President Joseph Nyumah Boakai, Sr., has embarked on a decisive and commendable anti-corruption campaign since assuming office in November 2023. His administration’s robust actions, which include the immediate suspension of current government officials facing allegations of financial and administrative malpractices, coupled with the pursuit of justice against former officials, mark a significant departure from past governance practices in Liberia, fulfilling a central promise of his election campaign.
The significance of these actions extends beyond individual accountability. They represent a concerted effort to restore public trust, enhance transparency, and strengthen the rule of law, all of which are critical pillars for Liberia’s long-term stability, economic development, and improved international standing.
By demonstrating a clear commitment to integrity at the highest levels of government, President Boakai is laying a foundational groundwork for a more accountable and prosperous future for the Liberian people. To fully realize this vision, however, a consistent and unwavering commitment to impartiality and speedy prosecution will be paramount.
Liberia has long grappled with the pervasive challenge of corruption, a deeply entrenched issue that has historically undermined governance, contributed to civil conflict, and significantly impeded national development. The Liberia’s persistent low ranking on the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index, standing at 135 out of 180 countries in the past year, underscores the profound scale of this challenge.
Public frustration with previous administrations, which faced widespread accusations of lavish spending and a notable lack of accountability, created an undeniable mandate for change among the Liberian populace. It was against this backdrop of public disillusionment and a yearning for principled leadership that President Boakai was elected in November 2023.
His campaign was built upon a clear and resonant promise: to vigorously combat corruption and restore integrity to public service. The foundational principles guiding his administration’s anti-corruption agenda are unequivocally centered on transparency, accountability, and the unwavering adherence to the rule of law. The initial actions taken by President Boakai’s government are not merely policy implementations; they are potent symbolic gestures designed to fundamentally reset the public’s perception of governance.
This approach establishes a clear “reset” narrative, aiming to delineate a distinct break from the past and usher in a new era characterized by greater accountability. The ultimate success of this anti-corruption drive will be measured not solely by the number of suspensions or investigations initiated, but by its capacity to fundamentally alter the ingrained culture of impunity and deliver tangible improvements in the daily lives of Liberians, thereby solidifying this “reset” in the collective consciousness.
This requires not only decisive action but also a steadfast commitment to impartiality and the swift, equitable application of justice. The President’s administration has demonstrated an immediate and uncompromising approach to addressing alleged corruption within its ranks, signaling a clear commitment to accountability from the outset of this anti-corruption strategy has been the swift suspension of high-ranking officials facing credible allegations of misconduct.
This decisive action underscores the administration’s commitment to safeguarding ongoing investigations and ensuring the uninterrupted functioning of public institutions.
For instance, Mr. Arthur S. Massaquoi was suspended with immediate effect from his duties as Director-General of the Bureau of State Enterprises (BSE) following credible reports of financial and administrative malpractices under his leadership. President Boakai explicitly stated that this action was intended to safeguard the integrity of an ongoing investigation by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) and ensure the smooth operation of the Bureau during this critical period. Similarly, Abdullah L. Kamara, the Acting Chairman of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA), was suspended following allegations of corruption and financial misconduct, including the mismanagement of US$2.6 million designated for a digital literacy program for Liberian youth.
This suspension came in the wake of an explosive General Auditing Commission (GAC) report, with the President’s suspension letter emphasizing the government’s zero-tolerance policy on corruption.
The LACC is actively investigating Mr. Kamara, also raising concerns about his simultaneous leadership of a public regulatory body and a private company with interests in the telecom sector. Beyond these prominent cases, the administration has also undertaken dismissals at the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Commission (WASH) and initiated actions against officials at the Liberia Refugees Repatriation and Resettlement Commission.
These immediate, high-profile suspensions serve as a powerful deterrent and a clear signal of changed norms within public service. By taking such visible and swift action, the administration aims to establish a new standard for conduct, creating an environment where public officials are compelled to exercise greater caution and adhere to ethical standards. This is not merely about individual accountability but about shaping a new culture of governance.
While suspensions are not equivalent to convictions, their immediate and public nature represents a crucial initial step in restoring public confidence and setting a new, more rigorous tone for public service. One of the most sweeping and impactful actions undertaken by President Boakai has been the mass suspension of government officials for non-compliance with asset declaration requirements.
In February 2025, President Boakai announced the suspension of more than 450 top government officials, including the Ministers of Education, Health, and the Minister overseeing the budget, for failing to declare their assets to the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC). These officials were placed on unpaid leave for a month or until they fulfilled the necessary declarations.
