Friday, December 27

On Sunday, December 22, President Joseph Boakai, while addressing the 60th anniversary commemoration of the county statuses of Bong, Grand Gedeh, Lofa, and Nimba, made a statement we believe has been misrepresented.

During his speech, the President remarked, “We want to encourage those who want to remain corrupt and steal money, I beg you, the money should be used to bless our people.”

Although the statement may appear ambiguous, it is far from an endorsement of corruption. A closer examination reveals the President’s intent: urging officials to reject corrupt practices so that the nation’s resources, including financial assets, benefit the Liberian people.

It is illogical to claim that the President would encourage corruption while simultaneously pleading for stolen funds to be used for the country’s benefit. If President Boakai truly sought to uplift Liberians, would he need to beg officials to steal money for that purpose? Our answer is a resounding no.

A Proven Commitment to Fighting Corruption

Has President Boakai demonstrated a commitment to combating corruption? We firmly believe so.

Since taking office, President Boakai has launched numerous initiatives to ensure accountability and transparency in governance:

Anti-Corruption Audits: In February 2024, the President initiated audits of major government institutions, including the Central Bank of Liberia and the Executive Protection Service, focusing on operations from 2018 to 2023.

Suspension of Corrupt Officials: Following these audits, Central Bank Governor Jolue Aloysius Tarlue was suspended in July 2024 for unauthorized loans and overspending. In October 2024, senior officials at the Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC) were also suspended pending investigations into financial misconduct by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC).

Public Declarations of Accountability: In August 2024, President Boakai warned newly commissioned officials against corruption, promising severe consequences for violators.

International Anti-Corruption Day: On December 9, 2024, the President declared “International Anti-Corruption Day” to promote ethical governance across the nation.

Additionally, President Boakai demanded the resignation of his relative and supporter, Amin Modad, after Modad controversially purchased a luxury vehicle using funds from Medtech.

Moreover, President Boakai, following the precedent set by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, has publicly declared his assets, a transparency measure ignored by former President George Weah. He has also urged all public officials to declare their assets in compliance with the law.

A Misplaced Comparison

Comparing President Boakai’s recent statement to Senator Nathaniel McGill’s pre-sanction remarks is flawed. McGill explicitly declared, “Even if I was stealing the money and giving it to the Liberian people, that’s a good thing I’m doing.”This unapologetic acknowledgment of corruption only reinforced the allegations of his rapid and unexplained accumulation of wealth during Weah’s administration.

In contrast, President Boakai has no corruption stains on his record. The attempt to equate the two individuals lacks merit.

Conclusion

As the adage goes, “Actions speak louder than words.” President Boakai’s proactive measures against corruption demonstrate his commitment to ethical leadership.

Therefore, we at DN News Liberia reject the misrepresentation of his Lofa statement. Until evidence suggests otherwise, we stand by the belief that President Boakai does not and will not endorse corruption.

Let us focus on his actions, which continue to speak volumes about his vision for a more accountable and prosperous Liberia.

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