Monrovia, Liberia – BudgIT Liberia, a youth-led civil society organization and a member of the Government of Liberia’s Fiscal Transparency Advisory Group, acknowledges the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) for its diligent work in uncovering serious financial discrepancies at the Lofa County University (LCU), amounting to over $360,000 USD.
As an organization dedicated to transparency and accountability in public finance, particularly in the education sector, we view this not merely as a case of corruption, but as a direct threat to our nation’s development and the future of Liberian youth. The alleged misallocation of these critical funds represents a breach of public trust and undermines the very foundation of our educational system.
“The LACC’s preliminary report, which details schemes involving ghost employees, inflated payrolls, and unauthorized transactions, points to a systemic failure in oversight,” stated Mr. Abraham Varney, Team Lead of BudgIT Liberia.
“When resources destined for classrooms and scholarships are diverted, it is our students who are ultimately deprived of their right to quality education. This directly impacts national development and the prospects of a generation.”
In our capacity as both advocates and advisory partners to the government, we respectfully call upon His Excellency President Joseph Nyumah Boakai to prioritize this matter.
We urge the President to ensure a swift, thorough, and impartial investigation is conducted, and that all individuals found culpable are held fully accountable through the legal process, regardless of their position or affiliation.
Furthermore, we advocate for comprehensive structural reforms at Lofa County University and across the education sector to prevent such occurrences in the future.
This includes strengthening internal audit controls, enhancing procurement transparency, and ensuring that budget allocation and execution are open to public scrutiny.
We call on all stakeholdersincluding students, civil society, development partners, and communities to remain engaged and vigilant. It is only through collective action and a steadfast commitment to integrity that we can fortify our institutions and safeguard public resources for generations to come.
About BudgIT Liberia
BudgIT Liberia is a local, Liberian youth-led not-for-profit civic organization dedicated to promoting transparency, accountability, and inclusive development in Liberia.
Through data dissemination, policy advocacy, and civic engagement, we work to ensure that public resources are used efficiently and effectively for the benefit of all Liberians. BudgIT Liberia serves as a member of the Government Fiscal Transparency Advisory Group.
