Liberian President Joseph Boakai has suspended more than 450 senior government officials for not submitting their asset declarations to the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC). The affected officials, who have been suspended without pay for one month or until they submit the required documents, were informed of their suspension by the presidency.
In a statement, Boakai emphasized that the failure to declare assets violated the code of conduct for public officials, undermining efforts to promote transparency and accountability within the government. The president, who took office last year with a strong pledge to combat corruption, stated that such non-compliance with the asset declaration law is a direct setback to his administration’s anti-corruption initiatives.
Under Liberian law, all public officials are required to declare their assets both before taking office and upon leaving their positions. The LACC recently published the names of the 457 officials who failed to meet this legal requirement. The publication of their names was in line with the law, which mandates transparency and accountability in public office.
President Boakai reiterated in his statement that asset declaration is not merely a legal obligation but a fundamental tool to restore public trust and promote transparency in government institutions. He also highlighted that this move was part of his broader commitment to strengthen Liberia’s governance and improve the country’s anti-corruption efforts.
Boakai’s administration has been actively attempting to distance itself from the corruption allegations that plagued his predecessor, former President George Weah’s government. The Weah administration had been criticized for lavish spending and allegations of corruption, which had sparked protests and public outcry, particularly as the cost of living surged.
In a gesture of solidarity with the Liberian people, Boakai made headlines last July by announcing a 40% reduction in his own salary. He framed the move as an example of responsible governance, hoping to set a precedent for public officials and demonstrate empathy with the financial struggles of ordinary citizens.
On Wednesday, several of the suspended officials visited the LACC offices to submit their asset declarations, in response to the suspension. However, the move has sparked mixed reactions from both political analysts and civil society groups.
Political analyst Abdullah Kiatamba expressed support for Boakai’s anti-corruption stance but raised concerns about the challenges some officials might face in submitting their asset declarations, especially if they lack access to the necessary resources.
Meanwhile, civil society group Solidarity and Trust for a New Day criticized the suspension as insufficient. In a statement, the group referred to the one-month suspension as a “symbolic gesture” that lacked any real consequences. They argued that it was “a slap on the wrist” and suggested that it would not have any lasting impact on the government’s efforts to tackle corruption.
As the debate continues over the effectiveness of the president’s decision, Boakai’s administration faces increasing pressure to demonstrate its commitment to transparency and accountability in the face of persistent concerns about corruption in Liberia’s public sector.
