By Precious D. Freeman
A coalition of civil society organizations, supported by the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), has submitted a formal petition to President Joseph Boakai, calling for immediate action on governance and anti-corruption reforms in Liberia.
The Joint Civil Society Anti-Corruption Initiative (JOSCAI), comprised of ten community-based organizations and seventy individual petitioners, presented the petition in response to what they described as pervasive corruption undermining the country’s development.
They highlighted that despite Liberia’s abundant natural resources, widespread corruption has left many citizens in poverty.
The petition underscores that previous efforts to combat corruption, such as the establishment of key anti-graft institutions and the signing of international frameworks like the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, have not yielded significant results.
It points to persistent challenges, including inadequate enforcement of anti-corruption laws and a lack of political will to address allegations against public officials.
Key demands from JOSCAI include: Operationalize the Witness Protection Unit to safeguard those who testify against corrupt officials, suspending the 959 public officials who have failed to declare their assets, as reported by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission.
They continued, “Remove the statute of limitations on corruption cases, currently set at five years, to ensure accountability, increase funding for anti-corruption institutions to strengthen their capacity to combat fraud and waste. Ensure a holistic fight against corruption that holds all individuals accountable, irrespective of their political affiliations.”
The petition further emphasized that timely and decisive actions are essential for restoring public trust in governance and accountability in Liberia.
JOSCAI believes that the effective application of anti-corruption laws will lead to better management of public resources and prioritize citizens’ needs.
As the petition was submitted, the civil society groups expressed hope for President Boakai’s cooperation in these crucial reforms; marking a significant step in the ongoing fight against corruption in Liberia.
