— Demands Greater Transparency and Accountability in Asset Disclosure Regime
By Amos Harris
MONROVIA — The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has called on President Joseph N. Boakai to take decisive action against government officials who are refusing to comply with the country’s asset declaration laws. The organization is demanding the immediate dismissal of these officials, stating that it’s a critical step toward strengthening Liberia’s anti-corruption efforts and promoting a culture of transparency in public service.
At a press conference in Monrovia, CENTAL criticized the ongoing failure of several high-ranking officials, including Supreme Court justices and lawmakers, to declare their assets, incomes, and liabilities as required by Liberia’s 2014 Code of Conduct for Public Officials. The group stressed that asset declaration is a fundamental tool for curbing corruption, boosting transparency, and rebuilding public trust in government institutions.
“In a nation striving for good governance, adherence to the asset declaration requirement is not a choice but a legal obligation,” CENTAL said. “This singular act of disclosure prevents illicit enrichment and ensures accountability by those entrusted with public power.”
The organization acknowledged the progress made under President Boakai’s leadership, noting that the president, vice president, speaker, president pro tempore, and officials from agencies like the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) have fully complied. However, CENTAL highlighted recent data from the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), which shows that a significant number of officials have still not declared their assets.
In particular, Cllr. Findley D. Karngar, Chairperson of the Office of the Ombudsman, recently recommended sanctions against four of the five Supreme Court justices—outgoing Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene G. Yuoh, Justice Yussif D. Kaba, Justice Jamesetta H. Wolokolie, and Justice Ceaineh D. Clinton Johnson—for failing to declare their assets. Additionally, 29 lawmakers—17 Representatives and 12 Senators—were named for non-compliance with the Code of Conduct.
CENTAL expressed deep disappointment that officials who swore to uphold Liberia’s laws are themselves in violation. “It is disheartening that lawmakers, who are the very architects of these laws, and Justices, who interpret and demand enforcement, are blatantly ignoring them,” the statement read. The organization referenced a landmark 2017 Supreme Court ruling in the Polson-Mappy V. Republic of Liberia case, where the court underscored the critical role of the Ombudsman in enforcing the Code of Conduct. “Nearly a decade later, it is alarming that the same Supreme Court finds itself on the wrong side of a law it once robustly defended,” CENTAL lamented.
In light of these findings, CENTAL called on the Legislature to fulfill its oversight responsibilities by ensuring its members comply and pressing for sanctions against those who continue to defy the law. The group also urged the majority of lawmakers who have declared their assets to champion stricter enforcement measures against their non-compliant colleagues.
Additionally, CENTAL raised concerns about the lack of public updates regarding the status of 457 appointed officials whose salaries and benefits were suspended by President Boakai in February 2025 for failing to declare their assets. “There has been no public update on whether these officials have complied and returned to their positions. This opacity undermines public confidence in the enforcement of integrity laws,” the group stated.
To address this, CENTAL is demanding that the LACC publish a comprehensive report on the affected officials to clarify whether they have adhered to the president’s directives. The organization believes such transparency will reinforce the credibility of the asset declaration process and deter future violations.
In its concluding remarks, CENTAL urged President Boakai to escalate actions against defiant officials by moving from suspensions to outright dismissals. “Those who persist in disregarding the asset declaration law should be dismissed to demonstrate that impunity will not be tolerated in this government,” the organization asserted. CENTAL also recommended that the LACC not only collect asset declarations but also actively verify them promptly to ensure that disclosures are accurate and meaningful.
The organization reaffirmed its commitment to working with the government, civil society, and development partners to strengthen Liberia’s integrity institutions and promote a culture of accountability across all branches of government.
Comments are closed.