Liberia: Whistle blowers law passed

  1. Posted on Thursday 24 December 2009 - 11:54
    Kemo
    Image of Kemo
    Kemo Cham, AfricaNews reporter in Dakar, Senegal
    Liberia has passed an executive order that would protect and compensate anyone that comes forward with information on corrupt practices in the West African country. President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has given the law that touches on both the government and private sectors her presidential assent.
    liberian president
    President Sirleaf said the main aim of the law is to protect whistle blowers as well as stem the negative practice in the country. It also gives protection to persons employed in both public and private institutions who disclose information about actions that are against the public interest in all sectors.

    A bill regarding the decision is set to go to the Liberian legislature, which is on recess, for consideration into the country's laws. “'We are trying to accelerate our fight against corruption, this is an important moment for us, and I want to keep the momentum alive,” the president told BBC News Hour programme, on Tuesday. “And so I decided I would pass an executive order until the legislature returns.'”

    President Sirleaf who acknowledged inheriting a lot of corruption said: “There is a lot of corruption and people are afraid to come forward for fear of retribution.” She however promised that there will be thorough investigation to make sure that reports received are genuine and assured that regardless of how close potential suspects are to her, they will face the full force of the laws.

    Leading Liberian daily news paper, the Daily Observer, on its Tuesday edition quoted the country's Deputy Minister for Public Affairs at the Ministry of Information, Norris Tweh, as describing the executive order ''as another conduit of fighting corruption in Liberia.''

    Tweh quoted President Sirleaf as saying that corruption remains public enemy number one and that she would prosecute those found guilty of such acts.

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