This decisive measure is firmly rooted in Liberia’s legal framework, specifically Article 90(c) of the 1986 Constitution, which mandates a code of conduct for government employees, and the LACC’s guidelines requiring all public servants to declare their assets for investigative purposes and public accessibility. This requirement aligns with global best practices, notably Article 8(5) of the United Nations Convention against Corruption, to which Liberia is a party, emphasizing the establishment of systems for public officials to declare assets that could lead to conflicts of interest.
President Boakai emphasized that the failure to declare assets undermined “national efforts to combat corruption and ensure accountability”. The sheer number of officials suspended for asset declaration non-compliance suggests that this was not an isolated issue but rather a systemic problem, potentially indicative of deeply ingrained practices from previous administrations.
The President’s action, therefore, transcends mere individual punishment; it represents a direct challenge to a pervasive culture of opacity and impunity. By rigorously enforcing a fundamental legal requirement, the administration is actively attempting to reset the ethical baseline for public service. This move directly addresses the historical “lack of political will” and “institutional weakness” that have been identified as primary causal factors for corruption in Liberia.
This large-scale enforcement aims to foster a profound cultural shift towards greater transparency and accountability across the entire government apparatus, potentially making it significantly more difficult for corruption to thrive unnoticed in the future. It establishes a powerful precedent that compliance with foundational anti-corruption measures is non-negotiable.
Beyond direct enforcement, President Boakai has also engaged in symbolic gestures aimed at reinforcing his administration’s commitment to integrity and fostering public trust. In July 2024, he voluntarily reduced his own salary by 40 percent. This action was explicitly aimed at “strengthening government accountability and demonstrating solidarity with the people” and showcasing “responsible governance”.
While the direct financial impact of a single salary reduction may be limited, its symbolic value is immense, particularly in a nation where past leaders faced accusations of lavish spending. Such a voluntary cut signals a profound commitment to fiscal prudence and empathy with the economic struggles of ordinary Liberians. This act of moral leadership at the highest level of government aims to build public trust and set a tone of selflessness, thereby reinforcing the broader anti-corruption message.
Gestures of this nature can significantly influence public perception and cultivate a sense of shared responsibility, potentially fostering greater public buy-in for broader and more challenging anti-corruption reforms.
Beyond addressing current malpractices, President Boakai’s administration is actively pursuing accountability for past corruption, recognizing that a comprehensive anti-corruption strategy must address historical impunity.
The LACC stands as a pivotal institution in President Boakai’s broader anti-corruption strategy. Its effectiveness was significantly bolstered in 2022 through an amendment to its Act, which granted the LACC direct prosecutorial powers. This institutional strengthening measure is critical for transitioning from mere investigations to successful legal outcomes.The LACC has been proactive in leveraging its enhanced mandate.
As of the second quarter of 2024, the Commission had initiated 45 ongoing investigations based on reports from the public. Furthermore, the LACC requires all government officials to make a national integrity pledge, a commitment to principles of integrity, transparency, and accountability, signaling a proactive approach to fostering ethical conduct.
The LACC is actively collaborating with the Ministry of Justice to draft formal indictments following concluded investigations, such as the probe into the National Road Fund (NRF), where findings revealed multiple acts of misappropriation and abuse of office. This active support for the LACC’s investigative and prosecutorial functions demonstrates a commitment to institutional strengthening rather than simply reacting to individual cases. This approach recognizes that sustainable anti-corruption efforts necessitate robust, independent integrity institutions.
Empowering bodies like the LACC is therefore crucial for moving beyond suspensions to achieving successful prosecutions, which represents the ultimate measure of accountability and a key factor in improving Liberia’s standing on the Corruption Perceptions Index.
The Assets Recovery Taskforce
Recognizing that corruption not only undermines governance but also depletes national resources, the Boakai administration has established an Assets Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce (AREPT). The primary mandate of this taskforce is to recover stolen state assets and properties acquired through corrupt means, including those illicitly stashed abroad.
The establishment of AREPT signifies a strategic shift from merely punishing individuals to actively reversing the economic damage inflicted by corruption. Liberia, despite its vast untapped mineral wealth, Liberians have long suffered from dire poverty, a direct consequence of systemic corruption.
By focusing on asset recovery, the administration directly addresses the “economic crimes” that Nobel Laureate Leymah Gbowee equates to “murdering thousands by denying them basic needs”. This initiative holds the potential to inject much-needed resources back into the national economy, thereby supporting vital development initiatives.
Successful asset recovery will not only serve as a powerful deterrent against future illicit enrichment but also deliver tangible benefits to the Liberian people, demonstrating that anti-corruption efforts can directly improve their quality of life.
Also , another significant, long-awaited and concrete stance is establishing a War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia. This initiative addresses a critical recommendation from the 2009 Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), which sought to bring justice for atrocities committed during Liberia’s brutal civil wars.
