Liberia: President Boakai Shockingly Encourages Corrupt Public Officers to Make investments Stolen Cash in Liberia

Monrovia – President Joseph Boakai has sparked outrage after calling on officers engaged in corruption to at the least make investments their ill-gotten wealth in creating Liberia.

By Gerald C. [email protected]

Speaking at an occasion in his dwelling county of Lofa, President Boakai made a surprising assertion, saying: “So, we want to encourage those who want to remain corrupt and steal money, I beg, the money should be used to bless our people.”
The remarks have drawn parallels to related controversial feedback made by former Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Nathaniel McGill, in August 2022. At the time, McGill acknowledged that looting authorities coffers and investing the proceeds in private infrastructure initiatives inside Liberia was “a good thing.” His feedback, made to a gaggle of girls in Bong County, sparked widespread condemnation, together with from President Boakai’s Unity Party, then serving as the principle opposition.

Now, lower than a 12 months into his presidency, President Boakai seems to have echoed the identical sentiment, drawing criticism for seemingly downplaying the gravity of corruption.

Liberia is broadly considered probably the most corrupt nations on the earth. Transparency International’s 2023 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) reported that Liberia’s rating has declined by seven factors, from 32 in 2018 to 25 in 2023. The CPI measures perceptions of public sector corruption on a scale from 0 (extremely corrupt) to 100 (very clear), with Liberia’s rating reflecting a grim image of governance.

The pervasive corruption in Liberia’s public sector has had devastating penalties for abnormal residents, with mismanagement and theft of public assets crippling important providers reminiscent of healthcare, training, and infrastructure growth. Critics argue that President Boakai’s feedback usually are not solely tone-deaf but in addition embolden corrupt officers to behave with impunity.

“This is not the message we expected from a president who campaigned on promises of transparency and accountability,” stated Emmanuel King, a Boakai’s supporter. “Such remarks undermine the fight against corruption and send a dangerous signal to public officials.”

President Boakai’s assertion comes amid mounting stories of corruption inside his administration. As the federal government grapples with these allegations, many are questioning whether or not the president’s feedback mirror a broader reluctance to sort out corruption head-on.

The president’s workplace has but to situation a clarification or response to the backlash, leaving many Liberians annoyed and demanding accountability. For a nation that has struggled for many years to fight corruption, these remarks are a stark reminder of the challenges that lie forward in fostering good governance and restoring public belief.