Liberia

February 2024

Relevant Legislation

Summary

In July of 2022, Liberia’s House of Representatives passed the Whistleblower Act of 2021, which was signed into law by President George Weah in August. The law builds upon previous executive orders by Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf establishing protections for whistleblowers (Executive Order No. 22, Executive Order No. 43, and Executive Order No. 62). The law provides legal protections to whistleblowers employed in both private and public institutions who make protected disclosures. However, given how recently the law was passed, it remains to be seen whether it will be implemented effectively.

The Liberian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (LACC) role in enforcing Liberia’s anti-corruption law has been limited by its inability to independently prosecute corruption. Recent amendments to the law establishing the LACC’s prosecutorial power independent of the Ministry of Justice should be implemented efficiently in order to strengthen the LACC’s ability to hold corrupt actors accountable. 

Since formal legal protections for whistleblowers were established only recently, there are few publicly reported cases of whistleblowers in Liberia. Effective enforcement of the Whistleblower Act and increased public awareness of the protections in the Act are key to encouraging individuals to blow the whistle on corruption in Liberia.

Tips for Whistleblowers:

• Liberia’s Whistleblower Act includes legal protections for individuals who make disclosures in the public interest.
• Reports can be made to law enforcement agencies, public institutions, private institutions, and civil society organizations.
• The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission has the power to investigate all acts of corruption in the private, public, and civil society sectors. Corruption can be reported on LACC’s website, although individuals are required to provide their name and email.

Knowledge, Support, and Action Centres

Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC)

LACC is a government agency tasked with investigating and prosecuting acts of corruption.

Liberia CSOs Anti-Corruption Coalition (LCACC)

LCACC is a coalition of civil society organizations that promotes transparency and accountability in Liberia’s public sector and advocates for anti-corruption reforms.

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