Government Raises Accountability Bar with Major Audit Reforms

By Stephen G. Fellajuah

Monrovia, Liberia, June 26, 2026 – The Government of Liberia has renewed its commitment to strengthening transparency, accountability, and prudent financial management with the launch of the Internal Audit Regulations and the Public Sector Internal Audit Compliance Checklist, developed by the Internal Audit Agency (IAA).

Representing Minister of State for Presidential Affairs and Chief of Staff Samuel A. Stevquoah at the official launch on Thursday at the Monrovia City Hall, Deputy Minister for Administration Bill McGill Jones described the new instruments as a significant milestone in Liberia’s ongoing Public Financial Management (PFM) reform agenda.

“The development of these instruments reflects the Government of Liberia’s unwavering commitment to strengthening transparency, accountability, and the prudent stewardship of public resources,” Jones said.

He stressed that every dollar collected from Liberian taxpayers must be managed with integrity, efficiency, and full compliance with the law, noting that citizens expect public resources to be used solely for the public good.

According to Jones, the Internal Audit Regulations operationalize the Internal Audit Act of 2013 by providing a stronger framework for consistency, professionalism, independence, and effectiveness in internal auditing across government institutions.

He noted that the Public Sector Internal Audit Compliance Checklist will support ministries, agencies, and commissions in strengthening compliance with the Public Financial Management Act, the Public Procurement and Concessions Act, and other relevant laws.

Jones described internal auditors as a critical pillar of good governance, providing independent assurance that helps identify institutional weaknesses before they become major failures while preventing fraud, waste, and abuse.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment under the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, he said the Boakai administration remains focused on building stronger governance institutions and promoting greater accountability in the management of public resources.

“We recognize that strong institutions, rather than strong individuals, are the foundation of sustainable national development,” Jones emphasized.

Earlier, Internal Audit Agency Director General David A. Kemah described the launch as a major reform milestone in Liberia’s efforts to strengthen governance, accountability, and public financial management.

He said the regulations and compliance checklist will provide practical guidance for improving risk management, strengthening internal controls, and supporting public officials in the effective stewardship of government resources.

Kemah disclosed that the IAA currently oversees internal audit functions in 96 of Liberia’s 143 public institutions, including seven of the country’s 15 counties. He added that the Agency has produced more than a dozen special audit reports aimed at improving compliance and accountability.

According to him, internal audit activities over the past three years have led to the establishment of Audit Recommendation and Implementation Committees (ARICs), improved tax compliance, enhanced financial reporting, increased implementation of audit recommendations, stronger adherence to revenue-sharing agreements, and the identification of weaknesses in concession agreements.

“Internal audit is not merely a policing function; it is a preventive force against fraud, waste, and the abuse of public resources,” Kemah said.

He also announced that the Agency is accelerating the automation of its audit processes and plans to train internal auditors in the application of Artificial Intelligence to improve the efficiency and quality of audit work.

Kemah further highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen the Agency’s professional capacity through internationally recognized certifications while promoting gender equity in leadership positions.

Also speaking, Deputy Finance Minister for Fiscal Affairs Anthony G. Myers, representing Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, urged government institutions to fully adopt the new regulations and compliance checklist to strengthen accountability, transparency, and fiscal discipline.

He described the instruments as practical tools that will reinforce existing public financial management reforms and improve compliance with financial laws and regulations.