Today, CIPE launched the new Liberia Local Governance Toolkit, in cooperation with Global Integrity and Liberian partner the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL). This is the first assessment ever performed of mechanisms to counter corruption at Liberia’s local level, with data covering all 15 counties in the country. Holding events in Washington, DC, and Monrovia, Liberia, CIPE and its partners released the key findings of the assessment. The toolkit reveals the following areas as key to building strong local governance in Liberia:
• Strong civil society organizations involved in county-level governance
• Greater public access to information
• Whistle-blowing measures
• Strong property rights regime
Why is CIPE interested in information on local governance in Liberia? First, fighting corruption is key to strengthening democracy through improving transparency and accountability in governance. Second, predictability and the rule of law are essential to increasing both foreign and domestic investment in an economy. Third, this data will drive demand for reform from the grassroots level, arming civil society with actionable data to strengthen governance at both the local and national levels.
For the full toolkit, visit www.liberialocalgovernance.org.
Published Date: November 17, 2008