By Matalay S. Kollie, Ben T. C. Brooks, and Methuselah Gaye
Ganta, Nimba County –The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) has launched a two-day training workshop aimed at strengthening the investigative reporting and anti-corruption skills of more than 50 journalists and civil society actors.
The program, held in Ganta, Nimba County, highlights the vital role of the media and civil society in promoting transparency and holding public institutions accountable.
Opening the session, Mr. John Tommy, LACC’s Program Manager for Education and Prevention, emphasized the need for accurate, ethical, and evidence-based journalism in the fight against corruption.
“Journalists and civil society organizations are not just bystanders; they are active agents of change, shaping governance, defending public interests, and amplifying community voices,” Tommy stated.
The training covers a wide range of topics, including an overview of the LACC’s mandate, the asset declaration process, core investigative journalism techniques, and the ethical use of social media.
Participants will also explore the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in investigative work-an emerging tool in modern journalism.
Mr. Tommy thanked the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for its continued support of anti-corruption initiatives in Liberia and encouraged participants to approach the training not just as a learning session, but as a platform to collaborate, question, and innovate.
“Let’s challenge our thinking, build our skills, and inspire each other to do more for our country,” he urged.
Echoing this call to action, Press Union of Liberia President Julius Kanubah expressed optimism about the initiative. He encouraged stronger collaboration between the LACC and the Press Union, emphasizing the essential role journalists play in rooting out corruption.
“We must use the tools and knowledge gained here to inform, expose, and advocate. The press is one of the strongest allies in this fight,” Kanubah noted.
Also speaking at the event, Vivian S. Akoto, Executive Assistant at the LACC, urged participants to see the training as an opportunity not just for personal development but as a means to empower their communities.
“You have a platform-use it to promote transparency, speak truth.”
