Published: June 20, 2025
CAPITOL HILL — The House of Representatives has officially authorized the General Auditing Commission (GAC) to conduct a comprehensive audit of its financial and administrative operations from July 1, 2021, to May 31, 2025.
The decision follows a formal communication from Bong County District 1 Representative Prince K. Koinah, who requested that the audit cover both the 54th and 55th Legislatures. Plenary voted to forward the request to the Public Accounts and Expenditure Committee, which was instructed to review the matter and report back within one week.
Rep. Koinah said the audit is essential to restoring public trust and demonstrating transparency.
“We must lead by example if we wish to uphold the trust and confidence of the constituents we represent,” Koinah said. “Auditing this Honorable House will dispel any negative perceptions or misconceptions people may hold about us, thereby restoring credibility to this august body.”
Koinah proposed that the audit cover internal controls, compliance with laws and policies, and overall governance performance. The audit is expected to take 90 days once launched.
Audit Previously Blocked
In 2024, the GAC initiated steps to audit the House after lawmakers, including then-Speaker J. Fonati Koffa, had previously endorsed the idea. However, multiple legislators reportedly resisted the process over fears that financial mismanagement would be uncovered. Speaker Koffa was later accused by members of the Majority Bloc of shielding those blocking the audit—allegations he denied.
In October 2024, the Majority Bloc publicly disclosed that GAC auditors had been denied access to payroll and administrative records, effectively halting the audit effort. Despite mounting public pressure, the review was never completed.
Speaking during Thursday’s session, Montserrado County District 6 Representative Moima Briggs Mensah backed the renewed call for transparency.
“We cannot continue making laws and demanding transparency from others while refusing to account for our own operations,” she said.
Scope of the Audit
The audit will cover five fiscal periods in total. These include the six-month period from July 1 to December 31, 2021; the full year from January 1 to December 31, 2022; the full year from January 1 to December 31, 2023; the full year from January 1 to December 31, 2024; and the five-month period from January 1 to May 31, 2025.
The audit will evaluate risk management, budget execution, compliance with internal policies, and the effectiveness of legislative operations.
“Together, we can improve the integrity of our legislature and create a more efficient and effective accountability system that will guide the work of this esteemed body,” Koinah wrote in his letter to Plenary.
The Public Accounts and Expenditure Committee has been instructed to begin engagement with the GAC immediately.
Mounting Pressure for Accountability
Earlier this year, Nimba County District 7 Representative Nyah Flomo submitted a similar request, but no action was taken at the time.
Integrity organizations such as the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) have long advocated for an audit of the Legislature. The group has argued that lawmakers must hold themselves to the same standards of transparency they demand from ministries and agencies.
Under President Joseph Boakai’s ARREST Agenda, public sector transparency has emerged as a central policy focus. GAC-led audits have already prompted major shakeups, including the 2024 suspension of the Central Bank Governor over unauthorized transactions and the suspension of Liberia Telecommunications Authority Chairperson Abdullah Kamara following audit findings.
Once the committee completes its coordination with the GAC, the Commission will have 90 days to conclude the audit and submit its report.
If carried out without interference, it would mark the first full audit of the House of Representatives in over a decade.
“This is not about targeting anyone,” Rep. Koinah said. “It’s about showing the Liberian people that we’re ready to govern ourselves with the same standards we expect from others.”
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