MONROVIA – The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) on Thursday, August 28, 2025, held an engagement with Ms. Barrie Freeman, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, at the One UN House in Monrovia.
Ms. Freeman, who is visiting Liberia from August 28 to 30, 2025, as part of her participation in the launch of Liberia’s National Action Plan on Youth, Peace and Security, requested the meeting to discuss anti-corruption initiatives and explore stronger collaboration between the United Nations and the Commission. The meeting was facilitated by the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Liberia, Ms. Christine N. Umutoni, and attended by Ms. Ecoma Alaga, Senior Political Affairs Officer with the UN’s Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs.
During the discussions, LACC’s Executive Chairperson, Cllr. Alexandra Kormah Zoe, provided an overview of the Commission’s ongoing work in combating corruption, covering prevention, investigation, enforcement, and awareness. She stressed that the Commission’s priority is to build a culture of integrity across Liberia’s public sector.
“We remain fully committed to fostering accountability and transparency within Liberia’s governance structures,” Cllr. Zoe said. “Corruption undermines public trust, but through collective action, we can strengthen institutions and empower citizens to resist and report it.”
She also expressed gratitude to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for its continued support, noting that UNDP remains the Commission’s primary sponsor, especially in funding its nationwide awareness programs. According to her, these programs are vital in empowering citizens to stand against corrupt practices.
A key point of the engagement was the discussion on the proposed establishment of a National Anti-Corruption Court. The LACC Chairperson disclosed that consultations are ongoing with the hope of having the court operational by 2026. She explained that such a specialized court is critical to ensure that corruption cases are handled efficiently, prosecuted by experts, and resolved in a timely manner, thereby boosting public confidence in the justice system.
Ms. Freeman welcomed the insights and reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to supporting Liberia’s anti-corruption drive. She commended the LACC’s efforts and stressed the importance of continued collaboration between the Commission and the UN system.
The LACC reiterated its commitment to strengthening partnerships with both national and international actors, while continuing to push for reforms and institutional mechanisms aimed at enhancing accountability and integrity in Liberia’s governance framework.