To overcome years of legislative inertia that had plagued this issue, the Office for the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia (OEWECC) was created by Executive Order in May 2024, with its mandate renewed in May 2025. This executive action bypassed political obstacles that had previously stalled progress for over 15 years. The OWECC’s role is to meticulously map the path towards the establishment of these two courts—one for war crimes and another for economic crimes—by considering their structure, staffing, budget, and a realistic timeline for launch.
Furthermore, the budget allocated to the OWECC has been increased to US$2 million from an initial US$380,000, signaling a heightened commitment to this crucial endeavor. This initiative is not solely about prosecuting past crimes; it is fundamentally about addressing the root causes of Liberia’s protracted instability. Corruption and impunity were direct contributors to the civil war.
By pursuing a War and Economic Crimes Court, President Boakai signals a holistic approach to accountability, recognizing that economic crimes can be as devastating as physical violence.
This move aims to break a deeply entrenched cycle of impunity that has transcended various governments , thereby laying a stronger foundation for future good governance by unequivocally demonstrating that no one, regardless of their past or present influence, is above the law.
If successfully implemented, this bold step could be transformative for Liberia, fostering genuine reconciliation, deterring future abuses, and significantly enhancing public trust in the justice system. It also sends a powerful message to the international community regarding Liberia’s commitment to human rights and the rule of law.
The early actions of President Boakai’s administration have garnered significant positive responses both domestically and internationally, indicative of a shifting landscape in Liberia’s governance. The recent Afro-barometer findings provide compelling evidence of a notable increase in public confidence concerning the Boakai government’s handling of corruption.
The survey, conducted between July 30 and August 21, 2024, revealed that the proportion of Liberians who believe the government is doing “fairly well” or “very well” at fighting corruption surged by 43 percentage points compared to 2022, reaching 54% in 2024. This represents a significant improvement, more than quadrupling the approval rate from 2022.
Moreover, the findings indicate a reduced perception among citizens that corruption is increasing. Crucially, a greater percentage of Liberians (36%) now express confidence that they can report corruption without fear of retaliation, an increase from 27% in 2022. Public trust in the President and his office also saw a discernible improvement, with a 9-percentage point increase compared to 2022, reaching 46%.
These positive Afrobarometer findings reflect an initial surge of optimism and approval for President Boakai’s decisive early actions. This phenomenon is often observed during the “honeymoon period” of a new administration that has campaigned on a strong reform agenda. However, it is important to acknowledge that this confidence is not universal and remains conditional on tangible results beyond initial suspensions.
Leymah Gbowee’s critique, for instance, that “suspensions ring hollow” without trials and asset recovery, highlights this conditional nature of public trust. The administration must translate these early actions into concrete convictions and systemic reforms to maintain and deepen public trust, preventing potential disillusionment as this initial period of goodwill naturally wanes.
President Boakai’s anti-corruption efforts have also received crucial recognition and support from key international partners, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.
The IMF completed its first review of Liberia’s arrangement under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF), enabling Liberia to draw SDR 34.3 million (equivalent to approximately US$46 million) to strengthen its international reserves. The IMF noted “good progress” in the implementation of sound macroeconomic policies and structural reforms, specifically highlighting the Liberian authorities’ “renewed commitments to urgently tackle issues in weak banks and improve governance in public institutions.”
The IMF underscored that “Broader governance reforms are key to the success of the program and the country’s long-term development prospects,” urging the strengthening of integrity institutions and rigorous enforcement of anti-corruption legislation. Similarly, the World Bank has demonstrated its support through concrete initiatives. In March 2025, the World Bank approved a $30 million Governance Reform and Accountability Transformation (GREAT) Project, funded by the International Development Association (IDA). This ambitious initiative aims to modernize governance, expand digital services, enhance tax collection, and reinforce transparency within key institutions.
The World Bank also acknowledged the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court and the Assets Recovery Taskforce by the Liberian government, aligning with a strong focus on accountability and good governance. The support from the IMF and World Bank represents a strong international endorsement of President Boakai’s reform agenda.
However, this support is explicitly tied to Liberia’s continued commitment to “urgently tackle issues in weak banks,” “improve governance,” and “rigorously enforce public laws and regulations”. This suggests that international confidence is predicated not just on initial actions but on the sustained implementation of deeper structural reforms, particularly in financial sector governance and legal enforcement.
The substantial World Bank project is an investment in these systemic changes. International support provides critical financial and technical assistance, but it also creates an external impetus for the Boakai administration to deliver concrete, measurable results in its anti-corruption drive, especially in areas like financial sector integrity and the rule of law. This external validation is crucial for Liberia’s global image and its recent election to the non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
While President Boakai’s anti-corruption drive has initiated a commendable shift, the path to comprehensive accountability in Liberia is fraught with complexities and has drawn criticisms that warrant careful consideration. To truly solidify his legacy and ensure lasting change, the administration must demonstrate unwavering impartiality and accelerate the prosecution of alleged offenders.
