MONROVIA – The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has expressed measured optimism following the recent indictment of several former high-ranking officials by the Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce (ARPRT).

By Francis G. Boayue

However, the leading anti-graft watchdog warned that indictments alone are insufficient, calling for speedy trials and the actual retrieval of stolen wealth to restore public confidence.

The Asset Recovery Taskforce, established in 2024, has faced numerous legal hurdles in its infancy but is now under intense public pressure to deliver the first major conviction of the Boakai Administration’s Rescue Mission.

Speaking at a press conference in Monrovia on Thursday, CENTAL Executive Director, Anderson Miamen, acknowledged the renewed mandate of the Taskforce under Executive Order #161, issued by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai.

According to Mr. Miemen, the latest legal action, unveiled by Taskforce Chairman Cllr. Edwin Kla Martin, targets former Minister of Commerce and Industry (MOCI), Madam Mawine Diggs  along with several accomplices.

They are accused of diverting approximately US$1.8 million intended for a rural women’s empowerment program.

Among those indicted alongside Madam Diggs are Atty. Joseph Y. Howe, former Senior Policy Advisor (MOCI), Kebeh Monger, President of the National Rural Women Structure of Liberia, Elizabeth Finda Sambulah, President of the Liberia Marketing Association and Kemmoh Borbor, Cashier at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Mr. Miamen said the move follows a string of high-stakes indictments, including the November 2025 case against former Chief of Protocol Nora Finda Bundor involving US$6.7 million  and the June 2025 indictment of former Foreign Minister D. Maxwell Saah Kemayah regarding donated Saudi Rice. To date, the Taskforce has indicted over 50 former officials.

He noted that the Taskforce has enjoyed significant financial backing from the government—receiving US$670,920 at the end of the 2024 budget year—outpacing established institutions like the Liberia Extractives Industries Transparency Initiative (LEITI). Despite this support, Mr. Miamen expressed deep concern over the slow pace of tangible results.

“The fight against corruption becomes more meaningful when outcomes are accrued beyond indictments,” Mr. Miamen told reporters.

“Liberians have grown tired of seeing individuals acquire enormous ill-gotten assets. When people are indicted, the State must ensure the trial is speedy and justice is dispensed. The buck does not stop at an investigation.”

To ensure the Asset Recovery process does not stall, CENTAL proposed the following recommendations: “Move Beyond Indictments: The Taskforce must demonstrate the actual repatriation of foreign-based and local assets to show real impact.’’

“Specialized Court: The Government must prioritize the establishment of a Specialized Anti-Corruption Court to fast-track these high-profile cases, Legislative Reform: CENTAL is calling for the removal of the five-year statute of limitation on corruption cases, which often allows perpetrators to escape justice through delays.’’

“Judicial Prioritization: The Judiciary must treat corruption cases as a priority to act as a deterrent for current and future officials, and Sustainable Funding: While the Taskforce is funded, CENTAL urged the government to ensure all integrity institutions, including the LACC, GAC and PPCC, are adequately financed to prevent one-off successes.’’

“There can be no successful fight against corruption if the institutions leading the process are not fully supported morally and financially by the state,” Mr. Miamen added.

Monrovia – The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) in partnership with the Women NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL), with support from the UN Women Liberia on Friday, December 5, 2025, presented findings of a research report on assessing local governance and service delivery in Liberia.

The research, conducted in four (4) counties in November 2025, offers a comprehensive analysis of citizens’ perceptions of local governance, service delivery, and participatory development in Liberia. The report, amongst others, seeks to shape policy discussions, and mobilize collective efforts for governance reform and accountability, in line with the government of Liberia’s national development agenda –the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development and UN Women’s priority of promoting inclusive, transparent, and gender-responsive governance.  

In his remarks during official launch of the report in Monrovia, Hon. Emmanuel Wheinyue, Assistant Minister for Research and Development Planning at the Ministry of Local Government, formerly the Ministry of Internal Affairs, described the report as a critical tool for increased policy intervention to improving service delivery across Liberia. On behalf of the ministry, he committed to use findings of the report as tools for policy intervention aimed at promoting inclusive, accountable, and impactful public service delivery, especially at the local level.

Conducted in November 2025 through a structured Kobo Collect questionnaire administered by trained volunteers and researchers, the research engaged 385 respondents, comprising 183 females (or 48 percent) and 202 males (or 52 percent), across diverse demographic and social categories. A majority of respondents, 54 percent, were youth under the age of 35, with private citizens, youth groups, and women’s groups forming the largest categories.

Presenting a summary of the report findings, CENTAL’s Project Lead, C. Rogget Chea, highlighted a persistent gap between the promise of decentralization and the lived experiences of citizens. He revealed that governance structures such as County Councils and County Service Centers are recognized, but remain constrained by limited transparency, weak responsiveness, limited financing, and inadequate inclusion of marginalized groups and voices.

Monrovia — As part of global and national efforts to end violence against women and girls, the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) on Tuesday, December 9, 2025  hosted a One-Day Dialogue at the College of West Africa (CWA) on Ashmun Street.

