WPA Supports CENTAL’s Inter-University Integrity Debate Grand Final
Monrovia, Liberia – May 29, 2026
WPA Supports CENTAL’s Inter-University Integrity Debate Grand Final;
Champions Youth Engagement, Whistleblower Protection, and the Fight Against Corruption
The Witness Protection Agency (WPA) reaffirms its commitment to the protection of Witnesses and Whistleblowers at the Inter-University Integrity Debate Grand Final held on Friday, May 29, 2026, at the United Methodist University Campus in Monrovia. As a co-sponsor of the landmark event, the WPA joined the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) in bringing together about ninety-five (95) students from various universities to debate critical national issues of corruption, accountability, and civic integrity.
The Grand Final was organized under the theme: “Rewriting the Narratives through Debates for Improved Efforts Against Corruption, Inclusion, and Youth Confidence.” The debate brought together students from four of Liberia’s leading universities, the University of Liberia (UL), the African Methodist Episcopal University (AMEU), the United Methodist University (UMU), and Stella Maris Polytechnic University (SMPU), all active chapters of CENTAL’s Integrity Club (IClub) program, a flagship initiative of the National Integrity Building and Anti-Corruption (NIBA) Program. The event featured rigorous academic-style debate with opening statements, propositions, rebuttals, and rulings by judges drawn from the Club Alumni. Representatives of government institutions, university faculty members, civil society organizations, and the media were among those in attendance.
The WPA’s engagement in this program reflects its commitment to partnering with civil society and academic institutions to advance a national culture of accountability. The Agency provided co-sponsorship under the slogan “Protecting Witnesses and Whistleblowers, Empowering Justice through Accountability,”, and an institutional address by senior WPA officials, including the Director, Atty. T. Maxwell Grigsby II.
In an official address, Hon. T. Maxwell Grigsby II, the Director of the WPA, reaffirmed the Agency’s unwavering commitment to the national fight against corruption through witness and whistleblower protection. He commended CENTAL for what he described as an “educative and impactful initiative” that promotes transparency and civic engagement among Liberia’s youth. “This gathering is not merely a debate,” said the Director. “It is a platform to discuss corruption and the challenges confronting Liberia’s anti-corruption efforts.” He cited tax compromises, under-declaration of revenues, and excessive duty-free privileges as specific practices that erode public trust and hinder national development.
Director Grigsby also expressed concern over the unavailability of public transportation within Montserrado and its environs, amidst support from the national government through budgetary allocation. The Director made specific reference to over US$ 200,000.00 provided to the National Transit Authority (NTA) in the 2026 supplementary budget aimed at reducing the transportation burden on ordinary citizens. He further opined in his statement that the few NTA buses seen in Monrovia and nearby cities are mostly contracted to private institutions for field trips, funerals, and related programs, while ordinary citizens struggle daily to benefit from public transportation utility.
In his concluding statement, the WPA Director called on citizens, especially students, to report corruption through established channels, including the national anti-corruption hotline and the reporting hotline of the office of the President - 2424.
He also highlighted public utility revenue collection as a key area for citizen’s oversight, stating: “It is both unethical and detrimental to national development for individuals entrusted with collecting public utility revenues to divert or underreport funds meant to improve service delivery.” He encouraged CENTAL to deepen collaboration with the WPA through a targeted outreach initiative in Margibi, Bong, and Nimba Counties, noting that the Government has allocated resources through the Agency for public engagement. “Utilizing these resources through strategic partnerships would help ensure that the Agency’s message reaches a broader audience,” he said.
Expanding on the WPA’s mission and statutory responsibilities, Atty. Frank S. Suku, WPA Coordinator/Head of Secretariat, informed the students that the Witness Protection Agency (WPA) is an autonomous agency operating under the Executive Branch of the Government of Liberia. He explained that the Agency was established by an Act of the Legislature, known as the Witness Protection Act of 2022. According to Atty. Suku, the WPA was established to administer the Witness Protection Program in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) into three stages: Investigation & Pre-hearing, Hearing, and Post-trial. He further stated that the services of the agency include: protection, Psycho-social counselling and welfare, legal assistance, safe housing for witnesses, and reintegration.
Reflecting these shared objectives, the WPA’s participation in the Club Inter-University Debate underscores its broader vision of engaging the next generation of Liberians as active stakeholders in the justice system. Both the WPA and CENTAL share a common goal, and that is to create an environment where citizens, particularly young people, can safely and confidently speak truth to power. The WPA looks forward to strengthening and expanding this institutional partnership through planned outreach initiatives across the counties and remains committed to working alongside government institutions, civil society organizations, students, and citizens to advance transparency, accountability, and the protection of witnesses and whistleblowers throughout Liberia.
Signed: Elijah D. Jaryenneh
Assistant Manager for Public Affairs
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