MONROVIA – The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) has taken action against exiting government officials who have failed to submit their exit asset declarations, in accordance with Section 10.1 of Liberia’s 2014 Code of Conduct. The LACC, as outlined in Section 5.2 (o) of the amended LACC Act of 2022, is responsible for executing Liberia’s Asset Declaration and Verification Regime.
By Henry Karmo, [email protected]
In a statement issued by the LACC, the commission expressed its commitment to collaborating with other agencies, including the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, Liberia Revenue Authority, Public Procurement and Concession Commission, Liberia Business Registry, National Identity Registry, and other government service providers to impose sanctions on non-compliant officials.
Sanctions may include withholding compensation, including salaries and bonuses, refusal or denial of government services (such as business registration, tax clearance, passport renewal, and national ID card renewal), and ineligibility for government positions.
The LACC encourages all public officials, including exiting officials, who have not declared their assets to promptly do so. The commission pledges to update and publish lists of non-compliant officials weekly on its official website and through print and electronic media until the entire Exit Declaration process concludes.
In November 2023, the LACC mandated all outgoing officials, including President George Weah and Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor, to declare their assets by December 12, 2023. This declaration, part of the “Exit Declaration of Assets Notice,” encompasses properties, financial holdings, investments, and other relevant financial interests.
Executive Chairperson Cllr. Alexandra Kormah Zoe emphasized the necessity of the declaration, highlighting its role in ensuring transparency and accountability within the government. The process, guided by the New LACC Act of 2022, underscores confidentiality while requiring accuracy and compliance with legal standards.
Cllr. Alexandra Kormah Zoe, the new Executive Chairperson of the LACC, issued a public notice to all outgoing officials, urging them to declare their assets by filing an Asset Declaration form with the LACC no later than Tuesday, December 12th, 2023. The information provided will be treated with the utmost confidentiality, subject to verification to ensure accuracy and compliance with legal standards.