IIC, CENTAL Conduct FOI, Anti-Corruption Training -Liberia Steps Up for Transparency, Fight against Corruption

MONROVIA – The Independent Information Commission (IIC) in collaboration with the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has concluded a Freedom of Information (FOI) awareness, compliance, integrity building, and anti-corruption training for departmental and sectional heads of the Internal Audit Agency (IAA), National Bureau of Concession (NBC), and the National Commission on Disabilities.

IIC Executive Director Madam Lorpu Page emphasized that compliance with the FOI Act is critical for every ministry, agency, commission, department, and corporation.

“The awareness of the FOI Act is critical for every Ministry, Agency, Commission, Department and Corporation because leadership at your level determines whether compliance becomes an institutional culture or remains just a legal obligation,” she said.

She added that compliance with the FOI Act requires proactive disclosure of information, proper record keeping, efficient information management systems, and a willingness to engage the public in an open and transparent manner.

“When we integrate compliance in our work, we promote efficiency; reduce secrecy and impunity enabling citizens to make informed contributions to national development,” she noted.

Page also stressed the importance of integrity building, saying, “Corruption remains one of the greatest obstacles to national progress and undermines public confidence, distorts resource allocation, and weakens institutional effectiveness. For this reason, our fight against corruption and our commitment to integrity must remain strong.”

CENTAL Executive Director Anderson Maimen highlighted the importance of access to information in promoting a culture of accountability, transparency, and integrity in Liberia.

“Proactive disclosure of information is important. You don’t have to wait for people to knock at your door before you give information,” he said.

The training brought together over 30 participants from various government institutions, including the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission, Internal Audit Agency, General Audit Commission, and Liberia Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative.