Monrovia Liberia - The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) welcomed the new Country Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Mr. Aliou Mamadou Dia to its headquarters. The Country Representative was welcomed by the Executive Chairperson Cllr. Alexandra K. Zoe, the Vice Executive Chair Mr. Ernest Hughes and other Senior staff of the Commission.

During the courtesy meeting, Cllr. Zoe thanked the UNDP for the collaboration on the Strengthening Rule of Law Project and the Social Accountability Project. The two projects are being implemented by the Commission in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme with funding from the Peace Building Fund Office in Liberia. The projects raise anti-corruption awareness and anti-corruption community outreach as well as conducting trainings for personnel of the Judiciary, staff of public Integrity institutions, CSOs, Students, Local government officials and Traditional leaders. . Because of these interventions, there is an increased awareness about corruption among citizens at the county and community level. Additionally, training beneficiaries are encouraged to report corruption and to hold the leaders accountable, while promoting transparency and accountability for improved public service delivery in local government administration.

Discussions at the meeting spotlighted the LACC's five-year strategic plan for the period 2025-2029, and highlighted some priorities of the Commissions as follows:

• the National Anti-corruption Strategy (NACS)

• Conduct of a comprehensive corruption risk assessment across all Ministries, Agencies and Commissions (MACs). 

• Developing and Publishing  handbooks, manuals for Monitoring &Investigation, Prosecution, Education & Prevention Departments. 

• Conduct a National Anti-Corruption Survey to establish a baseline for corruption in Liberia, among others

The UNDP Country Representative, Mr. Aliou Mamadou Dia assured the LACC of his institution's unwavering support to the commission. He added that fighting corruption is key on his agenda as he and his team will support LACC in this fight against corruption in Liberia.

He indicated that he believes in the vision of the LACC, and informed the Chairperson and her team that the UNDP is working on its five-year Country Program Document (CPD) and promised to prioritize the inclusion of anti-corruption program in said document. According to him, there will be special program or special projects to look into anti-corruption issues.