The home of the presidency became an interesting scene when scores of citizens from civil society were seen chanting for President Joseph Boakai to take decisive action regarding violations of laws related to corruption. This comes just days after the Liberian leader had left the UN General Assembly.
The protesters, all from civil society, could not hold back their frustration as they demanded the government take decisive steps in addressing corruption. Civil society organizations such as the Centre for Accountability and Transparency (CENTAL) raised their voices, calling attention to the government’s inability to fight corruption.
The concerned group highlighted several issues that need to be addressed, stating that if taken seriously, these actions would reduce the risk of corruption in Liberia. According to them, President Joseph Boakai should either take action against officials who have failed to declare their assets or demand that they do so. They emphasized that doing so, as President Boakai has done, speaks volumes about the fight against corruption.
The group of aggrieved Liberians also mentioned that President Boakai needs to decide what to do regarding the US$100K luxury car purchase saga. Speaking to the press, a leading member of the group stated that purchasing a luxurious vehicle costing about US$100K is counterproductive to good governance.
The group believes that the President is ignoring corruption-related matters confronting his administration, adding that there is a need for action. CENTAL’s advocate told reporters that corruption should not be a custom that Liberians should adopt as a way of life. He believes the President must fulfill his promise made during the 2023 general election to fight against corruption, as doing so will help build his legacy as a good leader.
This comes in the wake of recent speculations that the President is about to make drastic decisions by shifting and removing some officials who have not performed since taking office. The speculations have been met with enthusiasm, as many believe this is the right approach in the fight against corruption.
