Washington D.C. – The Auditor General of Liberia, Hon. P. Garswa Jackson, Sr., has signed a groundbreaking five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Honorable Comptroller General of the United States and Head of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), Mr. Gene L. Dodaro. This historic agreement was finalized in Washington D.C., marking a significant step toward bolstering Liberia’s fight against corruption and enhancing public accountability.
Capacity-Building Initiatives
Under the MOU, the General Auditing Commission (GAC) of Liberia will gain access to a range of capacity-building initiatives offered by the GAO’s Center of Audit Excellence. These initiatives include online and in-person training programs and a prestigious three-month secondment for at least one GAC auditor through the International Auditor Fellowship Program. The GAO, globally acclaimed for its excellence in supporting Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs), now extends its expertise to Liberia, underscoring its commitment to fostering transparency and accountability worldwide.
A Milestone Achievement
This agreement comes at a critical time for Liberia, where accountability and governance reforms have faced challenges amidst lingering corruption scandals. The partnership with the GAO highlights Liberia’s efforts to restore credibility and integrity in its public institutions. The MOU also represents the first such collaboration between the GAO and another Supreme Audit Institution in seven years, reflecting a renewed confidence in Liberia’s commitment to reform.
High-Level Engagements
During his visit to the United States, Hon. Jackson and his delegation will engage with several strategic U.S. institutions critical to advancing the anti-corruption agenda, including Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), Office of the Chief Financial Officer (OCFO) and United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Additionally, Hon. Jackson will meet with two prominent anti-corruption entities including the U.S. State Department’s Global Anti-Corruption Office: Renowned for leading international anti-corruption initiatives and Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) – enforcing economic sanctions on entities involved in financial crimes and corruption.
This partnership is set to strengthen the GAC’s ability to conduct thorough audits and ensure greater accountability for public funds. The collaboration signifies the U.S. government’s intent to leverage GAC audit reports as tools in combating Liberia’s entrenched culture of corruption and impunity.
Challenges in Accountability
While the GAC submits its audit findings to Liberia’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the National Legislature for public hearings and recommendations to the President, weak enforcement and limited implementation of these findings have historically perpetuated a culture of impunity. Despite mechanisms like the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), meaningful accountability remains elusive.
A New Era of Reform
The GAC says this renewed partnership aligns with President Joseph Boakai’s vision of a Liberia where public officials are held accountable for mismanagement and misappropriation of public funds. The ultimate objective is to ensure that individuals found guilty face consequences, including asset seizures and significant prison sentences.
Building Trust and Accountability
Analysts say the collaboration reflects the U.S. government’s faith in Liberia’s ability to rebuild trust in its public institutions. By enhancing the GAC’s capacity to deliver credible and actionable audit reports, the United States is helping Liberia tackle systemic corruption that has hindered its development for decades.
Looking Ahead
Under the leadership of Mr. Jackson, the GAC stands as a beacon of reform and integrity. The partnership with the GAO could mark the beginning of a new chapter for Liberia—one characterized by accountability, transparency, and justice. With robust audit mechanisms and international support, Liberia has a renewed opportunity to replace its culture of impunity with a legacy of good governance and public trust.
