Reporting Corruption G. Jasper Cummeh, III Director, Center for Transparency & Accountability in Liberia “leading the fight against corruption in Liberia” GLOBAL FORUM V FIGHTING CORRUPTION SANDTON CONVENTION CENTER, SOUTH AFRICA

Corruption & Effects Widely defined as the “abuse of public authority for private gain”. Widely defined as the “abuse of public authority for private gain”. Distorts economic reality Distorts economic reality Poverty Poverty Injustice & loop sided laws Injustice & loop sided laws Poor social services delivery Poor social services delivery Weak systems Weak systems

Why Report Corruption? Citizens-Government Engagement Citizens-Government Engagement Improve Governance Improve Governance Curtail impunity Curtail impunity Improve economic livelihoods Improve economic livelihoods Unveil societal ills Unveil societal ills Enhance fight against corruption Enhance fight against corruption

Favorable Factors for Reporting Freedom of Expression Freedom of Expression Access to information Access to information Whistle Blower Protection Whistle Blower Protection Government’s receptiveness Government’s receptiveness Free Media Free Media Incentives for good behavior Incentives for good behavior Civic education Civic education

Deterring Factors Culture of impunity Culture of impunity Double Standards Double Standards Fear and Intimidation Fear and Intimidation Reprisals Reprisals Insulation to public opinion Insulation to public opinion Lack of Capacity Lack of Capacity

Key Actors & Stakeholders’ Obligations Civil Society Organizations Civil Society Organizations Media Media General Public General Public Insiders or Whistle Blowers Insiders or Whistle Blowers Private Sector Private Sector Government Government

Key Actors’ & Stakeholders’ Challenges CSO’s —funding, training, environment CSO’s —funding, training, environment Media —business climate, population literacy level, intimidation, co-opting Media —business climate, population literacy level, intimidation, co-opting General public —poverty, ignorance, political affiliation, intimidation, illiteracy, lopsided values General public —poverty, ignorance, political affiliation, intimidation, illiteracy, lopsided values

Challenges Cont’d Whistle blowers—job insecurity, threats, co- option, poverty Whistle blowers—job insecurity, threats, co- option, poverty Private Sector—competition, profit, co-option, threats Private Sector—competition, profit, co-option, threats Anti-corruption Agencies—political will, job insecurity, public will, funding and technical knowledge Anti-corruption Agencies—political will, job insecurity, public will, funding and technical knowledge

A Liberia Case Study Administrative Staff of Transitional Legislature complained Rules and Order Committee’s Chair Administrative Staff of Transitional Legislature complained Rules and Order Committee’s Chair House Committee Investigated and submitted report to Plenary House Committee Investigated and submitted report to Plenary Committee promised Staff Protection for compliance and testimony Committee promised Staff Protection for compliance and testimony Rules and Order Chair later fired staff for incompetence Rules and Order Chair later fired staff for incompetence House Plenary remained mute House Plenary remained mute

The Way Forward Sign up and ratify international instruments Sign up and ratify international instruments Enact access to information legislation Enact access to information legislation Promote transparency and accountability Promote transparency and accountability Protect Freedom of expression Protect Freedom of expression Provide civic education Provide civic education Enact whistle blower protection legislation Enact whistle blower protection legislation Strengthen prosecution Strengthen prosecution Reward good behavior/find other incentives to stimulate reporting Reward good behavior/find other incentives to stimulate reporting

Thank YOU Go Back Home and Seek Reform The Time is Now!