Transparency International’s 2023 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) has again spotlighted Liberia’s ongoing struggle with corruption. The report, released earlier this month, assigned Liberia a score of 25 out of 100, placing the country 145th out of 180 nations surveyed. This score marks a one-point decline from 2022, underscoring the entrenched nature of corruption in Liberian society and governance.
Despite over two decades of efforts to address systemic corruption, Liberia remains one of the most politically corrupt nations globally. Corruption is not explicitly defined as a punishable crime under Liberian law, a legal gap that experts argue exacerbates the problem.
The fight against corruption gained prominence during President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s administration, which began in 2006. Declaring corruption as “the major public enemy,” Sirleaf launched several anti-corruption initiatives, including establishing the Liberian Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC). However, critics argue her government lacked the political will to address the issue comprehensively.
Numerous instances of corruption occurred under Sirleaf’s tenure. Senior government officials, including the Auditor General and heads of various agencies, were dismissed or suspended for misconduct. Judges, police officers, and other public officials were often implicated in bribery and extortion scandals. Despite these revelations, very few cases were prosecuted, and even fewer resulted in convictions.
In her final State of the Nation address in 2017, Sirleaf admitted that corruption was too pervasive for her administration to eliminate, a sobering acknowledgment of the challenge ahead.
Under President Joseph Nyuma Boakai’s administration, Liberia’s corruption crisis remains dire. The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has called on Boakai to take bold actions to reverse the nation’s declining CPI score. CENTAL emphasized that while the score reflects Liberia’s deeply entrenched corruption, it also presents transformative leadership opportunities.
Corruption has permeated all levels of Liberian society. A 2013 Human Rights Watch report highlighted police misconduct as a critical issue. Victims reported being forced to pay bribes for essential services, such as filing a case or retrieving confiscated goods. Police officers, in turn, described inadequate salaries and systemic pressure to bribe superiors for promotions, creating a vicious cycle of exploitation.
The education sector is equally compromised. Cases of “sex for grades,” teacher absenteeism, and embezzlement are widely reported. Efforts to combat these abuses, such as anonymous reporting systems, have had limited impact due to a pervasive culture of silence.
Transparency International’s CPI report not only exposes Liberia’s governance failures but also places the nation’s struggles in a global context. While the average score for sub-Saharan Africa is 33, Liberia’s 25 ranks far below its regional peers. The country’s performance contrasts starkly with that of Botswana, which leads the region with a score of 71.
The implications of persistent corruption extend beyond reputation. Mismanagement and abuse of public resources undermine Liberia’s ability to attract foreign investment, deliver essential services, and foster sustainable development.
Experts argue that tackling Liberia’s corruption crisis requires a multifaceted approach. Strengthening the LACC with adequate funding, personnel, and prosecutorial independence is essential. Laws explicitly criminalizing corruption must be enacted, and mechanisms for holding officials accountable should be reinforced.
Moreover, the government must actively engage civil society organizations and the international community to promote transparency and accountability. CENTAL’s call to action echoes the sentiments of many Liberians who believe President Boakai’s administration has a unique opportunity to lead the country toward meaningful reform.
A political commentator and vocal critic of bad governance and corruption told Verity that Liberia stands at a critical juncture as Liberia commemorates International Anti-Corruption Day. According to Roosevelt Sackor, the path forward requires unwavering commitment, bold leadership, and systemic reforms to dismantle the structures that enable corruption. He added, “For Liberia to rise above its current challenges, the fight against corruption must go beyond rhetoric and translate into tangible action.”
