“Liberia Crisis Rooted In Bad Governance, Corruption.”

Against this backdrop, Pres. Boakai said, his administration has introduced performance management systems to monitor “efficiency and service delivery.”

 President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has admitted to bad governance and corruption.

He adds: “Country prolonged instability and years of conflict were largely fueled by weak governance, corruption, abuse of public trust and poor management of national resources.”

Meanwhile, Boakai has called for stronger accountability systems across Africa.

Boakai’s admittance was contained in a statement he made on Wednesday, May 20, at ceremony that marked the opening of the 22nd Governing Board Meeting of the African Organization of English-speaking Supreme Audit Institutions (AFROSAI-E).

The well-attended ceremony was held at the Ministerial complex in Congo Town, outside Monrovia.

Pres. Boakai acknowledged that the governance failures significantly contributed to the country’s civil crisis and institutional collapse.

While addressing African Auditor Generals, diplomats, and government officials, Boakai admitted that Liberia’s past demonstrated the dangerous consequences of “weak institutions and lack of transparency in public service.”

 He said, years of poor stewardship of public resources undermined public confidence and fueled national instability.

Boakai said, the establishment of key post-war governance institutions under the Accra Comprehensive Peace Agreement was intended to address corruption, lack of accountability and governance failures that had weakened the Liberian state.

He named institutions such as the National Elections Commission, the Governance Commission, the Independent National Human Rights Commission, and the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission, as part of reforms to restore integrity in governance.

Boakai also defended the creation of the General Auditing Commission (GAC), which he described as a “critical institution established to strengthen oversight and ensure responsible management of public resources.”

He praised Auditor General P. Garswa Jackson for bringing the AFROSAI-E conference to Liberia for the first time.

in spite of highlighting his administration’s anti-corruption efforts, Pres. Boakai admitted that Liberians continue to demand stronger action against corruption and poor public-sector performance.

Citizens, he said, expect government officials to manage public resources honestly, and effectively while delivering meaningful improvements in their lives.

Boakai disclosed that his administration has introduced performance management systems to monitor “efficiency and service delivery.”

He further pointed to recent audits the GAC conducted, which involved the Office of the President, the Legislature, the Judiciary and the Central Bank of Liberia, as evidence of increased scrutiny of public institutions.

Pres. Boakai also revealed that officials accused of financial misconduct have been suspended or dismissed under his administration.

He said, presidential appointees are now being compelled to declare their assets, with fines and suspensions imposed on noncompliant officials.

“Money collected from those fines was used to purchase school chairs for students.”

However, critics continue to question whether the government’s anti-corruption measures are producing concrete results, especially amid ongoing public concerns over transparency, accountability and economic hardship facing ordinary Liberians.

Pres. Boakai meanwhile, warned African leaders that the continent’s development aspirations cannot be achieved without accountable governance systems and prudent management of public resources.

He noted that although Africa possesses vast natural resources and a youthful population, weak institutions and poor governance remain major obstacles to development.

The AFROSAI-E conference brought together delegates from 26 African countries. They discussed regional audit cooperation, institutional independence and strategies to strengthen transparency and public financial management.