This year’s observance was held at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex under the national theme: “Uniting with Youth Against Corruption for a Peaceful, Inclusive, and Prosperous Liberia.” The program showcased Liberia’s ongoing efforts and the challenges that remain in the fight against corruption.

LACC officials emphasized that tackling corruption is a shared responsibility and urged all Liberians to renew their commitment to building a society anchored in integrity, accountability, and equal opportunity. They described the theme as timely, urgent, and crucial to the nation’s development agenda.

Youth: The Heartbeat of Liberia’s Transformation

Liberia is one of the youngest nations in the world, with more than 70 percent of its population under the age of 35. According to the LACC, young people are the country’s greatest asset—its innovators, dreamers, and future leaders—yet they are also disproportionately affected by corruption.

“When corruption drains the national budget, it is the youth who suffer the most,” officials noted, citing reduced access to quality education, healthcare, employment, and public infrastructure.

The Commission stressed that the war against corruption cannot be won without the active leadership and participation of young people. “They are not bystanders,” the LACC stated. “They are central drivers of integrity, transparency, and accountability.”

Impact of Corruption on Peace and Development

The LACC warned that corruption remains one of the gravest threats to peace, stability, and national development in Liberia. It weakens institutions, deprives citizens of essential services, fuels inequality, and undermines public trust in leadership—risks that could reverse gains made since the end of the civil conflict.

A peaceful and inclusive Liberia, they emphasized, requires governance rooted in transparency. A prosperous Liberia demands that public resources serve all citizens, not just a privileged few.

To this end, the LACC reaffirmed its commitment to intensifying efforts in corruption prevention, investigations, prosecution support, asset declaration enforcement, and institutional reforms aimed at promoting accountability across the public sector.

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In a statement made as he bid farewell to the experts from FTI Consulting, President Boakai praised their efforts and urged AREPT, led by Cllr. Edwin Kla Martin, to ensure that all asset recovery initiatives adhere strictly to legal frameworks. The president emphasized that international expertise would strengthen Liberia’s capacity to trace and recover assets lost to corruption. The international delegation, headed by FTI Consulting’s Senior Managing Director Andrew Durant, reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating with AREPT in support of President Boakai’s anti-corruption agenda. They also pledged to return for the next phase of their work.

During their week-long stay, the experts met with several key Liberian institutions to strengthen collaboration on asset tracing and recovery. These engagements included discussions with the Governance Commission’s Acting Chair, Prof. Alaric K. Tokpah, and Vice Chairperson, Sianneh S. Juah, as well as Liberia’s Auditor General, Garswa Jackson, Sr.

The delegation also held meetings with Justice Minister Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh, Police Inspector General Gregory O. W. Coleman, Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, and officials from the Financial Intelligence Agency. According AREPT, all institutions reaffirmed their commitment to assisting Taskforce in recovering assets acquired through illicit means.

Liberia, which has long struggled with corruption and financial mismanagement, is seeking to establish a more structured and transparent asset recovery process. Officials within the administration argue that such efforts are crucial in restoring public trust in governance.

“This initiative is about ensuring accountability and making sure that resources meant for the Liberian people are returned to them,” said a senior official involved in the meetings. “We are committed to this process and will provide full support to AREPT.”

The FTI Consulting experts’ visit represents a significant step toward institutionalizing asset recovery mechanisms in the country. As they prepare for the next phase of their work, expectations are high that Liberia’s renewed anti-corruption drive will yield tangible results.

President Boakai has made fighting corruption a central pillar of his administration, vowing to take decisive action against those who misappropriate public funds. With the involvement of international forensic experts, Liberia aims to send a strong message that corruption will not be tolerated under the new leadership.

The FTI Consulting team is set to depart Liberia in the coming days, with plans to return for further assessments and support in the ongoing asset recovery efforts.

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Counselor Edwin Kla Martin, chairman of the Task Force, emphasized the group’s adherence to legal procedures, dispelling concerns that the effort is politically motivated. “We want to assure the Liberian people that we are acting in conformity with the law,” he stated in a live interview on ELBC Radio. “Our focus is on identifying, tracing, and recovering assets that were unlawfully taken, while ensuring that those involved are given due process.”

The Task Force was reestablished under Executive Order 145 by President Joseph N. Boakai, granting it broad authority to scrutinize fraudulent corporate entities, shell companies, and illicit financial transactions that drained government coffers. Martin detailed how some officials, along with local and foreign business associates, allegedly funneled public funds through fictitious companies, fraudulent contracts, and undelivered government supplies.

