The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has issued a strong critique of President Boakai’s administration on International Anti-Corruption Day, decrying the government’s perceived leniency towards corrupt officials and urging decisive action to combat the pervasive issue of public resource mismanagement. CENTAL’s Executive Director, Anderson D. Maimen, highlighted the government’s failure to end impunity for corruption as the primary obstacle in the fight against graft. He stressed the critical need for increased funding for public integrity institutions and a demonstrable commitment from both the executive and legislative branches to combat corruption effectively. Maimen emphasized that while past administrations have made numerous anti-corruption pledges, concrete actions have been consistently lacking, hindering progress and perpetuating a culture of impunity.
CENTAL’s core argument centers on the need for President Boakai to take a more proactive and assertive stance against corruption within his administration. The organization points to Liberia’s low score on Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (25/100) as a stark indicator of the severity of the problem within the public sector. While acknowledging the challenge this presents, CENTAL believes it also offers President Boakai an opportunity to demonstrate leadership by setting a high standard of ethical conduct and accountability within his government. The organization specifically calls for the President to take concrete steps, including suspending and dismissing officials involved in corruption or violating the Code of Conduct for Public Officials, particularly regarding asset declaration.
CENTAL asserts that President Boakai’s current approach appears to prioritize protecting officials, even those suspected of corruption, over upholding accountability. This perceived leniency, the organization argues, undermines the fight against corruption and sends a message that such behavior is tolerated within the highest levels of government. By taking decisive action against corrupt officials, regardless of their political affiliations, the President would send a powerful signal that corruption will not be tolerated and foster greater public trust in the government’s commitment to combating this issue.
Furthermore, CENTAL calls for increased financial and logistical support for key institutions tasked with fighting corruption, such as the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) and the General Auditing Commission (GAC). Adequate resources, the organization argues, are crucial for these institutions to effectively investigate and prosecute cases of corruption, including those involving current and former government officials. CENTAL also emphasizes the importance of respecting the independence and financial autonomy of these institutions, allowing them to operate without undue political influence and ensuring their effectiveness in holding corrupt officials accountable.
The organization also urges the LACC to leverage the extensive information it possesses on asset declarations and corruption cases to expedite investigations and prosecutions. CENTAL emphasizes the need for timely action, particularly concerning officials sanctioned by the U.S. government for corruption. While acknowledging public support for anti-graft institutions, CENTAL underscores the importance of these institutions demonstrating their commitment to accountability through tangible results in order to maintain public confidence.
Finally, CENTAL calls for a broader societal effort to combat corruption, urging civil society and the media to raise public awareness about the detrimental effects of corruption and mobilize citizens to hold corrupt officials accountable. By fostering a culture of intolerance towards corruption and demanding transparency and accountability from public officials, CENTAL believes Liberia can make significant strides in combating this pervasive issue and promoting good governance. The organization’s message on International Anti-Corruption Day serves as a clear call to action for President Boakai and his administration to prioritize the fight against corruption and demonstrate a genuine commitment to ensuring accountability and transparency within the public sector.
