President Joseph Boakai has taken a bold step in his anti-corruption agenda by suspending more than 450 government officials, including ministers and top administrators, for failing to declare their assets as required by law. The suspension, announced by the presidency, will remain in effect for one month or until the affected officials comply with the asset declaration mandate.
The suspended officials, including Liberia’s ministers of education and health, as well as special envoys for tourism and investment, have been accused of violating the country’s code of conduct by not disclosing their financial holdings to the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC). Others affected by the suspension include staff members of the Executive Mansion and county-level administrative officers.
Liberian law mandates that all public officials declare their assets upon assuming office and when leaving their posts. The LACC published the names of all 457 officials who had failed to meet this requirement, reinforcing the government’s stance on accountability.
President Boakai, who campaigned on a promise to tackle corruption, stated that non-compliance with asset declaration rules weakens efforts to establish transparency and accountability within the government.
“Public officials are reminded that asset declaration is not only a legal obligation but also a fundamental measure to promote transparency and restore public trust in governmental institutions,” he said in an official statement.
The move has sparked mixed reactions across Liberia. Some political analysts see it as a necessary step toward enforcing good governance, while others argue that suspending officials for just one month is an inadequate response to a serious issue.
Abdullah Kiatamba, a political analyst quoted by FrontPage Africa, acknowledged Boakai’s commitment to fighting corruption but pointed out that some officials may have faced bureaucratic hurdles in submitting their declarations.
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Meanwhile, the civil society group Solidarity and Trust for a New Day criticized the suspension, calling it a mere symbolic gesture. “Suspending these officials for just one month is a meaningless, symbolic gesture—a slap on the wrist that no serious person should take seriously,” the organization said in a statement.
Boakai’s anti-corruption drive is not new. Last July, he announced a 40% cut to his own salary, citing the need to promote “responsible governance” and show solidarity with ordinary Liberians, many of whom have struggled with rising living costs. His predecessor, George Weah, faced widespread allegations of corruption and extravagant spending, which led to mass protests demanding accountability.
Following the announcement of the suspensions, some of the affected officials have already begun visiting the LACC to comply with the asset declaration requirement.
As the suspension period unfolds, many Liberians will be watching closely to see whether this move leads to broader systemic reforms or remains a temporary measure in the fight against corruption.