To enhance investigative efforts, the Task Force has enlisted forensic experts Andrew Durant and Wayne Anthony from FTI Consulting, the world’s largest forensic accounting firm. Their expertise in asset recovery, international investigations, and financial forensics is expected to play a crucial role in tracing and repatriating stolen assets.

“We look forward to continuing conversations of Assets Recovery over the course of the next two weeks and working out a plan on how we can assist not only domestically in the investigation using our experience,” Durant said. But I think more importantly is how we can assist the Liberian government in its international efforts to recover funds and repatriate that to the country for the benefit of the people.”

Anthony echoed this sentiment, stressing the importance of conducting investigations in line with international standards. “Our role is to assist the Task Force in ensuring that the investigations are conducted thoroughly and fairly. Our goal is to help Liberia reclaim what rightfully belongs to its people.”

Despite the complexity of asset recovery, the Task Force remains resolute. More than 20 individuals have already been summoned for questioning, with additional inquiries expected as investigators build their cases. Martin urged the Liberian people to trust the process. “Our investigations are meticulous, and we will not rush to conclusions without solid evidence,” he said.

Beyond financial assets, the Task Force is scrutinizing real estate and other properties suspected of being acquired through illicit means. Officials will be assessed based on their earnings and asset ownership to detect discrepancies. “If your salary over the past six years does not justify the value of your assets, we will ask you to explain where the additional funds came from,” Martin warned.

With unwavering government backing and international collaboration, the Task Force aims to deliver tangible results. “The president has given us the political will to act, and we will see this through to the end,” Martin declared. “Liberia deserves justice, and we are committed to making that happen.”

As investigations unfold, the Liberian public is urged to remain patient and hopeful. The Asset Recovery Task Force is working tirelessly to ensure that stolen government assets are reclaimed and redirected for the benefit of all Liberians.

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In a strongly worded statement, the Task Force made it clear that continued non-compliance would result in full exposure and legal action. AREPT, which operates under Executive Order No. 145, says certain current officials are deliberately withholding crucial records related to government assets, a move it calls a direct obstruction of justice.

“No official, past or present, will be permitted to derail this critical national effort,” the statement declared. “Any individual found attempting to interfere with the retrieval of stolen assets will face the full force of the law.”

The warning comes amid an ongoing push to recover millions of dollars’ worth of state resources allegedly misappropriated by both former and sitting government officials.

Liberia’s government has long struggled with corruption and financial mismanagement, and President Joseph N. Boakai has made asset recovery a top priority, recently extending the Task Force’s mandate through Executive Order No. 145. The order reinforces AREPT’s authority to investigate, trace, and reclaim public funds and properties both domestically and abroad.

Despite this, AREPT says some officials are actively resisting the process by refusing to provide documentation of public assets. While the Task Force did not publicly name the ministries and agencies involved, it emphasized that failure to comply will not go unpunished.

“The era of impunity is over,” the statement continued. “Those who believe they can suppress evidence or manipulate the system to evade accountability will soon face justice.”

The Task Force has urged all government institutions to immediately submit the required records and cooperate fully. Officials who continue to obstruct the process, it warns, risk prosecution as the government moves forward with its efforts to restore accountability and recover stolen wealth.

With AREPT vowing to execute its mandate “without fear or favor,” Liberia’s anti-corruption drive appears to be entering a decisive phase—one that could see high-profile officials held to account for years of financial malpractice.

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The statement, released on December 24, 2024, aims to dispel allegations that the President’s comments condoned corruption.

The Context of the Remarks

According to the Executive Mansion, President Boakai’s speech at the 60th anniversary of Bong, Grand Gedeh, Lofa, and Nimba Counties acquiring county status was an impassioned call for national unity, ethical governance, and accountability. Speaking at Unification Park in Voinjama, Lofa County, the President reiterated his administration’s zero-tolerance policy toward corruption and emphasized the importance of using public resources for the benefit of the Liberian people.

The statement reads: “Contrary to recent claims, President Boakai’s remarks were not an endorsement of corruption but a clear denunciation of this vice and a call for integrity in public service and judicious use of public resources.”

Anti-Corruption Efforts Highlighted

The release outlined several anti-corruption initiatives launched by the Boakai administration this year, underscoring the president’s commitment to transparency and accountability:

• Anti-Corruption Audits: In February 2024, audits were commissioned for key government institutions, including the Central Bank of Liberia, the National Security Agency, and the Executive Protection Service, to address financial irregularities and ensure accountability.
• Suspension of Officials: In July 2024, Central Bank Governor Jolue Aloysius Tarlue was suspended over unauthorized loans and overspending. Similarly, senior officials at the Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC) were suspended in October 2024 pending investigations into financial misconduct by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC).
• Public Declarations: In August 2024, President Boakai warned newly commissioned officials against corruption, emphasizing that violators would face strict consequences.
• International Anti-Corruption Day: On December 9, 2024, the President declared International Anti-Corruption Day, using the occasion to raise awareness and advocate for ethical governance across the country.

