President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, once a vocal critic of corruption and a champion of good governance, has ignited a national debate with his recent statement urging corrupt officials to use stolen public funds to “bless our people.”
Speaking during a public address, President Boakai, who ascended to power on a platform of anti-corruption and transparency, said: “We want to encourage those who want to remain corrupt and steal money; I beg y’all, the money should be used to bless our people.”
The remarks come amid Liberia’s ongoing struggle with systemic corruption, reflected in its 2024 Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index ranking of 145 out of 180 countries, with a score of 25 out of 100 a stark indicator of entrenched governance challenges.
Marking World Anti-Corruption Day on December 9, Anderson Miamen, Executive Director of the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), criticized the Boakai administration for what he described as “pampering corruption.”
Miamen pointed to Liberia’s persistent culture of impunity, insufficient funding for integrity institutions, and lack of political will as critical barriers to progress in the anti-corruption fight.
“If the fight against corruption must succeed,” Miamen stressed, “the President must lead by example and set a very high standard for others to follow.”
He urged President Boakai to take bold and decisive action to reverse Liberia’s downward trajectory in governance and accountability.
President Boakai’s statement has drawn comparisons to controversial remarks made by Senator Nathaniel McGill (Margibi County) during his tenure as Minister of State for Presidential Affairs in 2022.
At the time, McGill defended the misuse of public funds, stating: “Even if I was stealing the money and giving it to the Liberian people, that’s a good thing I’m doing. At least I’m not stealing it and carrying it to Europe.”
The similarity between these comments has fueled public skepticism about the commitment of Liberia’s political leadership to addressing corruption.
The President’s remarks have sparked intense debate across social media platforms, public forums, and among opposition leaders.
Critics argue that such statements undermine anti-corruption efforts, embolden corrupt officials, and send a damaging message to the international community and development partners.
Analysts believe that if President Boakai does not clarify or retract his statement, it could erode public trust in his administration’s anti-corruption agenda and damage Liberia’s reputation on the global stage.
As Liberia grapples with systemic corruption and the pressing need for economic recovery, all eyes remain on President Boakai to see whether his administration will take concrete steps to match words with actions in the fight against corruption.
