MONROVIA – The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has recently recognized the Liberian Government’s commendable efforts towards ensuring accountability and transparency, particularly within government sectors. In a press conference held at CENTAL headquarters in Monrovia, CENTAL Executive Director Anderson D. Miamen highlighted these positive developments and called for further robust and transparent actions.
Miamen acknowledged the Liberia Anti-corruption Commission (LACC), General Auditing Commission (GAC), and the Public Accounts Committee of the Legislature for their visible roles in promoting integrity. He noted that the Joint Public Accounts Committee has been actively holding public hearings on audit reports submitted by the GAC, a move he believes is crucial for holding implicated individuals accountable.
“We have seen the Joint Public Accounts Committee of the Legislature holding public hearings on audit reports submitted by the General Auditing Commission. We need more robust and transparent public hearings to give opportunities to those implicated to respond to the issues raised against them as well as enable the Committee and the executive to hold them accountable for their actions,” said Miamen.
Despite these efforts, Miamen stressed that more needs to be done to combat Liberia’s historical struggles with corruption. He called for substantial support from both the public and the national government to enable integrity institutions to perform their duties effectively.
CENTAL has also been closely monitoring recent indictments by the LACC of several former officials, including former Finance Minister Samuel D. Tweah Jr. and former director general of the Financial Intelligence Agency, Stanley Ford, for allegedly misappropriating substantial amounts of money. Miamen welcomed the move, emphasizing the importance of holding former officials accountable.
However, Miamen expressed disappointment with former President George M. Weah’s response to these allegations during his press conference on July 31, 2024. He urged Weah to encourage those indicted to face the law and clear their names if innocent.
“We highly welcome the move to have former officials of government account for their stewardship. Meanwhile, we are appalled by former President George M. Weah’s attempt to sidestep allegations levied against his former officials during his press conference held on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. We would think that, former President Weah who professes to be an ardent supporter of the fight against corruption, would encourage those indicted to present themselves before the law to be exonerated, if innocent, as indictments are not convictions,” Miamen remarked.
CENTAL also called on the current administration under President Joseph N. Boakai to ensure its anti-corruption efforts are impartial. Public reactions on social and traditional media indicate that Liberians desire a genuine and unbiased fight against corruption.
Miamen emphasized the need for the LACC to lead an impartial fight against corruption, including investigating and prosecuting former officials sanctioned by the U.S. government for significant public sector corruption. These include high-profile figures such as Senator Nathaniel McGill, Senator Prince Y. Johnson, and former Monrovia Mayor Jefferson T. Koijee.
CENTAL also highlighted concerns about the low compliance level with asset declaration laws among officials of the Boakai-led administration. According to a report by the LACC, only 322 out of 1,281 public officials have declared their assets, incomes, and liabilities. Miamen criticized this gross violation and called on President Boakai to take action against non-compliant officials.
In conclusion, CENTAL commended the LACC and other integrity institutions for their ongoing efforts and encouraged continued partnerships with civil society, media, and other independent entities in the fight against corruption. They urged President Boakai to suspend officials who have not declared their assets, incomes, and liabilities. They called on the President and legislature to provide adequate support to anti-graft institutions. They admonished former President Weah to encourage his supporters and those indicted to present themselves before the law. They encouraged the Judiciary and Legislature to comply with asset declaration laws and lead by example. Lastly, they urged the public to support LACC, GAC, and other entities leading anti-corruption efforts in Liberia.
Miamen concluded by emphasizing the importance of public support and sustained efforts to address the culture of impunity for corruption in Liberia.
