By Precious D Freeman
The Executive Director of the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), Anderson Miamen, is urging the government to desist from supporting sanctioned officials for public offices.
“Corrupt leaders should have no place in our democracy. Those accused of grave acts of corruption who do not seek to exonerate themselves, but prioritize being elected to shield their alleged ill-gotten wealth should have no place in our elections. The onus is on Liberians to reject them at the polls and send a strong statement that they are ready to cleanse the public space of corrupt leaders and individuals,” he stated.
He added that the government should not promote and nurture corruption, but rather, hold officials accountable and give impetus to anti-corruption efforts.
According to him, CENTAL is deeply concerned about multiple developments and actions of the President, which tend to undermine the government’s own fight against corruption, as well as the efforts of development partners who are interested in seeing a more accountable and transparent Liberian society where public service is truly about the people and not otherwise.
“We cannot continue to have a culture of endless investigations into critical matters that border on public interest, national security, and the reputation of the State; therefore, we strongly encourage the President’s office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to complete and publish the investigative report so that the public has full information on what transpired,” he said.
“We are disappointed that President Weah continues to show limited commitment and attention to things that will help to strengthen the culture of accountability, transparency and integrity in Liberia” he added.
Making remarks over the weekend, during a press briefing in Monrovia, Anderson Miamen continued that Liberians need an institution with whom they can file complaints related to the conducts of public officials, in line with requirements of the Code of Conduct for Public Officials.
“We strongly urge the President to do the needful by fulfilling this legal requirement, which is an extremely important redress mechanism intended to deal with election and non-election related issues pertaining to the conducts and dealings of public officials,” he stated.
CENTAL Boss is also urging the President to ensure that the 2022 amendment to the Code of Conduct is printed into handbill.
The United States of America sanctioned six Liberian government officials for their involvement with significant acts of corruption that undermine Liberia’s democracy and peace and security.
They named the former Director of Passport and Visas, Andrew Wonplo; Senator Prince Y. Johnson; Senator Varney G. Sherman; the former Managing Director of the National Port Authority, Bill Tweahway; the former Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Nathaniel McGill and the former Solicitor General, Syrenus Cephas.
“In the press release publicizing their suspension, President Weah and his government promised to investigate them. However, after more than two years, only Mr. Andrew Wonplo has been taken to court in relation to passport fraud, as claimed by the United States Government. And sadly, government failed to prosecute the matter, leaving the court with no alternative but to have the case dismissed.”
“There is no information that the government has sought the support of their American counterpart to investigate and prosecute the concerned officials, much to the disappointment of many. Instead, rumors have emerged, followed by credible media reports, that four of the six officials, Johnson, Sherman, Twehway, and McGill are contesting for Senatorial positions,” CENTAL stated.
Miamen is deeply appalled by the recent decision of the Coalition for Democratic Change to nominate both McGill and Tweahway as their candidates in the ensuing October 2023 senatorial elections in Margibi and Rivercess Counties, respectively, when they should be pushing for their investigation and prosecution to exonerate themselves.
“We will similarly be appalled if other political parties proceed to endorse Senators Johnson and Sherman as their candidates. Such decisions are ill-advised and uncharacteristic of political parties that should be leading by example to set very high standards for others in society to emulate,” he expressed.
“We acknowledge the rights of the sanctioned officials to due process and to aspire for public elected offices, as enshrined in the constitution of the Republic of Liberia. However, the timing is inappropriate,” he concluded.
