MONROVIA, LIBERIA – President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s administration is facing growing criticism over its failure to act decisively against corruption, despite campaign promises to fight graft and misuse of public resources. The latest condemnation comes from Prince D. Kreplah, Director of Program Planning and Technical Services at the National Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Commission (NWASHC), who has accused the Unity Party-led government of shielding corrupt officials while failing to uphold its own anti-corruption agenda.
Kreplah did not hold back in his remarks, stating, “Where is the promised fight against corruption? The Boakai-Koung administration came to power on the mantra of tackling corruption, waste, and abuse of public resources. Yet, within just one year, we have seen scandal after scandal, with those close to the President and Vice President implicated, while the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) and the President’s office sit idle.”
His statement highlights multiple corruption allegations that have surfaced in just a year of Boakai’s presidency, raising concerns that the administration is failing to live up to its campaign rhetoric.
One of the most glaring cases involves Rustonlyn Suacoco Dennis, Boakai’s choice to head the National Oil Company of Liberia (NOCAL). She stands accused of inflating the price of an SUV, purchasing a vehicle valued at $45,000 for $75,000, allegedly intending to collect a $30,000 kickback. When the vendor refused to transfer the excess amount to her personal account, Dennis reportedly took an additional $30,000 vehicle instead. In response to public outrage, Dennis attempted to justify the purchase, claiming that as NOCAL President, she needed one vehicle for official duties and another for errands.
Even before taking office, Minister of State for Presidential Affairs Sylvester Grigsby was allegedly involved in a questionable transaction. In late 2023 and early 2024, Grigsby reportedly directed the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP) to purchase five SUVs worth $117,000 on credit from CICA Motors for the Unity Party’s transitional team. Documents revealing the transaction sparked public outrage, as Boakai and his allies had not yet assumed power and had no legal authority to instruct a government agency to make such a purchase.
Corruption allegations have also rocked the National Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Commission (NWASHC), where Kreplah himself serves. He revealed that CEO George W.K. Yarngo and his inner circle had been accused of financial mismanagement, including hiring unqualified individuals with political ties, issuing fraudulent checks, and personally benefiting from $30,000 intended for cleaning materials and another $60,000 meant for fuel and maintenance.
“These individuals are running public offices like personal businesses, siphoning funds meant for essential services. Meanwhile, the President remains silent,” Kreplah lamented.
He further disclosed that funds for World Toilet Day 2024, totaling $17,000, were already fully provided by USAID and international donors, yet Yarngo and his team allegedly withdrew an additional $10,000 from NWASHC’s WASAN Account under the pretense of financing the same event.
At the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), commissioners appointed by Boakai’s administration are reportedly receiving exorbitant salaries of $15,000 per month, along with generous allowances for transportation, housing, and fuel.
Additionally, accusations of financial mismanagement have emerged within the ruling Unity Party itself. Party Chairman Rev. J. Luther Tarpeh is accused of pocketing $73,000 from a $365,000 fund provided by the Weah administration to facilitate nationwide participation in Boakai’s inauguration. District officials claim Tarpeh deducted $1,000 from each of the 73 electoral districts and misreported how the money was distributed.
The controversy surrounding former Commerce Minister Amin Modad further underscores the government’s failure to act decisively against corruption. Modad allegedly used public funds from MedTech to purchase a luxury vehicle at a time when the government struggled to provide basic services. However, instead of prosecuting him, the administration allowed Modad to resign quietly due to internal party disputes, while Liberia Revenue Authority Commissioner General Dorbor Jallah, who reportedly facilitated the transaction, remains untouched.
Kreplah emphasized that President Boakai’s failure to address these corruption allegations in his 2025 State of the Nation Address raises serious concerns about the administration’s commitment to accountability.
“The President had a national platform to reaffirm his commitment to fighting corruption, but instead, he chose to downplay it. That silence speaks volumes,” Kreplah asserted.
