By: Frank P. Martin
MONROVIA: The U.S Ambassador to Liberia, Mark Toner, has reminded President Joseph Nyuma Boakai of his pledges made to Liberians as contained in his January 22, 2024 inaugural address, to fight corruption and human right abuses.
The U.S Ambassador said corruption, impunity, and lack of accountability are obstacles to Liberia’s development and progress.
President Boakai took office pledging to tackle corruption and all of its spawns: impunity, lack of accountability and the rule of law and economic stagnation.
Ambassador Turner spoke told Liberians at the 104th convocation of the University of Liberia, on Friday, September 21, 2024.
He recognized steps taken by the government for the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court to bring justice to victims of the country’s brutal civil war that destroyed many lives and properties.
He lauded the peaceful transfer of power in 2017 and last year, as well as the efforts by President Boakai to address corruption and impunity, which he described as major barriers to Liberia’s full potential.
“The President is taking critical First Steps, such as the establishment of the war and economic crimes Court. This court is essential to bringing long delayed Justice to the many Liberian victims, survivors and their families. It is also an important step in ending the culture of impunity. The United States is committed to supporting President Boakai and all Liberians in this courageous undertaking,” he said.
“Addressing Liberia’s past is the only path to Lasting stability and peace. This process won’t be easy and will require reopening painful wounds and memories. But, if the court achieves its purpose that will send a clear message that no Liberian is above the law,” Ambassador Toner emphasized.
The US Ambassador: “Other efforts to root out corruption by entities such as Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), and the Internal Audit Agency are equally encouraging.”
He said such efforts would identify bad actors and encourage responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.
He added that Civil Society also has a critical role to play in holding government officials accountable.
“ All of you have been taught both at home and in school about the corrosive effects that corruption can have on a society. But, probably the most significant is what it does to erode public trust in government,” he stressed.
“ Sadly, many of us encounter corruption on a daily basis when people seek to take advantage of power or privilege to line their own pockets,” he stressed.
Ambassador Toner: “Corruption is insidious and harmful to the very foundation of democracy. And the economic impact is just as devastating as few companies want to invest in a country that does not guarantee a Level Playing Field for all.”
The U.S. Ambassador to Liberia, Mark Toner, delivered a compelling speech during the recent graduation ceremony at the University of Liberia, where he underscored the critical role of education and civic engagement in Liberia’s future.
Addressing the graduating class, Ambassador Toner reflected on the deep historical ties between the United States and Liberia and emphasized the shared responsibility of both nations in fostering democratic governance, economic growth, and stability in the West African region.
The US Ambassador: “I am fiercely proud of the fact that the United States has been and continues to be a steadfast partner to Liberia throughout this journey. As all of, you know, as all of, you know, like Liberia and America’s share a special bond rooted in our deepest historical and cultural ties and preserved through our shared commitment to democracy, human rights, health security, economic prosperity and regional stability. But I would concede that in the aftermath of the war. The relationship became somewhat lopsided.
He said the United States is the largest bilateral donor to Liberia having provided more than 5 billion dollars in bilateral assistance since 2003.”
Ambassador Toner, a former Peace Corps volunteer in Liberia in the late 1980s, brought personal insight to his remarks.
The U.S. Ambassador: “My time as a Peace Corps volunteer in Grand Bassa County over 30 years ago, was a formative experience. Back then, I had the privilege to work alongside many dedicated Liberian health professionals. People who showed up every day to work under difficult circumstances without any guarantee of a regular paycheck. These are the same people who inspire me this day through their commitment, their courage and their determination. In fact, I’m going to visit one of them when I travel to Buchanan next week. He was technically my counterpart but in many ways, he was my mentor. He showed me what hard work and commitment looked like as we traveled throughout Grand, Bassa often to remote Villages that were only accessible by foot to vaccinate infants and small children. It’s difficult for me to come back. More than 30 years later and see that many parts of Liberia are still just as hard to access by Road, especially during the rainy season. And many civil servants are still forced to show up for work without the certainty of a regular paycheck. Many of the same problems I encountered then corruption poor infrastructure and a lack of access to education and Economic Opportunity continue to plague.”
He praised the graduates for their resilience and hard work, urging them to use their education not to seek opportunities abroad but to contribute to Liberia’s development.
“My greatest hope is that all of you go on to lead successful careers not in America, not in Europe, or even in some other African country, but right here in Liberia,” he said, stressing the importance of investing talent and skills into local communities and institutions.
The Ambassador also highlighted the progress Liberia has made since its civil war, acknowledging the contributions of international donors, including over $5 billion in bilateral assistance from the U.S. since 2003.
Turner pointed out that this support helped Liberia transition from a nearly failed state to one of Africa’s most stable democracies.
Turner, however, noted that much work remains to be done, particularly in addressing Liberia’s persistent issues of corruption, infrastructure challenges, and access to education.
Drawing from his own experiences as a Peace Corps volunteer, he remarked on the resilience of Liberians and the continued challenges in sectors like healthcare and education, which he witnessed decades ago and which persist today.
He specifically called for increased investment in education., citing need for a skilled workforce to attract foreign direct investment.
Ambassador Turner commended institutions like the University of Liberia and its faculty for their commitment to educating the next generation of leaders.
He also highlighted U.S. initiatives aimed at strengthening Liberia’s education sector, including the USAID’s Transforming the Education System for Teachers and Students (TESTS) initiative, which focuses on improving teacher training and access to quality education.
