MONROVIA – Saykwayee Harmony Henry, the Founder of Kids Development Initiative, has expressed her disappointment regarding the certification of elected Senators who were sanctioned by the United States due to alleged involvement in corruption in Liberia.
On Friday, December 8, the National Elections Commission certified winners of the recently held October 10 Representative and Senatorial Elections. Notably among those certified were Senator Prince Y. Johnson of Nimba County, former Presidential Affairs Minister Nathaniel McGill, Senator-elect of Margibi, and former National Port Authority Managing Director Bill Twehway, Senator-elect of Rivercess.
These three individuals are among five Liberians sanctioned for their alleged roles in public corruption. The other two individuals are Cllr. Varney Sherman, outgoing Senator of Grand Cape Mount County, and former Solicitor General Sayma Syrenius Cephus.
Ms. Henry joins several civil society actors in urging that these elected officials be subject to investigation and prosecution. If found guilty, they should be barred from assuming their seats in the Liberian Senate, she said.
She emphasized that such actions would serve as a deterrent to all Liberian officials given the opportunity to serve the country and its people through appointments or elections.
“The Liberian Legislature should be occupied by people with distinct honor, clean character and role models. That’s why it is prudent to investigate all those that have been accused of corruption, and if substantive evidence is gathered, face prosecution,” Ms. Henry said in a statement.
Following the election of these individuals to the Liberian Senate, widespread calls have emerged urging the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) to initiate investigations. If substantial evidence is gathered, these officials should face prosecution. Recently, the LACC accepted a petition from a coalition of civil society organizations, urging an investigation into the sanctioned officials.”
Additionally, Ms. Henry called for an independent audit of the outgoing Weah administration to ensure transparency and accountability in their governance.