By Staff Writer | Smart News Liberia
MONROVIA – Anderson Miamen, Executive Director of the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), has delivered a blistering assessment of governance in Liberia, arguing that too many public officials enter government for personal enrichment rather than national service. Writing on Thursday, April 30, 2026, under the title “When Self-Interest Overshadows Public Interest, Government Becomes a Place to Steal Rather Than a Place to Genuinely Serve,” Miamen said Liberia’s long record of poor public service points to a troubling pattern of corruption and self-interest.
According to Miamen, Liberia’s past and present governance failures leave only one logical conclusion: many politicians and public servants seek office to transform their own lives instead of improving the lives of ordinary citizens. He lamented that while a few honest officials have emerged over the years, they have been overshadowed by a much larger number whose actions have damaged public trust and stalled national progress.
Miamen said election seasons are often filled with promises of reform, hope, and transformation, but those commitments quickly disappear once leaders assume power. He noted that citizens repeatedly make sacrifices, financially and emotionally, to support candidates they believe will bring change, only to be disappointed once those leaders are confronted with opportunities for corruption and personal gain.
“Yet, the story changes when they face the least test to side with the people,” Miamen wrote. He argued that kickbacks, questionable contracts, and access to state resources often erase any genuine desire leaders once had to prioritize public interest. In his view, public office has too often become a shortcut to wealth rather than a platform for service.
He further criticized officials who campaign on promises to reconcile the country, redistribute wealth, and restore confidence in government, but fail to produce meaningful results. Instead, he said many quickly claim there are too many challenges to improve healthcare, education, and employment once they are in office, even as their own lifestyles improve dramatically.
Miamen said the consequences of this leadership failure are devastating for ordinary Liberians. He described a country rich in natural resources, yet burdened by poverty, low self-esteem, and hopelessness. He said it is painful that despite Liberia’s wealth, millions still struggle to feed themselves or access affordable electricity, clean water, and other basic services.
Questioning national priorities, Miamen pointed to the continued underfunding of hospitals such as the John F. Kennedy Medical Center while public officials enjoy excessive benefits. He also criticized the practice of sending patients abroad for medical treatment that should be available in county and regional hospitals, calling it evidence of a broken governance system.
He argued that Liberia’s corruption fight remains weak and predictable, failing to scare or deter wrongdoers. “How come we see more lip-service in tackling corruption than being intentional and robust,” he asked, stressing that corrupt officials must face real consequences if the country hopes to change course.
Miamen said countries that have achieved genuine development share common traits: strong accountability institutions, non-corrupt public officials, an independent legislature, rule of law, and access to public information. By contrast, he said Liberia continues to struggle because leaders often collaborate instead of checking one another, while poorly negotiated mining and concession deals leave communities impoverished and damaged environmentally.
Miamen declared that Liberia cannot be transformed through speeches, public relations campaigns, or “sugarcoated promises.” He warned that until lawmakers are stopped from doing business with companies they are supposed to regulate, and until corrupt officials are convicted and jailed, Liberia will remain trapped in corruption, poverty, and underdevelopment.
