LACC Holds Inter-Agencies Dialogue to Launch Asset Declaration Verification

By:  Ezekiel Geeplay

MONROVIA, Nov 20, 2024  The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC)  in  collaboration with  the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), Liberia Business Registry (LBR), poised  to kickstart the Asset Declaration Verification Process.

The expected exercise according to LACC Executive Director James K. Kingsley in a statement dated November 19, 2024, aims to strengthen inter-agency collaboration in ensuring transparency and accountability in public office.

Speaking Tuesday in Monrovia during a one day consultative Dialogue forum, LACC Acting Executive Director, Mr. James K. Kingsley, highlighted the importance of a unified approach, emphasizing that “accurate verification of declared assets requires cooperation among institutions to enhance public trust.”

Providing an overview of the initiative, Ms. Vivian S. Akoto, Executive Assistant & Program Manager to the Office of the Executive Chairperson of the LACC, announced that the process will target 175 public officials from both past and present administrations.

“This process is critical to fostering integrity in public service. Discrepancies found during verification will be publicly disclosed, and any false declarations will be turned over to the Monitoring and Investigation Division for further action,” she stated.

Ms. Akoto also confirmed that the verification exercise will run from November 25, 2024, to January 31, 2025, and will be initially funded by the LACC through the Government of Liberia.

The consultative session included inputs from key partners who pledged their support to the initiative. Mr. Sumo Kalaplee, Assistant Commissioner for the Professional Ethics Division at the LRA, commended the LACC for the initiative and shared LRA’s ongoing efforts to enhance accountability within the institution.

 “We have implemented policies requiring all employees to declare their assets and will appreciate that our declarations are verified by the LACC” he noted.

Other partners, including the LBR, expressed their dedication to working closely with the LACC. Collaborative efforts will include financial reviews, validation of property and business ownership, and cross-referencing of records with relevant agencies, such as the Liberia Land Authority and the Ministry of Transport.

The verification process according to LACC will involve a thorough review of asset declarations, cross-checking information with records from partner institutions, conducting field assessments, and analyzing financial activities as findings will be documented, and any violations will be addressed in accordance with the New LACC Act of 2022.

The consultative meeting concluded with a unified commitment to ensuring the success of the verification process. By promoting accountability and upholding ethical standards, the LACC and its partners are working to restore public trust and strengthen governance in Liberia.

Asset Declaration was launched by the administration of President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s three months after taking office in keeping with of good governance for public officials.