Africa-Press – Liberia. All might not be rosy for media practitioners across the country, especially on the economic front, a situation that many think provokes ethical transgression in the profession — a field that is continually manipulated by politicians and other higher-ups in society.
But it is not all journalists that are falling prey to the unceasing temptations as a few are sticking to the creed and ethical dictates of the journalism fraternity no matter the strains and tears they endure daily.
One of those is Tokpah Tarnue, Press Union of Liberia (PUL) Coordinator for Lofa County. He stands shoulder above many, if not all, among these few faithful, according to testimonies gathered from residents of his community and co-workers in his native Lofa County.
The life of the renowned journalist, who is the Lofa County Correspondent of the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS), has spoken for him in a big way as Tarnue was one of five distinguished public servants announced and honored as Liberia’s Integrity Icon 2021 at a ceremony in Monrovia on December 8.
The five winners were chosen from a list of hundreds of public servants in which Journalist Tarnue emerged as winner number one—automatically becoming the “Integrity Idol 2021”— in an annual program organized by Accountability Lab Liberia. The finalists represented critical sectors of the country such as health, media, education, data, and security.
Tarnue’s victory followed a rigorous and competitive eight months of a grassroots campaign to identify the country’s top public servant.
Those celebrated along with Tarnue were Klubo M. Davis, a certified Midwife (CMF), the Officer – in – Charge at the Tenegar Community Clinic in the Brewerville suburb of Monrovia; Joseph K. Bryant, County Director, Liberia Institute for Geo-information Service (LIGIS); Inspector Sam M Dikoah, Traffic Commander, Liberia National Police-Paynesville Detachment; Siaka S. Paul, Language Arts Instructor, Sinje Public High School (Ministry of Education) and
United States Ambassador, Michael McCarthy, served as keynote speaker. He described the winners as citizens who are critical to the advancement of democracy. Amb. McCarthy noted that integrity lies at the root of good governance, national development, and democracy. He added that democracy thrives when grassroots efforts are strengthened and integrity is promoted, thus breeding good governance.
“Integrity means the adherence to ethical values and principles that prioritize the public interest over private interest—is the critical ingredient that breeds good governance, boosts civic confidence, and enhances inclusive prosperity and stability, ” Amb. McCarthy said. “Each one of you here has demonstrated the quality of integrity. And I know there are many others who may not be here today, but who uphold the same values. They courageously model integrity in their personal and professional lives. In small and large ways, they are helping to strengthen a national culture of integrity.”
He said the ceremony could not have been held at a better time than the eve of International Anti-Corruption Day.
“This year, our focus is on the role everyone plays in fighting corruption—from the highest levels of government to public servants like those we are honoring today, to those in the private sector, and to the citizens at large,” the U.S ambassador said.
The honoring of Mr. Tarnue and his colleagues also came on the eve of US President Joe Biden’s first Summit for Democracy, which brings together democratic leaders from around the world, including Liberia, to recommit to strengthening democratic principles and practices—including by fighting corruption and promoting integrity.
The Country Director of Accountabilitylab Liberia, Lawrence Yealue, said in an earlier statement that his institution will continue to celebrate the integrity icon, because “integrity is doing the right things at all times even if no one is watching you.”
He added that the integrity icon has become a global movement and said that there are more good people in Liberia, including police officers, four of whom have been nominated since the start of the program in 2015.
Mr. Yealue disclosed that the governments of the United States and Sweden have been very supportive of the initiative in the country. Liberia’s Auditor General, Garswa Jackson, stressed the importance of celebrating good people as they will help in the fight against corruption.
He indicated that the conventional method of fighting the menace seems not to be too effective so there is a need for a paradigm shift that would encourage people to lead a good life in public service.
Minister of Information, Ledgerhood Rennie, also stressed the importance of celebrating people who are setting examples in their community and places of work. Integrity Icon is an annual campaign driven by Accountability Lab to “name and fame” people who are serving in the public space—those servants who embody integrity, accountability, and going beyond the call of duty to deliver quality services in the communities they serve.
The campaign depends on local people identifying and lifting up local reformers from the public civil service who work and inspire change in their communities. “Integrity Icon goes beyond the award,” said Lawrence Yealue, Accountability Lab Country Director for Liberia. “It is a platform for change where we showcase the positive aspects of public services … not just the corruption, bad governance, and all the bad things.”
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