Edward Wade Appleton, the Ambassador Designate to Japan, has responded to recent media reports that inaccurately portray him as a government official failing to comply with asset declaration requirements mandated by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC).
In a statement issued Thursday, February 13, Ambassador Designate Appleton categorically refuted allegations of non-compliance regarding the declaration of his income, assets, and liabilities.
“While I remain fully committed to meeting all statutory obligations, I wish to clarify that I am still awaiting confirmation by the plenary of the Liberian Senate,” he stated.
“It is therefore surprising and unfortunate that certain media outlets have included my name among those accused of non-compliance when my confirmation process has not yet been finalized.”
Ambassador Appleton highlighted his proactive steps to address the matter, including direct engagement with the LACC to resolve the misclassification of his status.
He noted that the LACC expressed surprise at the erroneous reports and assured him that a clarification would soon be issued to address the misinformation, which appears to stem from a misinterpretation of the President’s recent directive.
The Ambassador Designate called on media practitioners to prioritize accuracy and thorough fact-checking in their reporting. “In today’s age of fast-paced information sharing, the importance of accuracy cannot be overstated. I urge members of the media to verify their sources and ensure the integrity of the information they publish,” he said.
The matter arises from the President’s directive, issued on November 27, 2024, which provided a ten-day grace period for compliance with asset declaration requirements, as outlined in Article 2, Section 10.2(h) of the Act to Amend Section 5.2 and Section 10.2 of the 2014 Code of Conduct.
President Boakai on Wednesday, February 12, suspended over 400 government officials who failed to declare their assets.
The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) found that 457 officials, including the budget ministers, heads of state-owned enterprises, agency, and ambassadors, failed to submit their asset declarations before the November deadline mandated by the code of conduct for state officials.
Notable names include Dr. Ivan Fayeah Carmanor, Chairman of the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC); Augustine B.M. Johnson, Deputy Managing Director of Technical Services at the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC); Dr. Alfredson Taikerweah, President of Bong County Technical College.
Others include Dr. Al-Hassan Conteh, Liberia’s Ambassador to the United States; Sheikh Al Moustapha Kouyateh Ambassador-at-Large; and Christopher Hayes Onanuga, Ambassador-at-Large for Tourism.
Ambassador Designate Appleton expressed confidence in his forthcoming confirmation and reiterated his unwavering commitment to upholding the highest standards of transparency and governance.
