CSO Council Head Lauds Boakai’s Corruption Fight

As President Joseph Nyuma Boakai on Wednesday, February 12, 2025 took a giant step in the fight against corruption with the suspension of several public officials, who failed to declare their assets, the President’s action has received commendation from the Chairperson of the National Civil Society Council of Liberia (NCSCL), Loretta Alethea Pope-Kai.  Speaking in an interview with reporters on Thursday morning, February 13, 2025, Madam Popo-Kai stated that the President’s move marks a significant step in the battle against the menace of corruption.  Madam Pope-Kai, who is also a member on the Board of the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), and whose name is also enlisted among the names of officials who have not declared their 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 process in ensuring transparency and accountability in government.  “Let me use this time to firstly thank His Execellently; President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, for this decissive step. His action is lauded in the fight towards transparency and accountability in governant. 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 I am certainly proceeding 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 taken with the suspension of 457 public officials, who failed to declare their asset 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 said 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. He notes that failure to comply with asset declaration requirements undermines national efforts to combat corruption and ensure accountability.  The President stressed strict adherence to the enforcement of legal and ethical standards that will continue to be a priority of this Administration.