MONROVIA, LIBERIA – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s second State of the Nation Address on January 27, 2025, was intended to showcase his administration’s progress and reinforce its pledge to combat corruption. However, his remarks have been met with growing skepticism, as critics argue that his government has failed to translate promises into meaningful action.
Speaking before the National Legislature, Boakai underscored his administration’s commitment to eradicating corruption, citing recent audits and institutional reforms as evidence of transparency efforts. He insisted that his government was taking concrete steps to restore accountability in public offices. Yet, his assurances did little to sway detractors, who contend that the President’s approach lacks enforcement and has allowed corruption to persist unchecked.
Among those expressing discontent was Anderson D. Miamen, Executive Director of the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL). He pointed to unresolved corruption scandals within key institutions, arguing that Boakai had only made selective interventions. Miamen questioned why the acting chairperson of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), implicated in a General Auditing Commission (GAC) report, remained in office despite the removal of the board. He further criticized the administration for failing to act against officials who had not declared their assets, dismissing Boakai’s rhetoric as empty talk.
Lawmakers also voiced frustration over what they described as politically motivated anti-corruption efforts. Rep. Clarence Gahr, Chairman of the Joint Legislative Public Accounts Committee, accused the President of using corruption probes as a tool to remove officials while filling key positions with loyalists. Gahr claimed that instead of enforcing genuine accountability, the administration was reshuffling government personnel to strengthen its political influence.
“The government is using audits to justify personnel changes, but we are not seeing real consequences for corruption,” Gahr said. He pointed to instances where officials faced suspension due to financial mismanagement, only to avoid prosecution through backroom deals. He argued that the administration’s failure to take firm disciplinary measures had rendered its anti-graft campaign ineffective.
Despite the criticism, Boakai defended his administration’s record, asserting that significant progress had been made in promoting transparency. He highlighted payroll audits that had removed fraudulent employees and emphasized that integrity institutions were operating without political interference. The President also pointed to the introduction of compliance systems, the appointment of an Ombudsman, and asset declarations by senior government officials, including himself and Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, as signs of progress.
“We are implementing necessary reforms to ensure greater accountability,” Boakai stated, maintaining that his administration was committed to cleaning up government operations. He urged the public to recognize the challenges of systemic corruption and allow the reforms to take effect over time.
However, critics remained unconvinced. Miamen argued that audits and procedural adjustments, while important, meant little without meaningful consequences for corrupt officials. He warned that Liberia risked repeating the failures of past administrations if corruption continued to go unpunished. Drawing comparisons to former President George Weah’s tenure, he suggested that Boakai’s reluctance to impose real penalties could weaken public confidence in his leadership.
Gahr echoed similar concerns, stressing that Liberia needed decisive action rather than policy statements. He cautioned that unless corrupt officials were held accountable through legal processes, the administration’s anti-corruption efforts would be perceived as mere political posturing. “The people of Liberia deserve justice, not just speeches,” he said.
