By Stephen G. Fellajuah
In a bid to bolster transparency, accountability, and adherence to Liberia’s Freedom of Data (FOI) regulation, the Unbiased Data Fee (IIC), in partnership with the Middle for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), has hosted a coaching workshop for departmental and sectional heads from the Inside Audit Company (IAA), Nationwide Bureau of Concession (NBC), and Nationwide Fee on Disabilities (NCD).
Talking on the closing ceremony on Thursday, October 9, 2025, in Congo City, IIC Govt Director, Madam Lorpu Web page, emphasised that the notice of the FOI Act is important for each Ministry, Company, Fee, Division, and Company as a result of management at their stage determines whether or not compliance turns into an institutional tradition or stays only a authorized obligation.
She elaborated that compliance goes past merely responding to requests, saying that it requires proactive disclosure of knowledge, correct file conserving, an environment friendly data administration system, and above all, the willingness to interact the general public in an open and clear method.
“Once we combine compliance in our work, we promote effectivity; scale back secrecy and impunity, enabling residents to make knowledgeable contributions to nationwide growth,” she famous.
On the subject of integrity, she added they have to additionally concentrate on integrity constructing as departmental and sectoral heads. She emphasised that such establishments are the custodian of public belief and the values they uphold and the requirements they set clearly form the moral local weather of their division.
The IIC boss warned that corruption stays one of many biggest obstacles to nationwide progress, undermining public confidence, distorting useful resource allocation, and weakening institutional effectiveness. Because of this, in response to her, the struggle towards corruption and dedication to integrity should stay sturdy.
Madam Web page reminded members that this coaching was meant to arm them with sensible instruments and understanding to make FOI compliance and anti-corruption work a part of on a regular basis public service:
“Allow us to strategy this coaching not as a mere requirement however as a chance to reaffirm our dedication to openness, accountability, and good governance, and attempt to work with our establishment heads to place into place the Freedom of Data normal in our varied establishments that can guarantee compliance with the FOI Regulation”, she additional emphasised.
For his half, CENTAL Govt Director Anderson Maimen burdened that entry to data is important for constructing a tradition of accountability.
“Proactive disclosure of knowledge is necessary. You don’t have to attend for folks to knock in your door earlier than sharing data. Each time you enable folks to take a position is often towards the knowledge.”
Referring to the contentious Presidential Villas challenge in Lofa County, he stated,
“For instance, there was public outcry in regards to the challenge that’s allegedly being constructed, which is termed as Presidential Valla. We take that title as a result of the federal government has not offered the general public with clear data on the challenge’s particulars, funding supply, and different data vital for the general public to make an knowledgeable resolution. No person is aware of why the federal government is withholding useful details about that challenge. Being open, being clear, and being proactive in giving data helps to challenge you positively to people who you serve.”
IAA Director Basic David Kemah highlighted the function of knowledge in accountability. In response to him, disseminating data to residents requires entry to data. It provides the general public the flexibility to have the ability to maintain their authorities accountable. Transparency and integrity in authorities depend on data. For transparency in authorities, folks must know what’s going on”, he advised the gathering.
In the meantime, LEITI Head of Secretariat, Jeffrey N. Yates, described data provision as a matter of human rights.
“We have to present the knowledge. Data provision is a human rights concern. More often than not we’ve data at our places of work, however the way in which we organized it’s the place we’ve the problem”, he stated.
As well as, Yates famous, “Typically are doing effectively on the entity, however as a result of you aren’t offering the knowledge, disinformation and misinformation may have a spot unfold. The place there may be data provision, one thing occurs; you construct public belief between the residents and the federal government; in case you don’t present the knowledge, then the residents will speculate.”
The coaching introduced collectively over 30 members from varied authorities entities, together with the Liberia Anti-Corruption Fee, Basic Auditing Fee (GAC), LACC (Inside Audit Company), and LEITI, amongst others. Its intention is to strengthen public establishments, deepen transparency, and construct belief between the federal government and residents. Enhancing by Jonathan Browne
