LIBERIA’S President Joseph Boakai has taken a significant step towards fulfilling his electoral pledge to combat corruption by initiating audits of three vital government institutions, including the central bank. This move, announced by the presidency on Thursday, underscores Boakai’s commitment to enhancing transparency and accountability in the country.
Boakai, who emerged victorious over his predecessor George Weah in the November elections, secured his mandate on the promise of addressing corruption and enhancing the quality of life for Liberians. This anti-corruption drive builds on previous efforts, which included an audit of the former government.
In an official statement, the presidency revealed that Boakai has tasked Liberia’s General Auditing Commission with conducting audits of the central bank, the national security agency, and the executive protection service. The audits will scrutinise the period from 2018 to 2023, with the expectation of delivering findings within three months.
According to the statement, this initiative marks ‘the beginning of a holistic audit of government ministries and agencies,’ aligning with Boakai’s overarching goal of combating graft and ensuring transparency in governance.
The response from the central bank regarding this audit initiative remains pending, as they did not immediately comment on the matter.
This move follows actions taken in August 2022 by Weah’s administration, which saw the suspension of three government officials sanctioned by the United States for their alleged involvement in public corruption.
President Boakai’s decision to commission audits of key government institutions reflects a concerted effort to fulfil his promise of rooting out corruption and fostering transparency in Liberia’s governance structures.