LIBERIA – The Executive Director of one of Liberia’s integrity institutions, the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has frowned on his country’s President, George M. Weah for his continued failure in dealing with corruption.
Mr. Anderson D. Miamen expressing his opinion on his official Facebook page today said that the Liberian Presidency is not leading by example in the fight against corruption, adding, “President Weah is the main reason why the County is doing very poorly in the fight against Corruption, thus leading to negative public perception about the government’s commitment to the process. Does this mean that nothing is happening at all? No, a few things are happening.”
“However, they are negligible and not good enough, given the scale of the problem we at hand and the efforts and commitment needed to holistically and genuinely deal with it.”
In his post titled ‘President Weah Needs to Shake Up in Dealing with Impunity for Corruption, as he has so far Failed on this Commitment’, Miamean narrative that Liberians cannot continue to see more sugarcoated words and speeches from President Weah than real actions in dealing with Corruption.
The CENTAL’s boss continued: “He is the main reason why public sector corruption is on the rise in Liberia. He is the main reason why citizens believe that the government is doing very little to tackle corruption. Liberia is at 29 on the Corruption Percent Index of Transparency International when the government met the score at 32 in 2018 when it assumed state power.”
“CENTAL last two State of Corruption Reports show that 90% of Liberians believe Corruption is very high in Liberia. Besides, the latest (2022 edition of the state of corruption report) shows that 26% of citizens now have confidence in the Executive to fight against corruption compared to 30% in the immediate past report.”
Below is the full narrative of Mr. Miamen’s write-up
“President Weah Needs to Shake Up in Dealing with Impunity for Corruption, as he has so far failed in this Commitment”
It’s so sad that Liberia and Liberians keep crying out loud for “True Accountability” for Corruption and many excesses committed by unscrupulous individuals and groups, then and now. Yet, the system keeps letting them down by shielding the corrupt and even antagonizing some of those pushing for reforms.
The Liberian Presidency is not leading by example on this. President Weah is the main reason why the County is doing very poorly in the fight against Corruption, thus leading to negative public perception about the government’s commitment to the process. Does this mean that nothing is happening at all? No, a few things are happening. However, they are negligible and not good enough, given the scale of the problem at hand and the efforts and commitment needed to holistically and genuinely deal with it.
We cannot continue to see more sugarcoated words and speeches from President Weah than real actions in dealing with Corruption. He is the main reason why public sector corruption is on the rise in Liberia. He is the main reason why citizens believe that the government is doing very little to tackle corruption.
Liberia is at 29 on the Corruption Percent Index of Transparency International, when the government met the score at 32 in 2018 when it assumed state power. CENTAL last two State of Corruption Reports show that 90% of Liberians believe Corruption is very high in Liberia. Besides, the latest (2022 edition of the state of corruption report) shows that 26% of citizens now have confidence in the Executive to fight against corruption compared to 30% in the immediate past report.
So far, the President has failed in his anti-corruption commitment to the Liberian People. He has passed a few more laws but lacks the willpower to implement them, along with those he met on the books. His stance against his officials when accused and investigated for corruption is very weak and disappointing.
Currently, what the country needs most is to deal with the culture of impunity for corruption, using administrative and other sanctions. Sadly, the President is not looking in this direction.
Hence, the government needs to wake up and do far more. Liberia and Liberians are yearning for true accountability for corruption. The Government must answer to their call/cry, sooner rather than later.
