The Governance Commission (GC) has thrown its weight behind the Liberia Anti‑Corruption Commission (LACC), urging the watchdog to wield its powers with independence and ferocity in the fight against graft.
The rallying call came from Oversight Commissioner Matthew Ballah Kollie Jr., who delivered a message during the LACC’s 18th anniversary celebration in Monrovia.
Speaking on behalf of the GC, Kollie reminded the audience that it was the commission that drafted and championed the landmark 2008 law establishing the LACC — a law designed to transform audits and investigations into real accountability.
Kollie traced the Commission’s evolution through three defining eras:
2008–2015: The Formative Era — laying the foundation, building standards, and confronting misconduct. 2016–2022: The Transition Era — expanding investigations and tightening asset declaration systems, and 2023–2026: The Modern Era — wielding broader legal powers and sharpening preventive measures against corruption.
Despite these milestones, Kollie warned that corruption continues to erode public trust and cripple service delivery. He challenged the LACC to act “without fear or favor,” stressing that prevention must be prioritized before corruption takes root.
The Oversight Commissioner pledged unwavering cooperation between the GC and LACC, vowing to strengthen policies, close administrative loopholes, and embed integrity across public institutions. “The fight against corruption is not cosmetic,” Kollie declared. “It is structural, systemic, and essential to Liberia’s survival.”
The anniversary gathering drew government officials, civil society leaders, international partners, and LACC staff. Together, they reviewed the Commission’s journey and debated the future of Liberia’s anti‑corruption struggle.
The event underscored a sobering truth: strong institutions are the backbone of accountability, the shield for public resources, and the bridge to restoring citizens’ confidence in government.
As Liberia battles entrenched graft, the GC’s message was unmistakable — the LACC must rise above intimidation, resist manipulation, and deliver justice with unflinching resolve. The watchdog has matured, the mandate is clear, and the nation is watching.
