Monrovia, Liberia—The Government of President Joseph Nyumah is in gross violation of the 2014 Code of Conduct Law, according to a press statement released by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC).
Part 10, Section 1 of the Code of Conduct Law mandates every public official and government employee involved in decision-making affecting contracting, tendering, procurement, and issuance of licenses to declare their income, assets, and liabilities.
This declaration must occur before taking office, every three years, upon promotion, transfer to another public office, and upon retirement or resignation.
In a statement released by LACC Executive Chairperson Cllr. Alexandra Zoe, it was revealed that only 26.5% of public officials participated in the recently concluded asset declaration exercise, adhering to the July 31, 2024 deadline.
This low compliance rate starkly contrasts with the government’s anti-corruption campaign promises, raising serious concerns about its commitment to transparency and accountability.
According to the LACC report, only 26 out of 73 elected Representatives and 12 out of 30 Senators declared their assets within the stipulated period.
The Executive branch fares no better; out of 1,281 officials required to declare their assets, only 322 complied, leaving 959 non-compliant.
In the Judiciary, the situation is even more dismal, with only 28 out of 333 officials, including judges, having declared their assets.
These figures paint a bleak picture of the government’s dedication to fighting corruption.
Despite extensive media campaigns and public engagement efforts over several months, 73.5% of appointed officials and employees under the “Rescue Mission” government have failed to comply with the law.
As the public’s demand for a crackdown on corruption grows louder, the LACC boss has vowed to request staff lists from government institutions to cross-check against current records.
Cllr. Zoe emphasized that asset declaration is a vital tool in the fight against corruption, enhancing public trust and holding public officials accountable.
In her press conference at LACC headquarters, Cllr. Zoe highlighted the broad non-compliance across all three branches of government. She stressed that asset declaration is essential for preventing and detecting illicit enrichment, conflicts of interest, and other forms of corruption.
In the Legislature, compliance is particularly poor. Of the 73 Representatives, only 26 have declared their assets, leaving 47 non-compliant. The situation is even worse among the administrative staff of the House of Representatives, with only one out of 56 staff members complying with the declaration requirement.
The Executive Branch, including officials appointed by President Boakai, shows a similar pattern of non-compliance. Out of 1,281 officials and employees, only 322 have declared their assets, while 959 remain in defiance of the law. Notably, 84 employees who were not required to declare their assets did so voluntarily, demonstrating their commitment to transparency.
The Judiciary, responsible for interpreting the law, also shows a troubling lack of compliance. Out of 333 officials required to declare their assets, only 28 have done so, including 7 judges and 21 administrative staff. This leaves 305 officials and employees in the Judiciary who have not complied with the asset declaration requirement.
The LACC’s findings indicate that many government officials and employees remain non-compliant despite the commission’s efforts to raise awareness and engage with various ministries, agencies, and commissions. Since May 2024, the LACC has been actively promoting the importance of asset declaration, yet the response has been dishearteningly inadequate.
The failure to comply with the Assets Declaration Law by a significant majority of government officials undermines public trust and the effectiveness of anti-corruption measures. Asset declaration is essential for promoting transparency, preventing corruption, and ensuring accountability among public officials.
The LACC’s report underscores the urgent need for stricter enforcement and greater political will to uphold the principles of integrity and accountability within the government. The non-compliance presents a significant challenge to the fight against corruption in Liberia.
The LACC says remains committed to continuing its efforts to promote compliance and hold non-compliant officials accountable.
However, the current state of non-compliance signals a critical need for a more robust and unwavering approach to enforcing asset declaration laws.
