MONROVIA – The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) has officially launched its Asset Declaration Verification Process, targeting 175 public officials from the current and previous administrations. The initiative, announced during a consultative meeting held on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, is aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability in Liberia’s public sector.
The one-day meeting brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) and the Liberia Business Registry (LBR), to strengthen inter-agency collaboration. Acting Executive Director of the LACC, Mr. James K. Kingsley, highlighted the importance of cooperation in ensuring a credible verification process. “Accurate verification of declared assets requires cooperation among institutions to build public trust,” Kingsley emphasized.
Ms. Vivian S. Akoto, Executive Assistant and Program Manager to the LACC Executive Chairperson, provided details about the initiative. She noted that any discrepancies uncovered during the verification process would be publicly disclosed, with false declarations referred to the Monitoring and Investigation Department for appropriate action.
The verification process, scheduled to run from November 25, 2024, to January 31, 2025, is funded by the LACC and the Government of Liberia. The initiative will include rigorous reviews of asset declarations, field inspections, and cross-checking financial records against property and business ownership data. Agencies such as the Liberia Land Authority and the Ministry of Transport are expected to provide critical resources to support the verification process.
LRA Assistant Commissioner for Professional Ethics, Mr. Sumo Kalaplee, applauded the LACC for its efforts, pointing out that the LRA already requires its employees to declare assets and supports thorough verification. The LBR and other participating agencies also pledged their full cooperation, committing resources to ensure the initiative’s success.
Violations identified during the verification will be addressed in accordance with the New LACC Act of 2022, further demonstrating the Commission’s commitment to tackling corruption.
The meeting concluded with stakeholders reaffirming their dedication to upholding accountability and ethical standards in public service. The LACC believes that this initiative will restore public trust and strengthen governance in Liberia’s institutions.
This effort underscores the LACC’s ongoing mission to combat corruption and promote transparency, setting a significant benchmark for integrity in Liberia’s public sector.
