Monrovia, Liberia — February 10, 2026: Liberia has taken another major step toward strengthening integrity and accountability within its public sector. Naymote Partners for Democratic Development, in collaboration with the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), officially launched the Governance and Anti-Corruption Fellowship (GAF) Program on Tuesday at the Civil Service Agency within the Ministerial Complex.
The initiative aims to empower emerging leaders with the knowledge, skills, and ethical principles needed to promote transparency, combat corruption, and enhance governance across institutions.
The ceremony brought together an impressive array of dignitaries, including Kerstin Jonsson Cissé, Head of Development Cooperation at the Embassy of Sweden to Liberia and Sierra Leone; H.E. Gerald Considine, Ambassador of Ireland; H.E. Dr. Jakob Haselhuber, Ambassador of Germany; Prof. Dr. Alaric K. Tokpa, Acting Chairperson of the Governance Commission; and James K. Kingsley, Executive Director of the LACC.
The fellowship was formally launched by Mr. Aliou Mamadou Dia, Resident Representative of UNDP Liberia, who delivered an inspiring message centered on the need for ethical leadership and public trust.
“Everything relies on trust. When trust is gone, everything is gone,” Mr. Dia stated. “Countries progress because they build institutions that people can believe in. Liberia is moving in that direction, and you, as fellows, have a crucial role to play in ensuring this progress continues.”
The launch attracted a wide range of participants, including senior government officials, representatives of development partners, civil society organizations, media professionals, and the newly inducted Governance and Anti-Corruption Fellows. The event underscored a shared determination to confront corruption and build stronger, more accountable public institutions.
Welcoming attendees, Joshua Dennis Cleon, Deputy Program Director at Naymote, highlighted that corruption undermines public trust and national development. He stressed that fighting it requires ethical leadership, strong systems, and continuous collaboration between government and civil society.
Alphia Faith Kemokai, Program Manager at Naymote, presented the GAF Program Framework, outlining how fellows will engage in practical activities that promote transparency, strengthen oversight mechanisms, and support reforms that drive accountability throughout the public sector.
Representing the Executive Chairperson of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission, Commissioner Samuel F. Dakana, Oversight Commissioner for Monitoring and Investigation, reaffirmed the LACC’s dedication to its mission.
“The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission remains committed to preventing, investigating, and prosecuting corruption,” Commissioner Dakana affirmed. “True reform, however, comes when communities and institutions are empowered to reject corruption and demand accountability.”
Naymote and LACC extended gratitude to all partners, stakeholders, and fellows who joined the launch, emphasizing that their continued cooperation is key to building a culture of integrity and trust in Liberia’s governance system.
