MONROVIA – Former BBC correspondent Jonathan Paye-Layleh has expressed deep disappointment with the performance of the Unity Partye–led government in 2025, citing the slow implementation of recommendations from past audit reports and an apparent lack of urgency in prosecuting alleged economic crimes.
In a statement reflecting on the outgoing year, Paye-Layleh described the government’s handling of accountability issues as his “biggest disappointment” of 2025. He said the failure to act decisively on audit findings has weakened public confidence in the fight against corruption.
Paye-Layleh noted that despite numerous audit reports identifying financial irregularities and alleged abuses of public resources, concrete actions have remained limited. According to him, the slow pace of implementation has allowed critical recommendations to sit idle while public institutions continue to face credibility challenges.
He further criticized what he described as the government’s “unwillingness and unreadiness” to prosecute accused persons named in audit reports. Paye-Layleh said the absence of visible prosecutions has created the impression that accountability is optional rather than mandatory.
“As a result, alleged economic criminals are all over the place talking rubbish,” Paye-Layleh said, arguing that the lack of consequences has emboldened individuals accused of wrongdoing to openly dismiss allegations without fear of legal action.
The former BBC correspondent warned that continued inaction risks normalizing impunity and undermining the rule of law. He stressed that when allegations of economic crimes are not pursued through the justice system, it sends a damaging message to citizens about fairness and equality before the law.
Looking ahead to 2026, Paye-Layleh called on the government to take concrete steps to strengthen accountability mechanisms. He specifically urged authorities to enhance the capacity of the Ministry of Justice to enable it to prosecute more accused persons effectively and in a timely manner.
“We have to prove we’re a serious country,” Paye-Layleh said, emphasizing that decisive prosecutions are essential to restoring public trust and demonstrating the government’s commitment to good governance.
He said improving prosecutorial capacity would help ensure that audit reports lead to tangible outcomes rather than remaining symbolic documents with no legal consequences. According to Paye-Layleh, accountability must move beyond rhetoric to measurable action.
Paye-Layleh concluded by urging the government to treat 2026 as a turning point, where enforcement of audit recommendations and prosecution of economic crimes become central priorities in the national effort to uphold integrity and the rule of law.
