LIBERIA – The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) says following the designation of Senator Prince Y. Johnson by the United States Government in December 2021 for acts of corruption, CENTAL, while welcoming the designation, emphasized that the acts of corruption said to have been carried out by Senator Johnson involved multiple players.
Thus, we urged the US Government to “spare no accomplices and beneficiaries of [such] significant acts of corruption being perpetrated by some Liberian Government officials”. This, in our considered opinion, would translate into an all-out attack on corruption in Liberia with no sacred cows to spare.
Although the consequences of such an attack are largely external with any internal effect seemingly prevented by the sovereignty touted at our borders and shores, we held that an external contribution would inevitably yield domestic impact if all accomplices and beneficiaries are held to account.
Ladies and gentlemen of the Press, on yesterday, 15 August 2022, the US Government took a significant step in heeding our position by designating Nathaniel McGill, Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Sayma Syrenius Cephus, Solicitor General, and Bill Twehway, Managing Director of the National Port Authority (NPA) for their “involvement in ongoing public corruption in Liberia”.
CENTAL believes that by taking such actions, the United States is rising to the expectations of many Liberians that such designations affect all corrupt public officials and not only a few. This is particularly important, given that the US Government has often spoken authoritatively regarding acts and actors of corruption—a stance which demonstrates that it might be well-informed of “ongoing public corruption” than many Liberians from which these acts are kept secret.
Members of the Press, these latest designations bring to six (6) the number of Liberian Government Officials that have so far been designated under the Global Magnitsky Act for their involvement with significant corruption. Andrew Wonploe (former Passport Director), Senator Varney Sherman, and Senator Prince Y. Johnson were earlier designated. CENTAL believes that these designations reinforce countless recommendations that have been made to President George Manneh Weah and the Government of Liberia to show genuine political will and be practical, impartial, and holistic about the fight against Corruption in the country. Certainly, the fight against corruption must neither be reduced to an intellectual exercise nor abused by thwarting legitimate processes to fight back at those in the vanguard fighting corruption.
The dissolution of the current Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) through the recent enactment of the amended LACC Act; continued lack of will to adequately fund public integrity institutions; and failure of the President take appropriate corrective actions against government officials accused and investigated for grave incidences of corruption are classic examples. Indeed, the Liberian people are smarter. Together with our international partners, they know honest efforts to fight corruption when they see one.
Finally, CENTAL believes that President Weah still has an opportunity to redeem his government. Such revival must begin by immediately dismissing, and not suspending officials of the executive that have been internationally found wanting in integrity. Furthermore, relevant Liberian Authorities should seek the support of US Government to thoroughly investigate and prosecute the designated officials. The President cannot afford to be oblivious to history and the passage of time.
Retaining Nathaniel McGill, Syrenius Cephas, and Bill Twehway would amount to explicit confidence in their integrity as against the countless outcry of Liberians, and now international partners, on several occasions. Also, ordinary Liberians have a role to demand accountability for corruption and rejecting members of the Legislature, who have been designated, at the polls in 2023 and beyond. We must never give up in our quest for a better Liberia, and must keep pushing till victory against corruption is achieved.
CENTAL recommits to meaningfully supporting the fight against corruption in Liberia, individually and in collaboration with state and non-state actors.
