MONROVIA — President Joseph Boakai Wednesday suspended more than 450 government officials for failing to comply with his mandatory asset declaration requirement.
By Selma Lomax [email protected]
The announcement, made public on February 12, marks a significant step in the president’s efforts to combat corruption and reinforce transparency in the public sector.
The suspensions followed a report from the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), which revealed that these officials did not submit their asset declarations.
Among the suspended officials are prominent figures, including the entire acting management team of the Liberia Electricity Corporation (LEC). Interim Managing Director Thomas Gonkerwon and deputies Eric A. Fredericks, Emile Karnga, and Dele Shobayo were sidelined as the country faces an energy crisis, worsened by dwindling water levels at the Mount Coffee Hydropower Plant, which supplies much of the country’s electricity.
The list of suspended officials spans various sectors, including education, health, and tourism. Notable names include Eugene Fahngon, Director General of the Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS), Dr. Jarso Jallah, Minister of Education, Dr. Louise Kpoto, Minister of Health, Mohamed Maladho Bah, Presidential Special Envoy on Investment, and Christopher Hages Onanuga, Ambassador-at-Large for Tourism.
Bah and Onanuga, were seen at the LACC’s office Wednesday, making attempts to fulfill the asset declaration requirement, despite the suspension.
Legal Justification and Presidential Support
In June last year, President Joseph Boakai and Vice President Jeremiah Koung took the unusual step of releasing partial details of their asset declarations in response to growing public pressure to fulfill a major campaign promise. Barely six months into their administration, the offices of the president and vice president issued statements disclosing these details—even though the Code of Conduct does not require public officials to reveal their assets.
By making their asset declarations public, the president and vice president aimed to boost transparency and set an example for other public officials. While some officials followed their lead, hundreds of appointed officials have refused to do so. Over 400 officials—including those working directly at the Executive Mansion—ignored even a presidential directive to comply.
Now, eight months later, President Boakai has had enough. In a surprise move, he suspended all those who have not complied with the asset declaration requirements.
The Executive Mansion defended the suspensions, citing Article 2, Section 10.2(h) of Liberia’s 2014 Code of Conduct, which mandates that all public officials declare their assets. In November 2024, President Boakai issued a directive giving officials a 10-day grace period to submit their disclosures.
“The President is committed to ensuring good governance and restoring public trust in Liberia’s institutions,” the Executive Mansion said. However, critics have raised concerns that the timing of the suspensions, amid an ongoing national energy crisis, could further destabilize the already fragile sector.
Consequences and Civil Service Agency’s Response
Meanwhile, the Civil Service Agency (CSA) announced on the same day that officials who remain non-compliant with the asset declaration law would face salary freezes for the month of February.
The freeze will persist until the officials submit their declarations, underscoring the seriousness with which the government is addressing this issue. “This measure is intended to ensure that all officials of government adhere to the necessary regulations and maintain the trust placed in us by the public,” the CSA’s directive stated. Suspended officials were also instructed to immediately hand over any government assets they controlled to the appropriate authorities.
The President’s move has not gone without criticism.
Civil society advocate Abdullah Kiatamba, while supportive of the President’s stance on corruption, raised concerns about the systemic challenges some officials face in submitting their asset declarations.
“In rural areas, infrastructure is lacking, internet access is limited, and awareness is low,” Kiatamba said. He pointed out that these barriers could make it difficult for some officials to comply, even if they wished to do so. Kiatamba called for solutions to address these logistical hurdles to ensure the law was applied fairly.
On the other hand, there are those who feel that the suspensions do not go far enough. Morlu Morlu, Chairman of the Solidarity and Trust for a New Day (STAND), criticized the move as insufficient. “The failure to declare assets wasn’t a simple oversight—it was an intentional act of defiance,” Morlu argued.
He contended that a one-month suspension was too lenient and allowed suspended officials to cover up potentially corrupt activities. “Even if they comply now, it’s too little, too late,” Morlu asserted.
Errors in the List and Public Outcry
The LACC’s list of suspended officials has come under scrutiny due to several errors. Some individuals were incorrectly listed in positions they did not hold.
Notably, Roger Swy Domah, a board member of the Special Economic Zone Authority, was erroneously listed as Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Health. Similarly, Deputy Minister of Health Martha Morris was erroneously identified as an Assistant Minister.
At the same time, Zorzor City Mayor Yanquoi Dolo, who had filed his asset declaration in 2024, was mistakenly included on the list of violators.
Dolo, who publicly denied any wrongdoing, expressed frustration over the confusion. “I declared my assets and liabilities in 2024, right after my appointment,” Dolo said.
Robell Gbeintor, one of the affected individuals, took to social media to protest her inclusion on the list, highlighting the inaccuracies in her position and gender. “Whoever put my name on that non-compliance list, please take it off,” she wrote.
Impact and Future Outlook
While the errors in the list are concerning, the broader message of accountability remains clear. The suspensions highlight the Boakai administration’s commitment to enforcing transparency and ensuring public officials meet their legal obligations.
The fight against corruption in Liberia is far from over, and these suspensions represent just one chapter in the country’s ongoing efforts toward a more accountable government.
