Monrovia – Amid allegations that the General Auditing Commission (GAC) deliberately removed audit reports covering most of the Unity Party’s 12-year reign under former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and for Vice President (now president) Nyuma Boakai, the commission has denied these claims.
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh – [email protected]
GAC Deputy Auditor Winsley Nanka, alongside the GAC IT crew, explained that the website is being updated for easy access. “The audit reports are available, but the IT department is sorting them for easy access. We do not hide audit reports. Our task is to conduct audits and submit findings to the Legislature. It is the Legislature that acts on audits,” said Nanka.
Concerns arose when audit reports covering 2012 to 2017 were found missing from the GAC website, leading some to accuse the GAC of deliberately removing the reports to shield President Boakai and officials from the previous Unity Party administration.
In his address on Monday, former President Weah accused the Boakai administration of cherry-picking to target only his officials. He stated, “To utilize its new powers to fight corruption effectively, the LACC must treat all audit reports from the General Auditing Commission (GAC) equally, without cherry-picking, to ensure fairness and transparency,” Weah said. “Skipping previous GAC audit reports and cherry-picking to target only officials of my administration undermines the fight against corruption, and the Liberian people must see such a move as a weaponization of the LACC to witch-hunt officials of my administration.”
The GAC reiterated that its IT department is sorting all reports to ensure they are accessible on the website. The commission has faced scrutiny over its recent audit reports of several government institutions, the latest being the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL).
The CBL accused the GAC of refusing to accept supporting documents as part of its response to the GAC audits. However, the GAC, through its Auditor General, stated that the CBL was given ample time but failed to submit the documents.
In a compliance audit report, the GAC detailed significant financial irregularities at the CBL from January 1, 2018, to December 31, 2023. The findings highlighted a range of compliance issues affecting the bank’s operations, including unauthorized financing activities. Notably, the GAC identified a $50.2 million disbursement to the Government of Liberia’s payroll account on November 30, 2023, and an additional $32.85 million on December 23, 2023, both lacking legislative ratifications as required by Article 34 d (iii) of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia and Section 46.2 of the CBL Act of 1999. Additionally, there was no evidence of approval from the CBL Board of Governors.
The audit also found significant issues with the management of non-performing staff loans, totaling $472,053 for separated staff and $240,634.80 for seconded staff. Notable defaulters include former Finance Minister Augustine K. Ngafuan, owing $5,091.29, and Sinoe County Senator Crayton O. Duncan, owing $44,924.43. The GAC noted a lack of repayment, absence of legal action, and missing documentation for these defaulted loans.
Following the release of the report, President Boakai suspended CBL Executive Governor Alloysius Tarlue. He has since appointed an acting executive governor.