Monrovia – Open Liberia, a pro-democracy civil society organization, says it is anxious about the president George Weah’s persistent lack of response to the tumultuous call for him to declare his assets; and calls on him to take the bull by the horns and set the pace in the fight against corruption and poverty.
The group says any attempt to brush aside this first test of his leadership’s commitment to fighting corruption will undermine all subsequent efforts.
OLiberia believes the president will be doing Liberia a favor by declaring his assets, as impetus for transparency and good governance. The call was contained in a press statement issued in Monrovia Thursday by the organization’s administrator Kabah M. Trawally.
According to Mr. Trawally, Mr. Weah came to the country’s leadership on the promise of change desired by majority of the people; and as a matter of commitment to that promise, the president must lead the way by declaring his assets.
“The fight for against corruption starts with transparency; and transparency begins with openness. Declaring assets is start of that openness. You cannot fight corruption if you’re not open; and your lack of such move is setting a wrong precedence for transparency and good governance in a new Liberia that you promised,” Mr. Trawally said.
Mr. Trawally reminded Pres. Weah Liberians have for a long time suffered economic deprivation, which he says has caused lack of development.
The OLiberia executive has this to say to Weah about his voters and supporters: “Those who turned up to answer his call for change will need to see him take the lead in fighting this menace. His silence or refusal to meet this first test of good governance will mean no justice for the poor. Fighting corruption demands the setting of example from highest top.”
Meanwhile, OL has expressed support for ongoing hunger strike by activist Leroy Archie Ponpon. Mr. Ponpon is on a three-day hunger strike demanding Pres. Weah to declare his assets. He has spent two nights in front of the US Embassy in Monrovia.
OLiberian believes his action is in the right direction, but calls on him to end the strike. “We call on him to end his hunger strike. But also call on all patriotic Liberians to support the cause for a transparent leadership.”
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