In a decisive break from the past, President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has launched a bold anti-corruption campaign, suspending and dismissing multiple officials from his administration based on audit findings, while pursuing legal action against those found culpable of mismanaging public resources.
This approach sharply contrasts with the previous administration of former President George Manneh Weah, under whom corruption allegations were often ignored and auditors investigating public funds were mysteriously killed, casting a dark shadow over Liberia’s governance and accountability systems.
A New Era of Accountability
Since taking office in January 2024, President Boakai has repeatedly affirmed his administration’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption. In the past months, several top-level officials—some of them longtime political allies—have been either suspended, dismissed, or referred for prosecution following internal and external audits conducted by the General Auditing Commission (GAC), Internal Audit Agency (IAA), and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC).
President Boakai has stated that “no one is above the law,” underscoring that public service is a privilege, not a license to exploit state resources.
“Our mission is to restore trust in government and institutions,” the President declared in a recent address. “We will not repeat the mistakes of the past, where impunity became the norm and accountability the exception.”
Prosecuting Corruption vs. Protecting It
This clean-up campaign marks a significant shift from the practices of the Weah administration (2018–2023), which was plagued by repeated scandals. Critics have accused former President Weah of shielding officials implicated in high-profile corruption cases, refusing to act on audit reports, and fostering a culture of impunity.
One of the darkest episodes of the Weah years was the mysterious deaths of four professional auditors in 2020 who were reportedly working on sensitive financial reports involving government spending. Despite public outcry and international concern, the cases were never resolved, and justice was never served.
Several corruption scandals during the Weah era—including the missing $16 billion Liberian dollars and the mismanagement of donor COVID-19 funds—remained unprosecuted, with many officials retaining their positions or being quietly reassigned.
Citizens and Civil Society Applaud Boakai’s Bold Moves
Liberians across the country have welcomed President Boakai’s actions, viewing them as long overdue and necessary to rebuild public trust. Civil society organizations, including CENTAL (Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia), have praised the President’s willingness to act on audit findings and enforce the law.
“President Boakai is taking the right steps by holding his own officials accountable. This is the leadership Liberia has been yearning for,” said Anderson Miamen, Executive Director of CENTAL.
Challenges Ahead
While President Boakai’s efforts are being praised, observers caution that sustaining the anti-corruption momentum will require more than just suspensions and prosecutions. There must be systemic reforms, protection for whistleblowers and auditors, and strong coordination between integrity institutions and the judiciary.
The President’s critics argue that the fight against corruption must also extend to the business sector and international partners complicit in financial misdeeds.
A Clear Message to Public Officials
President Boakai’s ongoing crackdown sends a powerful message to public officials: service comes with accountability. Unlike his predecessor, who turned a blind eye to misconduct, Boakai is choosing to act—armed with audit reports, guided by the law, and committed to Liberia’s transformation.
As Liberia continues its post-Weah recovery, President Boakai’s administration faces the daunting but necessary task of rooting out corruption from all levels of government—setting a new national standard for integrity, transparency, and justice.
