February 15, 2024
Joining forces with the Liberia INGO Forum to combat corruption and protect Liberia’s development sector. Together, we can make a difference!
The Liberia International NGOs Forum (LINGO), in support of President Boakai’s encouraging State of the Nation address and his promise of the government’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption, commits to severing ties with vendors, contractors, and service providers involved in any form of fraudulent activities or breaches of procurement and financial processes that may lead to corruption. LINGO, with this, urges vendors, contractors, and service providers who work with LINGO members to utilize the communication channels provided by its members to report any instances of staff or affiliates soliciting commissions, kickbacks, price fixing, or engaging in fraudulent behavior.
As a Forum of over 54 members, our unwavering commitment lies in advancing Liberia’s development sector. LINGO earnestly urges its esteemed development partners, donors, and stakeholders to persist in their courageous endeavors to cultivate a climate of transparency and accountability, effectively combating bribery, graft, and corruption. We must collectively adopt stringent measures within our procurement and financial systems to safeguard Liberia’s development sector from the perils of corruption.
As a Forum, LINGO is continually looking at ways to address the detrimental effects of corruption on Liberia’s overall economic and social development. The increasing prevalence of corruption creates an unfair environment and obstructs progress in fulfilling individual missions and contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals. This situation disproportionately benefits a few while marginalizing most of the population. Corruption has negative impacts on every single aspect of society, disproportionately affecting the poorest and most marginalized populations, including women.
LINGO acknowledged that corruption remains a significant challenge in the West African Sub-Region, hindering efficient resource management and impeding economic growth. Liberia has had a fair share of issues affecting its economic development. According to Transparency International’s 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index, Liberia ranks 142nd out of 180 countries, indicating the pervasive nature of corruption within the country. LINGO recognizes that corruption has become endemic at all levels of Liberian society, making it difficult for INGOs to achieve development goals and for the general population to thrive.
The Liberia International NGOs Forum was established in 1997 as a collection of international non- governmental organizations. Initially comprising over 100 members during the civil crisis, LINGO currently consists of more than 54 active international organizations. These members have been actively engaged in projects and programs across all 15 counties of Liberia, spanning various sectors. The primary mission of LINGO is to support its members in delivering high-quality programs while enhancing coordination among themselves. This is achieved through effective communication, information sharing, and liaising with government ministries, agencies, and other entities such as UN agencies, embassies, and the donor community. LINGO also facilitates joint advocacy efforts and addresses humanitarian concerns, ensuring its members can speak with a unified voice on humanitarian issues.
Undersigned, Aisha M. Lai
CHAIR of the Liberian INGO Forum
Head of Office for the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation
