By: Joseph Kerkula
The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) on Tuesday joined the global community in commemorating the 2025 International Anti-Corruption Day, placing strong emphasis on the vital role of young people in promoting integrity and defending the country’s democratic and developmental progress.
The observance was held under the theme: “Uniting Youth Against Corruption: Instilling Integrity in Our Future Leaders for a Peaceful, Inclusive, and Prosperous Liberia.”
The event underscored the urgent need to empower young Liberians as champions of transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership.
The program brought together civil society representatives, youth leaders, students, anti-corruption advocates, development partners, and members of the public, all unified in their commitment to combating corruption.
Delivering the keynote address, Youth Development Practitioner and Program Manager of the Young Political Leadership School Africa, Ms. Alphia Kemokai, stressed that the fight against corruption must be intentional, inclusive, and sustained.She described corruption as one of the gravest threats to national development, noting that it weakens public institutions, erodes trust, fuels inequality, and hinders economic progress.
“Young people are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are leaders of today. Instilling values of integrity, accountability, and transparency in our future leaders is critical to building a Liberia free from corruption,”Ms. Kemokai said.
Speaking earlier, the Acting Executive Director of the LACC, Atty. Samuel F. Dakana, emphasized that more than 70 percent of Liberia’s population is under the age of 35.
He described young people as the country’s “greatest resource, its innovators, dreamers, and future leaders,” while noting they are also the group most affected by corruption.
“When corruption steals from the national budget, it is the youth who lose access to quality education, healthcare, jobs, roads, and opportunities,” Atty. Dakana stated.
He stressed that eradicating corruption requires the active participation and leadership of young people.
“They are not bystanders; they are central drivers of integrity and accountability in Liberia,” he added.
The LACC also highlighted ongoing efforts over the past year aimed at improving the country’s anti-corruption framework and these include, enhancing investigative capacity and advancing cases in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice, expanding nationwide public awareness and outreach campaigns, improving digitization of the Asset Declaration and verification system andfurther indicating strengthening cooperation with integrity institutions such as the GAC, FIU, and PPCC and promoting early-warning mechanisms through community informants and whistle-blower engagement.
According to the Commission, these initiatives are designed not only to enforce the law but also to prevent corruption and cultivate a national culture of honesty and responsibility.
Speakers at the event encouraged young people including students, entrepreneurs, and activists, to view themselves as frontline defenders of Liberia’s future.
They emphasized that refusing to pay or accept bribes, reporting wrongdoing, and speaking out against corruption are powerful acts that strengthen democracy and good governance.
Participants has reaffirmed their commitment to promoting ethical leadership, supporting accountability systems, and empowering youth to actively resist and expose corruption within their communities and institutions.
International Anti-Corruption Day is observed annually on December 9 to raise global awareness about the dangers of corruption and to promote collaboration toward building more transparent, accountable, and just societies.
