Anderson D. Miamen emphasized the importance of broad-based collaboration in confronting corruption, which he described as a deeply rooted challenge that has historically undermined development, weakened public trust, and deprived citizens of essential services. Miamen welcomed representatives from the U.S. Embassy, Swedish Embassy, the European Union, and other international missions, as well as government institutions and civil society partners, underscoring their critical roles in supporting transparency efforts.
Miamen explained that the dialogue forms part of the National Integrity Building and Anti-Corruption Program supported by the people and government of Sweden. He noted that although the program’s second phase, launched in 2024, has contributed to strengthening anti-corruption work, significant gaps remain, particularly in providing adequate financing to key oversight bodies such as the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC). While funding to these institutions has increased marginally over the years, he stressed that allocations remain insufficient to enable them to operate at full capacity.
According to Miamen, these funding shortfalls persist despite the central role integrity institutions play in addressing systemic issues that hinder Liberia’s development. He urged sustained advocacy to mobilize presidential and legislative commitment toward improving budgetary support for anti-graft agencies. As the government prepares its 2026 National Budget, he reminded policymakers that the fight against corruption is foundational to solving broader governance and infrastructural problems.
He further called on civil society organizations to continue exerting pressure on authorities, the media to highlight both achievements and setbacks in anti-corruption work, and development partners to leverage their influence to strengthen Liberia’s accountability ecosystem. The dialogue, he said, should leave participants with a renewed sense of commitment to ensuring that integrity institutions are adequately resourced and empowered.
Speaking during the event, Ambassador Karl Backeus of the Embassy of Sweden in Liberia praised CENTAL for organizing the forum and reaffirmed Sweden’s commitment to supporting governance reforms. He noted that corruption remains a major impediment to economic progress, human rights protection, and equitable service delivery, especially for vulnerable populations. Sustainable development, he said, is unattainable without strong governance systems and reduced corruption.
Ambassador Backeus acknowledged improvements in the level, predictability, and reliability of funding to anti-graft institutions but stressed that continued progress is essential. He also pointed out that Liberia’s anti-corruption architecture is extensive, which risks overlap and inefficiencies. Strengthening collaboration among integrity bodies, he argued, is just as important as increasing their financial resources.
Also in attendance were Ambassador Gerald Considine of Ireland, Madam Comfort Lamptey of UN Women Liberia, EU Ambassador Nona Deprez, Justice Minister Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh, and other senior stakeholders, including CENTAL Board Chair Cllr. T. Negbalee Warner. Their presence, organizers said, reflected the broad international and national interest in strengthening Liberia’s governance systems.
The event concluded with a high-level panel discussion featuring Joint Public Accounts Committee Co-Chair Hon. Clarence G. Gahr, Finance Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, LACC Executive Chairperson Cllr. Alexandra K. Zoe, Ombudsman Chairperson Cllr. Finley Karnga, and Accountability Lab Liberia Country Director Lawrence Yealue II. Panelists explored the opportunities and challenges associated with financing anti-corruption efforts and outlined practical strategies for improving effectiveness across the accountability sector.
As Liberia continues to face with the consequences of corruption on national development, stakeholders at the dialogue agreed that sustained political will, strategic funding, inter-agency coordination, and stronger public engagement remain crucial for enhancing transparency and restoring public trust in governance.
