Africa-Press – Liberia. Cllr. Alexandra Zoe, the newly appointed Executive Chairperson of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), has claimed to be aware of the numerous challenges facing the institution, which has for years been seen as a toothless bulldog unable to bite corrupt officials.
Zoe, who was just appointed by President George Weah and is awaiting Senate confirmation, has vowed to not just reposition the institution to achieve its mandate of fighting corruption but to also tackle the problems head-on.
The Weah appointee is joining the LACC as a lawyer with experience in commercial and corporate law and has vowed to pursue corruption cases independently and without any fear or favor as a means of restoring public confidence.
“[My] strategic vision centers around enhancing the institution’s integrity, transparency, and operational effectiveness,” Zoe said in a statement, which is her first address since her appointment.
“And upholding the rule of law, safeguarding the commission’s independence, and adhering to the core mandate outlined in the (amended) Anti-Corruption Act of 2022 form the cornerstones of [my] approach.”
Zoe is, however, taking on her new role at a time when Liberia has been ranked among the most corrupt countries in the world. Corruption remains endemic and pervasive in every sector and level of society, undermining development, impeding economic growth, and threatening stability.
The LACC, established in 2008, has been criticized for not doing enough in the fight against corruption. The agency has been hampered by financial constraints, limited capacity, and political interference.
Political interference has been a major obstacle in fighting corruption in Liberia. Public officials, including lawmakers, are often accused of using their positions to protect themselves and their allies from prosecution.
Zoe, therefore, faces an uphill battle to tackle corruption and restore public trust in the LACC. She will need to navigate through a complex web of political and social networks and bureaucratic hurdles to be successful.
One key challenge will be to investigate and prosecute high-profile corruption cases. Many officials, including some close to the President, have been accused of corruption, but very few have been successfully prosecuted.
Zoe will also need to address the issue of asset declaration by public officials. Declaration of assets is mandatory for all public officials but has rarely been enforced. This lack of transparency and accountability has made it easy for public officials to embezzle public funds and evade justice.
Another challenge would be to strengthen the LACC’s capacity to investigate and prosecute complex cases of corruption. Liberia has limited resources in terms of skilled manpower, equipment, and technology, which makes it difficult to investigate and prosecute corruption cases effectively.
These challenges clearly indicate that Zoe, who graduated cum laude in 2011 from the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law at the University of Liberia, faces an arduous task, even though she says she is determined to carry out her mandate with integrity and diligence.
She has vowed tirelessly to investigate, prosecute and prevent corruption, and to build a culture of accountability and transparency if confirmed to the position by the Senate, which is yet to schedule her confirmation hearing.
According to her, she is aware firsthand of the detrimental effects of corruption on Liberia and intends to forge close collaborations with diverse stakeholders, both locally and internationally, to establish robust alliances in the fight against corruption.
“[I am aware that] Liberians now look to me as a beacon of hope in the relentless pursuit of a corruption-free society,” Zoe said. “With [my] extensive legal background, unwavering commitment to justice, and strategic vision, I am poised to inspire change, rebuild public confidence, and lead the charge in creating a more transparent and accountable Liberia.”
The incoming LACC boss currently works at Guaranty Trust Bank while also serving as Board Chair for the Liberia Telecommunication Corporation, a public own agency.
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