Call for Accurate Context

The statement urged the public and media to consider the President’s words in their full and accurate context, rejecting what it described as politically motivated distortions. It added that President Boakai remains steadfast in his vision for ethical leadership and inclusive development in Liberia.

Reactions

Despite the clarification, the Executive Director of the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), Anderson Miamen, argues that the President’s remarks, whether misinterpreted or not, highlight a need for stronger and more consistent messaging on corruption. Activists have called for the administration to follow through with concrete actions to ensure accountability and rebuild public trust.

“The president can only regain public trust by taking concrete steps to fight against corruption because he has really not done much in the fight against corruption,” Miamen said. “That statement was embarrassing and undermines the efforts by anti-graft institutions like the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission in the fight against corruption.”

Many have also taken to social media to criticize the statement made by the president and the latest clarification of the mansion.

“You have to tell the public where in the statement was the distortion by playing the undistorted on in your possession so as to prove that the one in circulation is distorted,” said a Facebook. “It was better to have admitted that the statement was not his intent and that you wish to clarify.”

Others who support the government have also taken to social media to defend the President’s statement, with some officials using ChatGPT to interpret the controversial remarks.

The controversy underscores the critical importance of ethical governance as Liberia continues to grapple with systemic corruption. Though President Boakai’s administration has reiterated its commitment to addressing this issue and fostering good governance, many Liberians are now uncertain of this commitment.

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The statements, which many interpreted as condoning corruption, have raised serious questions about his administration’s commitment to tackling the pervasive issue.

Addressing the crowd in Lofa County, President Boakai stated, “This is your country. This is the only place nobody asks you why, I mean; nobody asks you why you are here. You are here because you belong here.

Let’s build this country. It has everything. So we want to encourage those who want to remain corrupt and steal your money, but I beg you, the money should be used to bless our people.”

Critics argue that the President’s comments effectively trivialize the seriousness of corruption and may even embolden corrupt practices by implying that stolen funds, if used for public benefit, are acceptable. The remarks have drawn comparisons to a similar statement by former Minister of State Nathaniel McGill during George Weah’s presidency. McGill, who faced widespread condemnation for his remarks, is now under U.S. sanctions for corruption.

Press Secretary Attempts to Defend President’s Remarks

In an attempt to contain the fallout, the President’s Press Secretary issued a statement defending the remarks, claiming they were taken out of context

“The explanation emphasized that President Boakai was addressing challenges in the counties and highlighting how corruption deprives citizens of development”, Press Secretary Kula Fofan Said. “He insisted that corruption kills development and that whoever is going to be corrupt, he’s going to take action against them. So his statement is in no way in support of any form of corruption,” the Press Secretary said.

Despite the clarification, many argue that the President’s choice of words reflects a casual attitude toward corruption, a damaging signal in a nation where systemic corruption has long undermined progress.

Public Backlash

“A sitting President and professed integrity champion encouraging his officials of government to steal and invest in Liberia or improve the lives of ordinary citizens? Anderson Miamen, Executive Director of Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia wondered. “This is so embarrassing and totally contrary to the president’s so-called anti-Corruption promises and commitments. I am seriously disappointed. CENTAL is extremely disappointed in the president’s statement. It represents business as usual and perhaps even worse.”

Others believe that the remarks are a tacit endorsement of corruption, provided the stolen resources are “used to bless the people.” Such rhetoric, critics say, undermines the rule of law and sets a dangerous precedent.

The controversy comes as President Boakai’s administration faces mounting criticism for its perceived inaction against officials accused of corruption. The lack of decisive action against such individuals is evidenced by the failure to reprimand officials in his Government who have violated anti corruption law by failing to declare their assets, income and liabilities with the Liberia Anti Corruption Commission with nearly one year into the administration.

As the nation grapples with the fallout from the President’s controversial remarks, many are questioning whether his administration is serious about addressing corruption. For a leader who has consistently declared a zero-tolerance stance on the issue, the ambiguity of his comments threatens to erode public trust and embolden those who exploit the system for personal gain.

Without swift and decisive action to clarify his stance and hold corrupt officials accountable, President Boakai risks being remembered as a leader who turned a blind eye to one of Liberia’s most pressing challenges.

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