One notable controversy that has drawn sharp public criticism is the settlement reached with former Central Bank Governor J. Aloysius Tarlue, Jr. Despite his suspension over allegations of financial irregularities and non-compliance with the Public Financial Management (PFM) Law, the government agreed to pay him over $374,000 in exchange for withdrawing his lawsuit.
Critics, including Representative Clarence Gahr, Chairperson of the Joint Legislative Public Accounts Committee, accused the government of “backdoor deals” and compromising accountability for “political expediency”. This incident has intensified public doubts about the administration’s commitment to tackling corruption, raising “ongoing concerns about transparency and accountability”.
Such settlements, while potentially resolving legal disputes, must not overshadow the imperative for full public accountability and the perception of justice being served.
Furthermore, Nobel Laureate Leymah Gbowee has voiced significant concerns, stating that “Suspensions ring hollow” without subsequent trials, asset recovery, and fundamental reforms.
She contends that “Impunity has taken a glorious seat in this nation” and that economic crimes, which she equates to “murdering thousands by denying them basic needs,” largely go unpunished. These observations highlight a critical demand for tangible convictions and a more robust judicial follow-through.
The public’s trust hinges on seeing cases move swiftly from investigation to impartial prosecution and, where warranted, conviction. Questions have also been raised regarding the consistent application of the rule of law across all branches of government.
President Boakai’s strong political will to fight corruption is evident in his decisive initial actions, such as the mass suspensions and the establishment of the OWECC. However, incidents like the Tarlue settlement and the controversy surrounding a Supreme Court ruling in the just ended Speakership illustrate the intricate interplay of political expediency, legal constraints, and existing institutional weaknesses that can impede full accountability.
The sustained scrutiny from public figures like Leymah Gbowee and legislative bodies like the Joint PAC underscores that Citizens, public and civil society expectations remain high, demanding not just initial actions but concrete convictions and consistent adherence to legal principles. This situation highlights a fundamental challenge: strong political will, while essential, must be consistently matched by robust, independent institutional processes to be truly effective and to avoid perceptions of “political maneuvers.”
To sustain the momentum generated and solidify his legacy, President Boakai must address these criticisms by ensuring judicial independence, consistent application of the rule of law, and a clear, transparent path to prosecution and asset recovery, even when politically challenging.
The fight against corruption is an ongoing process that demands continuous commitment. Sustained political will is paramount, coupled with ongoing investment in strengthening integrity institutions like the LACC and ensuring the independence and efficiency of the judiciary to handle complex corruption cases without external interference.
This will be the ultimate test of his administration’s commitment to genuine, systemic change rather than merely symbolic gestures. The call for impartiality and speedy prosecution is not a critique of intent, but a necessary pathway to achieving the profound and lasting transformation Liberia so desperately needs.
President Boakai administration has undeniably ushered in a new and commendable chapter in Liberia’s governance. His decisive leadership, marked by immediate and sweeping actions against alleged corruption within government ranks and a proactive pursuit of accountability for past misdeeds, has initiated a profound shift.
The widespread suspensions of officials for financial malpractices and non-compliance with asset declaration laws, coupled with the establishment of critical mechanisms like the Assets Recovery Taskforce and the Office for the Establishment of a War and Economic Crimes Court, demonstrate a clear and unwavering commitment to integrity and the rule of law.
These efforts have already yielded tangible results in terms of public perception, with Afrobarometer findings indicating a significant increase in confidence in the government’s anti-corruption drive. Crucially, international partners like the IMF and World Bank have acknowledged and supported these reforms, providing vital financial and technical assistance that underscores global confidence in Liberia’s renewed commitment to good governance.
While challenges remain, including the need for consistent prosecutorial follow-through, careful navigation of political complexities, and ensuring the unwavering independence of judicial processes, the foundational steps taken by President Boakai are commendable and vital. If the current momentum is sustained, and the administration continues to address criticisms by prioritizing consistent application of the rule of law, ensuring impartiality in all actions, and strengthening institutional capacities for speedy prosecution, these anti-corruption efforts hold the transformative potential to lay a robust foundation.
This foundation can foster improved governance, attract increased foreign investment, and ultimately lead to a more prosperous, equitable, and accountable Liberia, fulfilling the aspirations of its people for a future free from the shackles of corruption. The path to full accountability is indeed long, but the initial strides are both significant and inspiring, and the call for impartiality and speedy prosecution will ensure these strides lead to a lasting transformation.