Published: October 17, 2025
CAPITOL HILL – The House of Representatives has unanimously voted to subject itself to a comprehensive system audit, marking a major step toward transparency and accountability.
House leadership announced that it will meet with the General Auditing Commission (GAC) on Monday to begin activities leading to the audit’s official start. The decision, made during Thursday’s plenary session, reflects a commitment to accountability and restoring public trust in the Legislature.
Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon announced that the leadership will meet with the General Auditing Commission (GAC) on Monday, October 20 to start preparations for the audit, which will cover the period from January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2024.
The audit will review financial management, administrative operations, procurement processes, internal controls, asset management, and banking transactions to ensure proper governance and adherence to regulations. He emphasized the importance of cooperation from all lawmakers and staff. “Providing the necessary documents and support will help make the audit process smooth and effective,” Koon said.
He highlighted that the audit is intended to strengthen institutional systems and not to target any individual. The audit, under Section 2.1.3 of the GAC Act of 2014, will include system reviews, on-site verification, interviews, and reconciliations with the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.
It will also assess compliance with laws and procedures, focusing on administration, financial management, procurement, liabilities and receivables, internal controls, asset management, and banking operations.
Representative Prince Koinah (Bong County District #1), chair of the Committee on Contracts, Monopolies, Public Procurement, and Concessions, and co-chair of Public Accounts and Expenditures, said the audit will help improve governance and operational efficiency. “This review will ensure that the House operates in accordance with rules and procedures, reinforcing public confidence in our work,” he said in a June 18, 2025 communication to Plenary.
Being an issue of public concern as many have been looking forward to the Legislature setting good example by availing itself to public scrutiny such as audit, many have described the decision to do the audit as an important step in a broader accountability initiative within the Legislature but noted that the 2022-2024 is not enough. They want from 2006 to present. Many believe that fighting corruption should begin with the Legislature by ensuring its operations are done with transparency and credibility-emphasizing the need to reduce or eliminate “wasteful spending” of public funds, including the lavish spending on expensive cars and other luxuries when basic social services are barely available to meet the needs of the majority of the people who remain entrapped in poverty.
During previous sessions, there were calls for greater transparency and more effective management of resources. The current decision reflects a shared commitment to improving operations and demonstrating integrity in the use of public funds.
Calls for an audit were among reasons former Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa was ousted. Now, the lawmakers seek to restore confidence in the management of the House’s resources and operations. Lawmakers have reportedly reached consensus that transparency and accountability are essential for maintaining public trust.
Jallah Gray a staff member at the house remarked, “Reform starts with our own practices, and this audit is a step in the right direction.”
Preparations are underway for Monday’s engagement between GAC and House leadership. The audit’s findings are expected to provide recommendations for improvement and support ongoing reforms within the Legislature. The initiative demonstrates a commitment to proper management of resources and enhancing institutional credibility.
Speaker Koon emphasized the broader purpose of the audit: “We owe it to the Liberian people to ensure responsible management of resources. Accountability is not just an expectation; it is a practice we must uphold.”
The Senate is yet to make a decision on its willingness to also conduct audit of its systems and practices but if the Lower House’s audits are carried out successfully, and it establishes a foundation for continued transparency, strengthening public confidence in Liberia’s legislative institution, the public would not only welcome it but the country stands to benefit immensely, ensuring people are held liable for defrauding the country.
Discussion about this post