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ADNews-Monrovia: The Chairperson of the National Civil Society Council of Liberia (NCSCL), Madam Loretta Alethea Pope-Kai, congratulates President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for his stance on combatting corruption which has hindered the Nation’s development agendas over a century.
On Wednesday, February 12, 2025, Boakai took a giant step in the fight against corruption by suspending over 450 public officials for failing to declare assets.
Speaking in an interview with reporters on Thursday morning, February 13, 2025, Popo-Kai characterized President’s move as a significant step in the battle against the menace of corruption.
Madam Pope-Kai, who is also a member of the Board of the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), and was enlisted among the names of suspended officials for procrastinating to declare assets pointed out that the President’s action must be seen in good faith and embraced by every Liberian irrespective of political lines.
The CSO Council boss seized the occasion to call on all members of civil society who are on various boards of public institutions to immediately begin the process of declaration as this stands out to be one of the most singular important processes in ensuring transparency and accountability in government.
“Let me use this time to firstly thank His Excellency; President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, for this decisive step. His action is lauded in the fight for transparency and accountability in government. This is something that all Liberians must embrace in good faith regardless of whatever political party you come from,” intoned Madam Pope-Kai.
“Moving forward, I want to urge all members of our council and all civil society actors, who are members/chairs of boards to seize the opportunity to proceed at the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission to declare their assets. My name is also included, but have proceeded to do likewise,” she added.
It can be recalled that what stands out to be a giant step towards the fight against corruption by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai was the suspension of 457 public officials, who failed to declare their assets upon their appointments in government.
According to the Executive Mansion, suspensions of these officials are in accordance with Article 2, Section 10.2(h) of the Act to Amend Section 5.2 and Section 10.2 of the 2014 Code of Conduct, and follows President Boakai’s directive issued on November 27, 2024, granting a ten-day grace period for compliance.
The Mansion states that the suspensions were based on a list provided by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC).
While serving their suspension, these public officials are been mandated by the Liberian leader to with immediate effect, turn over government assets to compliant heads of agencies, their designees, or authorized personnel within their respective institutions.
“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. As part of this directive, all suspended officials must immediately turn over government assets to compliant heads of agencies, their designees, or authorized personnel within their respective institutions. The President remains steadfast in his commitment to good governance, integrity, and the rule of law.”
President Boakai reminds officials that assets declaration is not only a legal obligation but also a fundamental measure to promote transparency and restore public trust in government institutions.
Boakai emphasized that failure to comply with asset declaration requirements undermines national efforts to combat corruption and ensure accountability.
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