CENTAL Proffers Five Counts On Anti-Corruption; Releases Transparency International’s Corruption Index 2023

The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has proffered several measures to the Joseph Boakai administration for consideration, with key emphasis on the fight against corruption within the Liberian government.

   The five-count recommendation contained in CENTAL’s findings of Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2023 its Executive Director Anderson Miamen underscored that President Boakai must implement anti-corruption reforms to improve Liberia’s performance on the CPI.

    Miamen emphasized that the President must show true leadership in the fight against corruption by appointing people with clean and untainted records as well as declaring and publishing his assets, incomes and liabilities and requiring same of his officials.

   In his statement released Tuesday, January 30, 2024, he also called on the General Auditing Commission (GAC) to timely audit the inauguration budget and expenditures as well as the consolidated account of government.

   This, the CENTAL boss noted, is important in the wake of claims and counterclaims about corruption and misrepresentation of the facts surrounding the closing balance of the Coalition for Democratic Change government, as of January 22, 2024.

   “We note the welcoming commitment from legislators to declare their assets, incomes and liabilities. We encourage them to timely do so, open themselves up for audit, as well as make their voting and other processes transparent,” Miamen added.

   The institution further urged the Unity Party regime to launch an investigation into lingering passport scandal at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ensure it is completed and the report published.

   Anderson Miamen said he also wants other outstanding issues from the Weah-led administration investigated and the findings published and implemented.

   “Finally, civil society, media, ordinary citizens, and other actors should constructively engage with and support national efforts against corruption. With collective effort, the country is bound to make remarkable progress in the war against corruption and bad governance,” the CENTAL Executive Director said.

   The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia noted that Liberia ranks 145/180 among countries covered by CPI 2023. In the report, CENTAL added that from 32 in 2018, Liberia has dropped by 7 points to 25 in 2023, adding that, unfortunately, this further cements the country’s position as one of the biggest decliners on the CPI, dropping by a massive 16 points from 41 in 2012 to 25 in 2023. 

   “In West Africa and the Mano River Union, Liberia is the only country that has declined by 7 points over the last 6 years. This is corroborated by CENTAL’s 2021, 2022 and 2023 State of Corruption Reports, which reveal that 90% of Liberians think Corruption level is high in the country, with low citizens’ confidence in the executive branch of government to fight against corruption,” CENTAL ED averred.

   Anderson Miamen expressed concern over the country’s consistent poor performance, especially her place among the Worst Decliners globally.

   “In part, this speaks to the Liberian government’s inability to address entrenched culture of impunity for corruption, despite enacting new anti-corruption laws and amending existing ones to make them stronger.

   “For example, current and former government officials sanctioned by the US government for corruption are yet to be investigated and prosecuted. This adds to weak enforcement of anti-corruption laws and limited financial support to public integrity institutions such as the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission and Public Procurement and Concession Commission,” Miamen said.