MONROVIA: Ambassador Joseph Nyuma Boakai, prior to his historic ascendancy to the Liberian Presidency, on 22, January, 2024, assured the Nation that he would lead by examples.
During previous campaign era for the Nation’s coveted Presidency in 2023, President Boakai consistently told Liberians at home and abroad that immediately upon his official inauguration as President of Liberia, he would had declared his assets, even before commencing his official presidential duties.
Ambassador Boakai, who was an opposition political leader, at the time of the electioneering period repeatedly told his fellow compatriots that as part of his determination and resolve to ensure good governance and its components including transparency, accountability and probity, and in line with Liberia’s fight against corruption, he would have ensured that other state officials including his Vice President, Jeremiah Koung and members of the cabinet declared their respective assets before commencing their official duties.
However, since the President, who is also former Vice President of Liberia, during the 12-year rule of former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, was officially declared winner of the Nation’s Presidency by the National Elections Commission (NEC), and his subsequent inauguration on 22, January, about 14 days now, the new President is yet to inform the Nation as to whether he has already declared his assets.
Even many of the President’s appointed public service officials including members of his cabinet and heads of autonomous agencies are yet to declare their assets as well.
In line with Liberian Laws, “Every Public Official and Employee of Government involved in making decisions affecting contracting, tendering or procurement, and issuance of licenses of various types shall sign performance or financial bonds and shall in addition declare his or her income, assets and liabilities prior to taking office and thereafter.
Liberian laws also require public officials and employees to declare their assets, (a). at the end of every three years; (b). on promotion or progression from one level to another; (c). upon transfer to another public office; and (d). upon retirement or resignation.
It is also gathered that the declaration of personal interest, income, assets, liabilities and the performance bond as may be required, shall be lodged with: In the Legislative Branch, with the Secretary of the Senate and the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives; In the Executive Branch, with the General Auditing Commission; and In the Judicial Branch with the Clerk of Supreme Court; and in each event such receipt shall be notified to the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC).
The law also requires that all such declarations shall be accessible to both the public employer and the general public upon a court order; as well as to the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) and the General Auditing Commission (GAC) for investigative purposes.
The declaration shall be promptly updated by Public Officials and Employees of Government upon subsequent changes in his or her interest and/or assets. Each declaration along with the updates thereto shall include disclosure of income, assets, liabilities, net worth, financial and family interests held by the official, The INDEPENDENT has gathered.
However, President Boakai’s apparent non-disclosure of his assets nearly 14 days after his official induction ceremony, along with some members of his cabinet has raised concerns among members of the public in recent time.
“I have not heard that the President and the Vice President have declared their assets. No newspaper or media institution has so far published any assets for the President and the Vice President. If, not, there is an urgent need for the Presidency to comply with such lawful national requirement,” asserts Steve Naplah, a civil society activist, in central Monrovia.
I think the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), needs to ensure that all state officials whether elected or appointed declared their assets as part of Liberia’s fight against corruption, pro-democracy activists said on OK FM recently.
NAYMOTE boss, Eddie Jarwolo said it was important for President Boakai to declare his asset for the Liberian people to know his financial and materials status before even starting his duties.
Scores of other anti-corruption institutions have backed calls for good governance including declaration of assts by state officials, for transparency and accountability.
Recently, the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), challenged the new Liberian leader, Joseph Nyuma Boakai, to change the narrative in the fight against corruption in the country.
CENTAL, in an open communication to President Boakai, it was important to apply more efforts that would exhibit zero-tolerance for corruption.
“Mr. President, we need actions that go beyond pronouncements,” CENTAL to the new President.
CENTAL: “This inertia has largely contributed to our dismal show in major indices, including the Corruption Perception Index (CPI) of Transparency International, showing a massive decline in the country’s score from 41 in 2012 to 25 in 2023. This is corroborated by our State of Corruption Reports, which indicate that, over the last three years, nine out of ten Liberians believe that corruption is high. Majority of the citizens also believe that government’s commitment to tackling corruption is low. Lack of prosecution, rampant allegations of corruption, lack of political will and lack of transparency fuel these perceptions,” CENTAL further told the President.
The anti-corruption group further told President Boakai, in the open letter to him that previous Liberian governments have miserably failed to investigate and prosecute former and current government officials sanctioned by the United States Government for involvement in significant public sector corruption.
“Besides, corruption allegations involving high-profile public officials have been lingering for many years, with the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission not doing enough to either complete those investigations or prosecute the accused,” CENTAL added.
Referencing members of the House of Representatives’ recent voting through a resolution to declare and make their assets public, the civil society group said there is a green light that the necessary conditions exist to support a robust anti-corruption effort; therefore, it is now incumbent upon President Boakai to reverse the negative trend and fulfill his campaign promise made to Liberians while vying for the nation’s highest seat.
“We have heard President Pro-Tempore of the Senate, Madam Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence committing to declare and make her assets public within a month. We have heard the Speaker of the House, Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa’s open commitment to subject the House of Representatives to audit. We appreciate the open commitment of our elected officials to respect the tenant of good governance and accountability. While we believe these actions are steps in the right direction, we expect that members of the Legislature will not rest on their laurels, but do more to make legislative dealings and activities more transparent,” CENTAL noted.
