NDC Commends Boakai-Koung Administration – For Cracking Down On Alleged Corrupt Officials

The National Democratic Coalition (NDC) of Liberia has applauded the current leadership of the Liberian government headed by President Boakai for instituting measures intended to bestow public trust in state governance thereby ensuring that people who mismanaged public funds in the past and even now are made to account for them. The NDC emphasized that the arrests of former government officials are not a witch-hunt or a means of political retribution. Instead, they are a crucial step toward fostering transparency, accountability, and promoting public trust in the state governance processes. The NDC believes that former and current government officials must be accountable for their deeds and that the ongoing arrests and prosecution of former officials are not a witch hunt; therefore, all Liberians should welcome these arrests and prosecutions emanating from audits done by the GAC and or recommendations made by the LACC. “This act will send a clear message to all public officials to do the right thing,” the group noted.  Meanwhile, the NDC has called on the Judiciary to be vigilant, straight forward, transparent, and accountable in all her dealings with corruption cases in the Republic of Liberia. The party asserted that the purpose of these arrests is to verify that public resources are managed responsibly and aligned with the best interests of the Liberian populace. By thoroughly reviewing past financial and administrative practices, the group said the goal is to identify any irregularities, address them, and establish safeguards against future issues. “This process is in line with the RESCUE MISSION’s steadfast commitment to good governance. The NDC holds that transparency and accountability in government are essential to a flourishing democracy. These arrests and audits contribute to our extensive endeavors to enhance institutional integrity, foster ethical leadership, and forge a stronger, more prosperous Liberia,” the group noted. The NDC encouraged all citizens, stakeholders, and international partners to welcome and endorse this initiative, emphasizing that collectively, “we can establish a governance system that is both efficient and trusted by the populace that the government it represents.”  The NDC said, having followed and continuing its interest in the ongoing arrests, auditing and prosecution processes of indicted individuals, based on the audit results from the GAC, it is recommending several measures that are necessary to be implemented to enhance governance and accountability in Liberia: Corrective Actions: Any identified discrepancies or irregularities should be addressed promptly. This may include recovering misappropriated funds, rectifying accounting errors, and implementing stricter financial controls to prevent future issues. Policy Reforms: The findings from all previous and ongoing audits should inform policy reforms aimed at strengthening governance frameworks. This could involve revising existing laws, regulations, and procedures to enhance transparency and accountability. Capacity Building: Training and capacity-building programs should be introduced to improve the skills and knowledge of government officials and staff. This will ensure better compliance with governance standards and more effective management of public resources. Enhanced Oversight: Strengthening the functions of institutions such as the General Auditing Commission (GAC) and the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) to ensure their efficacies and functioning; Strengthening Internal Controls: appropriate measures should be taken to enhance internal controls within government institutions to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse. This includes implementing robust financial management systems and regular internal and external audits.  These control mechanisms, according to the NDC, are intended to create a more transparent, accountable, and efficient governance system in Liberia, ultimately fostering public trust and promoting sustainable development in Liberia.