Monrovia – President Joseph Boakai has sparked outrage after calling on officials engaged in corruption to at least invest their ill-gotten wealth in developing Liberia.
By Gerald C. [email protected]
Speaking at an event in his home county of Lofa, President Boakai made a shocking statement, 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 similar controversial comments made by former Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Nathaniel McGill, in August 2022. At the time, McGill stated that looting government coffers and investing the proceeds in personal infrastructure projects within Liberia was “a good thing.” His comments, made to a group of women in Bong County, sparked widespread condemnation, including from President Boakai’s Unity Party, then serving as the main opposition.
Now, less than a year into his presidency, President Boakai appears to have echoed the same sentiment, drawing criticism for seemingly downplaying the gravity of corruption.
Liberia is widely regarded as one of the most corrupt countries in the world. Transparency International’s 2023 Corruption Perception Index (CPI) reported that Liberia’s score has declined by seven points, from 32 in 2018 to 25 in 2023. The CPI measures perceptions of public sector corruption on a scale from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean), with Liberia’s ranking reflecting a grim picture of governance.
The pervasive corruption in Liberia’s public sector has had devastating consequences for ordinary citizens, with mismanagement and theft of public resources crippling essential services such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure development. Critics argue that President Boakai’s comments are not only tone-deaf but also embolden corrupt officials to act with impunity.
“This is not the message we expected from a president who campaigned on promises of transparency and accountability,” said Emmanuel King, a Boakai’s supporter. “Such remarks undermine the fight against corruption and send a dangerous signal to public officials.”
President Boakai’s statement comes amid mounting reports of corruption within his administration. As the government grapples with these allegations, many are questioning whether the president’s comments reflect a broader reluctance to tackle corruption head-on.
The president’s office has yet to issue a clarification or response to the backlash, leaving many Liberians frustrated and demanding accountability. For a nation that has struggled for decades to combat corruption, these remarks are a stark reminder of the challenges that lie ahead in fostering good governance and restoring public trust.
