By Amos Harris
The Independent Information Commission (IIC), in partnership with the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), recently concluded a high-level capacity-building training focused on Freedom of Information (FOI) compliance, integrity building, and anti-corruption. Hosted at the Liberia Petroleum Refining Company (LPRC) conference hall in Montserrado County, the event gathered departmental and sectional heads from several vital government entities, including the Liberia Agricultural Commodity Regulatory Authority (LACRA), the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA), and the National Port Authority (NPA).
Supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and the management of LPRC, this initiative highlights a growing alliance between public institutions and international partners. The collaboration aims to strengthen adherence to Liberia’s Freedom of Information Act of 2010 while fortifying the internal safeguards necessary to combat corruption within government operations.
During his keynote remarks, FOI Commissioner Joash T. Hodges described the training as a strategic collaboration between the IIC, the Office of the Ombudsman, and CENTAL. He emphasized that the primary goal is to embed transparency and integrity at the very core of public administration. While Liberia’s FOI framework legally guarantees the right to access public information, Hodges noted that true compliance relies heavily on institutional leadership, robust systems, and a professional internal culture.
Addressing the participants directly, Commissioner Hodges remarked that departmental heads serve as the operational backbone of their institutions. He pointed out that their supervision of records and the guidance they provide to staff ultimately determine whether transparency becomes a lived reality. To ensure this happens, the training focused on three core pillars: deepening the understanding of FOI obligations such as proactive disclosure and records management, strengthening integrity through the national Code of Conduct, and reinforcing anti-corruption mechanisms to close procedural gaps.
The sessions encouraged institutions to establish functional FOI structures, including the appointment of Public Information Officers and the creation of Internal Review Bodies. Commissioner Hodges declared that transparency should not be viewed as a threat to governance but as its foundation, adding that accountability is protective rather than punitive. Throughout the interactive sessions, participants examined practical strategies to foster openness and prevent misconduct before it takes root.
CENTAL Executive Director Anderson Miamen reaffirmed his organization’s commitment to supporting these transparent systems, noting that information access and anti-corruption efforts are inseparable. Facilitators at the event stressed that when information flows freely, oversight becomes possible, which naturally deters corruption and grows public confidence. The occasion was further distinguished by the presence of Cllr. Prof. Finley Y. Karngar, Chairperson of the Office of the Ombudsman, and Karl Barkeus, the Swedish Ambassador to Liberia, both of whom signaled strong support for these governance reforms.
Organizers highlighted that this initiative aligns closely with the Government of Liberia’s ARREST Agenda, which prioritizes performance and measurable results in public service. Participants left the training with a clearer understanding of their FOI responsibilities, a renewed commitment to the professional diligence enshrined in the Code of Conduct, and a heightened awareness of corruption risks. Furthermore, the heads of departments are expected to implement concrete plans to institutionalize these integrity mechanisms within their respective agencies.
In his closing remarks, LPRC Deputy Managing Director for Administration, Jacob Smith, expressed gratitude to the IIC, CENTAL, and SIDA for selecting LPRC as the host. He reaffirmed the company’s unwavering commitment to ethical standards and noted that their doors remain open for continued partnership in institutional reform. This training marks a significant milestone in Liberia’s journey toward cultivating a public sector culture grounded in accountability and the responsible stewardship of public resources.
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