President Joseph Boakai has suspended all government officials who have failed to declare their assets within the mandated timeframe.
The suspensions, which take immediate effect, follow the President’s directive issued on November 27, 2024, granting a 10-day grace period for compliance with asset declaration requirements.
The action by the President is in line with Article 2, Section 10.2(h) of the Act to Amend Sections 5.2 and 10.2 of the 2014 Code of Conduct for public officials.
Section 10.2(h) of the code of conduct mandates all officials appointed by the president to declare their assets 30 days after being appointed. It calls for immediate suspension from office until full compliance is obtained.
According to an Executive Manson release Thursday, February 12, 2025, those listed by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) as non-compliant will face a one-month suspension without pay or until they submit the required asset declarations.
Additionally, the suspended officials are required to immediately turn over any government assets under their control to compliant heads of agencies or authorized personnel within their respective institutions.
The release reaffirmed President Boakai’s administration’s commitment to good governance, integrity, and the rule of law. President Boakai emphasized that asset declarations are not merely legal obligations but essential measures for promoting transparency and restoring public trust in government institutions.
“Failure to comply with asset declaration requirements undermines national efforts to combat corruption and ensures accountability,” the release noted. According to the release, strict enforcement of legal and ethical standards will continue to be a priority of the Boakai administration.
In related developments, the ruling Unity Party (UP) has urged the LACC to accelerate its efforts in addressing corruption and mismanagement in the public sector. The Unity Party’s 1st Vice Chairperson, Senator Dabah Varpilah, delivered a statement to LACC Chairperson Cllr. Alexandra Zoe is calling for urgent action on multiple audit reports that highlight serious financial misappropriations.
Among the reports referenced were those from the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) and the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA).
These audits uncovered instances of financial mismanagement and violations of key financial regulations, including the Financial Management Law and the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC) Law.
Senator Varpilah stressed the importance of swift and thorough investigations into these issues to restore public confidence in Liberia’s financial systems.
In support of the President’s ongoing fight against corruption, the Unity Party has also presented a list of legal experts with extensive experience in constitutional law, criminal justice, and anti-corruption enforcement. The party believes these legal professionals will play a critical role in strengthening Liberia’s anti-corruption frameworks and ensuring that investigations and prosecutions are conducted effectively.
“The Unity Party said it remains steadfast in its commitment to good governance, transparency, and accountability.” “We stand with President Boakai in his fight to eliminate corruption and strengthen our nation’s democratic institutions,” it said.
Meanwhile, a recent report from the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), based on the findings of Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2024, shows that Liberia has moved up two places from a score of 25 in 2023 to 27 in 2024. This modest improvement is credited to President Boakai’s vigorous stance against corruption and abuse of public trust.
For the first time in seven years, Liberia’s CPI ranking has seen a positive shift, signaling that the country’s anti-corruption efforts are beginning to have a noticeable impact. However, many experts argue that more work remains to be done to fully root out corruption and ensure a transparent, accountable public sector.
As the nation moves forward, the combined efforts of the President, the Unity Party, and various legal experts reflect a growing consensus on the need to tackle corruption head-on. The coming months will be critical in determining whether these actions will translate into sustained progress in Liberia’s fight for transparency, accountability, and good governance.
The president’s suspension of non-compliant officials and the Unity Party’s push for stronger anti-corruption measures mark a pivotal moment in Liberia’s ongoing efforts to combat systemic corruption and restore public confidence in the nation’s leadership.
Over 400 suspended officials from the Liberian government have been visiting the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) to declare their assets since their suspension.
