By Laymah Kollie
The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), through its Integrity Club, has launched an inter-university debate competition aimed at strengthening discussions on integrity, transparency, accountability, and the fight against corruption among young people.
The initiative brought together students from Stella Maris Polytechnic University and the University of Liberia in the opening round, while the African Methodist Episcopal University competed against the United Methodist University in a separate debate.
Participants tackled key issues, including whether whistleblowing is more effective than investigative journalism in exposing corruption, and whether establishing a specialized anti-corruption court is critical to ending impunity in Liberia.
Providing an overview of the Integrity Club, Coordinator Jerryline T. Wonde said the initiative was established to instill strong ethical values in young people and encourage them to actively participate in the national anti-corruption effort.
She noted that the club began at the University of Liberia in 2017 and expanded in 2020 to other institutions, including Stella Maris Polytechnic University, African Methodist Episcopal University, and the United Methodist University.
According to Wonde, CENTAL now operates 13 Integrity Clubs across universities and high schools, offering platforms for students to apply their knowledge through peer learning, campus awareness, and outreach activities.
CENTAL Executive Director Anderson Miamen said the debate goes beyond academic engagement, serving as a tool to educate students on how to identify and report corruption.
He emphasized the complementary roles of citizens, journalists, and whistleblowers in fostering accountability and praised participants for their performance.
Also speaking, Atty. Teklo Maxwell Grisby II, Executive Director of the Witness Protection Unit, stressed that while whistleblowing and investigative journalism are both vital in combating corruption, effective legal frameworks and strong witness protection measures are essential to ensure the safety of those who report wrongdoing.
He added that corruption affects all sectors of society, not just the public sphere.The event featured participation from the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission and the Ministry of Justice.
Judges commended the students for their strong arguments, noting that the debate highlights the importance of youth engagement in governance and accountability issues.
At the end of the first round, the University of Liberia defeated Stella Maris Polytechnic University with a score of 80 to 76 percent.
In the second round, African Methodist Episcopal University narrowly won against the United Methodist University, scoring 82 to 80 percent.
