Liberian President Joseph Boakai has suspended over 400 officials including the Chairperson of the National Oil Company, the Minister of Commerce and ambassadors to the United States, United Kingdom and the United Nations for failing to declare their assets to the anti-corruption commission.
The President reached the decision after the sanctioned officials missed out on his Nov.27, 2024 directive granting a ten-day grace period for compliance, a statement published on the official Facebook account of the presidency said Wednesday.
“The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) has provided a list of non-compliant officials, and those listed are now suspended for a period of one month without pay or until they submit the required declarations.
“Public officials are reminded that assets declaration is not only a legal obligation but also a fundamental measure to promote transparency and restore public trust in government institutions.”
The move affected over 300 local government officials including municipal authorities across the country.
Amongst those penalized are the Minister of Commerce and Industry Magdalene Ellen Dagoneh, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Oil Company Gloria Musu Scott, the head of the country’s power utility Thomas Gonkerwon and the entire interim Management team of the Liberia Electricity Corporation.
Other includes Liberia Ambassador to the United States Al Hassan Conteh, Genevieve Kennedy Ambassador to the United Kingdom and Ambassador Lewis Brown, Liberia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
Graft has plagued iron ore and rubber exporting nation for decades. Boakai was elected in Nov. 2023 on a promise to fight corruption.
According to Transparency International, Liberia scored 27 points out of 100 on the 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index. Corruption Index in Liberia averaged 30.47 Points from 2005 until 2024, reaching an all time high of 41.00 Points in 2012 and a record low of 21.00 Points in 2007.
