The Chairperson of the Office of Ombudsman, Finley Karngar, has revealed that they are in discussions with the Executive to organize a symbolic signing ceremony for the national code of conduct.
The Liberian Code of Conduct for Public Officials, under section 5.2, establishes general principles and specific guidelines for officials, candidates, and appointees of the government to publicly demonstrate commitment to the standards outlined.
This section mandates that public officials sign documents or authorize actions within their official capacity and in accordance with assigned responsibilities.
They are accountable for ensuring compliance with laws, regulations, and ethical standards through their signatures, particularly regarding misuse of authority, fraud, or other illegal activities.
Speaking at a recent press conference, Cllr. Karngar said since the 2024 amendment of the code of conduct, this section has not been consistently adhered to by past administrations and seeks to rectify this by engaging in discussions with the President to conduct a national symbolic signing ceremony.
Accordingly, the ceremony will ensure that President Joseph Boakai, along with other government officials, publicly commits to the principles and standards outlined in the Code of Conduct.
Karngar emphasized that while the code does not specify a framework for when such signings should occur, they have developed a code of conduct signing page for the President and his officials to use.
“This symbolic signing ceremony by the President will set an example for all public officials and government employees to commit themselves to,” he stated.
Meanwhile, the Ombudsman’s office oversees and supports adherence to the code of conduct by enforcing it, providing oversight, evaluating performance, and investigating violations. To fulfill these responsibilities, they collaborate with key government bodies the Executive, Judiciary, and Legislative branches as well as civil society and private entities that interact with the Liberian government.
Chairman Karngar revealed that since assuming office, they have focused on public awareness and staff training to ensure understanding and compliance with the code of conduct.
“We are in discussions with the Executive Mansion to organize what we call the national code of conduct symbolic signing ceremony, where we hope the President will be the first to sign onto the code of conduct,” he concluded.
