Reporting Corruption

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Reporting Corruption
GLOBAL FORUM V FIGHTING CORRUPTION SANDTON
CONVENTION CENTER, SOUTH AFRICA

• G. Jasper Cummeh, III
• Director, Center for Transparency
  Accountability in Liberia
• leading the fight against corruption in Liberia

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Corruption Effects

• Widely defined as the abuse of public authority
  for private gain.
• Distorts economic reality
• Poverty
• Injustice loop sided laws
• Poor social services delivery
• Weak systems

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Why Report Corruption?

• Citizens-Government Engagement
• Improve Governance
• Curtail impunity
• Improve economic livelihoods
• Unveil societal ills
• Enhance fight against corruption

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Favorable Factors for Reporting

• Freedom of Expression
• Access to information
• Whistle Blower Protection
• Governments receptiveness
• Free Media
• Incentives for good behavior
• Civic education

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Deterring Factors

• Culture of impunity
• Double Standards
• Fear and Intimidation
• Reprisals
• Insulation to public opinion
• Lack of Capacity

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Key Actors Stakeholders Obligations

• Civil Society Organizations
• Media
• General Public
• Insiders or Whistle Blowers
• Private Sector
• Government

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Key Actors Stakeholders Challenges

• CSOsfunding, training, environment
• Mediabusiness climate, population literacy
  level, intimidation, co-opting
• General publicpoverty, ignorance, political
  affiliation, intimidation, illiteracy, lopsided
  values

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Challenges Contd

• Whistle blowersjob insecurity, threats,
  co-option, poverty
• Private Sectorcompetition, profit, co-option,
  threats
• Anti-corruption Agenciespolitical will, job
  insecurity, public will, funding and technical
  knowledge

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A Liberia Case Study

• Administrative Staff of Transitional Legislature
  complained Rules and Order Committees Chair
• House Committee Investigated and submitted report
  to Plenary
• Committee promised Staff Protection for
  compliance and testimony
• Rules and Order Chair later fired staff for
  incompetence
• House Plenary remained mute

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The Way Forward

• Sign up and ratify international instruments
• Enact access to information legislation
• Promote transparency and accountability
• Protect Freedom of expression
• Provide civic education
• Enact whistle blower protection legislation
• Strengthen prosecution
• Reward good behavior/find other incentives to
  stimulate reporting

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Thank YOU

• Go Back Home and Seek Reform
• The Time is Now!