The Liberia Civil Aviation Authority (LCAA), in collaboration with the Office of the Ombudsman, held a Code of Conduct Awareness and Signing Ceremony on Monday, November 4, 2024, at the LCAA Headquarters in Margibi County. The event, themed “Building Relationships to Implement the Code of Conduct,” underscored the importance of integrity, collaboration, and accountability in the public sector.
In his welcome remarks, Julius Dennis, Director General of LCAA, emphasized the Authority’s renewed commitment to upholding the code of conduct, calling it essential for promoting efficient and ethical public service.
He encouraged LCAA employees to apply the insights from the workshop to strengthen both the institution and Liberia as a whole.
Cllr. Prof. Findley Y. Karngar, head of the Office of the Ombudsman, elaborated on the history and structure of Liberia’s Code of Conduct. Originally developed in 2014, the Code consists of 20 sections outlining guidelines for ethical behavior among public officials.
Karngar highlighted two key amendments: the first, in 2017, which formally established the functional role of the Office of the Ombudsman; and the second, in December 2022, which reduced the mandatory resignation period for public officials seeking elected office from two years to one year.
He noted that the Supreme Court ruling in the Abu Kamara case re-enforced that all public servants across executive, legislative, and judicial branches are subject to this requirement.
The Code of Conduct, according to Karngar, was developed in response to historical issues of collusion, nepotism, and conflicts of interest within government. He referenced Liberia’s infamous 1979 “Rice Riots,” after which President William R. Tolbert appointed a committee, led by Nete Sie Brownell, to address these problems. Among its recommendations was the establishment of measures to prevent government officials from exploiting their positions for personal gain, an idea that eventually evolved into the Code of Conduct under the Constitution’s Section 90.
Karngar provided an overview of the Ombudsman’s role, as defined by Article 12 of the Code of Conduct law, which involves enforcing ethical standards, investigating alleged violations (referred to as “infringements”), and monitoring public servants’ compliance.
He acknowledged that, while the Ombudsman’s mandate is broad, encompassing investigatory powers similar to a quasi-judicial role, the office currently lacks the structural and technical resources needed to fully execute its responsibilities. Consequently, he emphasized the need for partnership with public agencies, encouraging a collective effort to uphold ethical standards.
“Our focus now is on building relationships within public service to implement the Code of Conduct effectively,” Karngar stated, adding that cooperation with other government entities is essential for fostering a culture of accountability in Liberia. He noted that while the original 2014 Code of Conduct is available online, recent amendments from 2017 and 2022 will soon be published on the Ombudsman’s website to improve public accessibility.
The ceremony concluded with a formal signing of the Code of Conduct by LCAA employees, symbolizing their commitment to ethical practices in the aviation sector.
