Political activist Moses Uneh Yahmia has issued a fervent appeal to the Government of Liberia, specifically urging President Joseph Boakai to take decisive action against corrupt officials who have embezzled and misappropriated public funds for personal gain.
Yahmia emphasizes that corruption is a significant barrier to Liberia’s growth and development.
The political activist call comes in response to recent audit reports from the General Auditing Commission (GAC), which have highlighted extensive financial mismanagement within the Executive Protection Service (EPS).
According to the GAC report, the EPS management made payments totaling over US$24 million and L$621 million for goods and services without adequate documentation, including payment vouchers, delivery notes, checks, and cash invoices, to validate these expenditures.
Additionally, the report reveals that US$126,680 deducted from the salaries and benefits of absent and suspended officers was not remitted to the government’s consolidated account.
The GAC has recommended that the EPS management account for these funds and forwarded the report to the Public Accounts Committee of the Legislature for further review and action.
“We commend the General Auditing Commission for its excellent work in producing the audit report on the Executive Protection Service,” Yahmia stated.
“The GAC has done its duty. It is now the responsibility of the Legislature and the Executive to exercise strong political will to hold those implicated in the report accountable. The people of Liberia deserve nothing less than the investigation and prosecution of the alleged perpetrators.”
Yahmia argues that President Boakai, who campaigned on a platform of accountability, must ensure that those who have plundered the nation’s treasury are brought to justice.
“President Boakai put accountability at the center of his campaign for the presidency,” Yahmai asserted. “He owes it to the people to ensure that those who looted the treasury while the masses suffer in poverty and their potential is sapped by poor infrastructure, a failing education system, and a deficient healthcare system are prosecuted.”
The activist’s plea underscores the pervasive nature of corruption in Liberia and its detrimental effects on the country’s development.
Corruption not only drains public resources but also undermines public trust in government institutions and stifles economic progress.
Activist Moses Yahmia believes that prosecuting corrupt officials is essential to restoring public confidence and ensuring that public funds are used for the benefit of all Liberians.
The GAC’s findings have sparked widespread outrage among Liberians, who are calling for immediate action to address the issue of corruption.
The report indicates that a few top officials of the previous CDC-led government used the security apparatus to siphon off millions of dollars from the treasury illegally.
This blatant misuse of public funds has exacerbated the country’s economic woes and left many citizens struggling to make ends meet.
Yahmia’s call to action is a rallying cry for all Liberians to demand accountability from their leaders.
It is a reminder that corruption is not a victimless crime but one that affects every citizen, particularly the most vulnerable.
By prosecuting those responsible for financial mismanagement, the government can take a crucial step toward eradicating corruption and promoting a culture of transparency and accountability.
In conclusion, Moses Uneh Yahmai’s impassioned plea for President Joseph Boakai to prosecute corrupt officials is a critical step toward addressing the deep-seated issue of corruption in Liberia.
The recent audit report by the GAC has laid bare the extent of financial mismanagement within the EPS, and it is now up to the government to act decisively.
Liberians deserve a government that is accountable and committed to using public resources for the common good.
The fight against corruption is far from over, but with strong leadership and public support, it is a battle that can be won.
