MONROVIA — Two days after President Joseph Nyuma Boakai delivered his third State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Monday, January 26, 2026, the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) raised concerns over the tangible impact of anti-corruption efforts. Speaking to journalists at CENTAL headquarters on Wednesday, Executive Director Anderson Miamen said, “Success in the fight against corruption is mostly measured by tangible outcomes deriving from interventions and not mere initiation of those processes themselves.” Miamen’s statement emphasized that progress must go beyond announcements and formalities.
He explained that while President Boakai highlighted several measures to enhance transparency, including performance contracts for institutional heads, the real test lies in implementation. “For us in the governance and anti-corruption space, we were keen on the state of corruption and overall governance and are glad that those areas were reflected. But representation alone is not enough,” Miamen said.
The CENTAL director highlighted the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission’s (LACC) achievements mentioned in the SONA, including 11 indictments, two convictions, one acquittal, four ongoing prosecutions, and the suspension or dismissal of officials implicated in misconduct. “These interventions are welcome, yet we must stress that the results remain marginal,” Miamen said.
Miamen also noted the reported progress by the General Auditing Commission (GAC), stating that 94 of 105 audits had been completed, with particular focus on domestic debt from 2018 to 2023 that rejected over US$704 million in unsupported claims. Compliance with GAC recommendations reportedly increased from 13 percent in 2024 to 37 percent in 2025. “We acknowledge these efforts, but we need faster and more effective implementation to translate audits into accountability,” he warned.
Efforts by the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC) to expand the electronic procurement system to over 50 public entities were recognized. Yet, Miamen stressed that processes alone do not eliminate corruption. “Electronic systems can improve transparency, but only if results follow. The citizenry expects more than procedural compliance,” he said.
The CENTAL executive raised concerns about the slow pace of establishing a specialized anti-corruption court. “The government is yet to establish the specialized anti-corruption court to timely adjudicate corruption cases and hold corrupt persons accountable,” Miamen said. He also criticized the five-year statute of limitation on corruption prosecutions, calling it a major hurdle to justice.
Miamen urged the Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce (ARPRT) to accelerate the recovery of stolen financial and non-financial assets. “We wish to see a more robust, well-financed, and independent Asset Recovery Taskforce that collaborates effectively to recover stolen funds and properties both locally and abroad,” he said.
He further noted that legal challenges have hampered the Taskforce but emphasized that over a year of operation should have yielded significant results. Miamen referenced targeted U.S. sanctions on former officials and multiple GAC audits implicating individuals for corruption, stressing the need for decisive action.
CENTAL’s statement also pointed to legislative inefficiencies. Miamen criticized the slow review of audit findings by Public Account Committees. “When findings from critical audits remain stockpiled on desks without action, accountability is undermined, and the efforts of the GAC become inconsequential,” he said.
He added that donor withdrawals heighten the importance of judicious domestic resource allocation. “Robust, transparent, and inclusive legislative oversight is essential, especially in the review of concession agreements, vital bills, and other processes that affect citizens’ interests,” Miamen said.
Miamen turned his attention to the LACC, criticizing the Commission’s failure to produce asset verification reports more than two years after officials declared their assets. “From what we see, the LACC is still heavy on demanding declarations rather than verifying those assets to detect fraud or discrepancies,” he said.
He emphasized that the asset declaration process must be outcome-driven, stating, “Liberians are more interested in the results of verification than in mere reporting of compliance numbers.” Miamen underscored that officials of both the Weah-led and current Boakai administrations should have their assets verified and publicized.
While praising steps such as audit completions and improved procurement systems, Miamen stressed that the true measure of anti-corruption progress lies in visible accountability. “Civil society will remain constructively engaged, monitor budget implementation, and hold state institutions fully accountable for tangible results,” he said.
He encouraged the government to strengthen coordination among the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary to ensure integrity institutions operate independently and effectively. “These efforts must deliver dividends for the people,” Miamen said.
Miamen acknowledged that the Boakai administration has taken steps toward transparency, but warned that insufficient political will risks undermining gains. “Civil society, media, and citizens are pushing for resources to these institutions; they must now live up to expectation by delivering meaningful results,” he said.
He stressed the importance of financial oversight, highlighting gaps in timely recovery of stolen assets, audit follow-ups, and legislative enforcement. “Without these critical interventions, Liberia’s anti-corruption agenda will remain largely symbolic,” Miamen said.
Miamen called for a well-funded, independent, and results-oriented anti-corruption framework, including a fully operational asset recovery mechanism and specialized court system. “Liberians deserve greater transparency and accountability from their government, not just promises or initiatives,” he stated.
The CENTAL executive also warned against complacency, asserting that merely initiating anti-corruption processes is insufficient. “The fight against corruption must be measured by tangible outcomes, not the number of reports or declarants,” he said.
In conclusion, Miamen reiterated CENTAL’s commitment to constructive engagement with the government. “We will continue to monitor budget execution, audits, and anti-corruption interventions to ensure Liberia’s institutions deliver real results to the people,” he said.
He closed with a call to action for all branches of government. “The President, Legislature, and Judiciary must coordinate to ensure that Liberia’s anti-corruption and integrity-building efforts are independent, robust, citizen-driven, and impactful,” Miamen emphasized. “Without action, anti-corruption gains remain weak.”
