Liberia’s President, Joseph Boakai, has taken decisive action against corruption by establishing a task force mandated to crack down on illicit practices and recover misappropriated state assets.
In an executive order, President Boakai directed the task force to identify and prosecute any senior officials, past or present, implicated in corrupt activities.
The order emphasized the importance of reclaiming assets “wrongfully acquired at the expense of the government and people of Liberia.”
President Boakai, driven by a commitment to quell the pervasive issue of corruption, declared that the return of unlawfully acquired assets was imperative to safeguard the interests of the nation.
Furthermore, individuals who unlawfully acquired government assets are to be compelled to return them, and those residing outside Liberia suspected of diverting public assets may face extradition.
The president allocated necessary funding to the task force, signaling an immediate commencement of its operations.
This decisive move follows President Boakai’s campaign promise to combat corruption, a commitment that resonated with voters and contributed to his election victory over former President George Weah. Weah’s presidency was marred by accusations of corruption and faced scrutiny for the excesses of high-ranking officials.
In his inaugural address in January, President Boakai called upon former officials to promptly surrender government assets in their possession, emphasising the urgency of addressing corruption without delay.
The establishment of the task force underscores the new administration’s commitment to upholding transparency, accountability, and combating corruption in Liberia.