By Patience M. Jones

The engagement focused on “Digital Violence against Women and Girls” under this year’s global theme: “UNiTE to End Digital Violence against All Women and Girls” and Liberia’s national theme: “Unite to End Violence: Protecting All Women and Children in our Communities and Digital Spaces.”

The event forms part of CENTAL’s interventions through its National Integrity Building and Anti-Corruption Program (NIBA) and the Open Expenditure Initiative (OEI) aimed at strengthening accountability, protecting rights, and increasing public awareness on digital harms.

CENTAL Reinforces Role in Accountability and Anti-Corruption Reform

Giving an overview of the program, Mark Boahnado, Media Assistant at CENTAL, highlighted the organization’s longstanding advocacy work across sectors including governance, education, agriculture, health, and mining since 2004.

He stressed that young people dominate digital spaces and, as users, they hold power to either fuel or prevent harmful actions online.

“Some youth engage in cyberbullying just to chase likes and views, without thinking about how it damages others,” he said.

“As much as we are contributing to the problem, we can also be part of the solution.”

Mr. Boahnado emphasized that the objective of the dialogue is to spark youth-led awareness and ensure they understand their rights and responsibilities in digital spaces.

Keynote Presentation: Understanding Digital Violence

Madam Clara K. Mallah, Gender and Inclusion Officer at CENTAL, delivered the keynote presentation focused on digital violence and its intersection with corruption, harassment, and gender inequities.

Presenting background statistics collected between December 2020 and November 2025, she disclosed that:

152 complaints were received through CENTAL’s reporting platforms

55 of those cases involved women facing abuse, corruption, or domestic-related issues

Madam Mallah explained that digital violence includes:

Cyberbullying and harassment

Blackmail and sextortion

Image-based abuse and revenge porn

Hate speech and body shaming

Deepfakes and false information

Identity theft and account hacking

“Digital violence is real-world violence. It violates human rights, destroys confidence, and forces many victims out of school and other spaces,” she stated.

She encouraged students to make use of CENTAL’s national reporting hotline �� 4432 to report corruption-related abuses, including online harassment leveraged for sexual exploitation.

Students Demand School-Based Reporting Mechanisms

Representing the student community as a panelist, Miss Christiana Kanwee, a 12th-grade student of CWA, stressed the need for safe reporting channels within educational institutions.

“Schools should establish complaint boxes where students can report bribery for grades, teacher harassment, or digital violence without fear,” she said.

“If you don’t want to watch it, don’t share it. Reporting inappropriate content can help platforms remove it.”

Panelist Perkins E. T. Boyce, Regional Director for Africa and professional disability advocate, highlighted the extremely harmful impact of online bullying especially on students with disabilities.

He called for: Blocking harmful online accounts, School regulations to include cyberbullying punishments, and Zero-tolerance enforcement for online shaming. “Your student handbook must protect you from digital violence just as it protects you from physical violence,” he noted. “We all deserve an inclusive and safe digital space.”

Speaking on behalf of the Government, Sylvia Brown-Pay, representative of the Ministry of Gender, Children & Social Protection, emphasized the urgency of addressing cyber harms impacting school-aged girls.

She described how digital blackmail forces victims out of school, lowers self-esteem, and leads to trauma or self-harm.

“Schools must take accountability seriously by reporting cases to the Ministry of Gender, CENTAL, and the Women & Children Protection Section of the Liberia National Police,” she said.

She further explained the significance of the 16 Days of Activism Campaign observed globally from November 25 to December 10 each year to raise awareness on violence against women and girls.

Monrovia – The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has criticized the Liberian government for its lack of transparency surrounding the alleged construction of a US$10 million “presidential villa” in Foya, Lofa County. The group is demanding full disclosure on the source of funding, the selection of contractors, and the economic justification for what it described as a massive and questionable project. 

By Francis Boayue

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, CENTAL’s Executive Director, Anderson Miamen, said the recent resignation of Chief Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay’s son from a magisterial post was a welcome development but argued that the Chief Justice himself must face appropriate sanctions for violating the Code of Conduct.

According to Miamen, the nepotism controversy involving Chief Justice Gbeisay and his son, Willeyon Gbeisay, who was nominated by President Joseph Boakai as Associate Magistrate of the Paynesville Magisterial Court, represents a clear breach of ethical standards. While welcoming the younger Gbeisay’s resignation—announced on Wednesday, October 1, 2025—CENTAL maintained that the decision does not absolve the Chief Justice of wrongdoing.

“We are of the view that such resignation does not remedy the misconduct on the part of the Chief Justice, especially since he brazenly defended the act on public television,” Miamen asserted.

Turning to the US$10 million Foya Villa controversy, reportedly located in President Boakai’s hometown of Foya District, Lofa County, Miamen said the lack of verifiable information has generated deep concern among journalists, advocates, and civil society leaders, including Eddie Jarwolo of Naymote, who first publicized the alleged construction.

The CENTAL boss highlighted conflicting accounts from government officials, noting that Deputy Information Minister Daniel Sando denied the existence of a presidential project, claiming instead that the construction was related to a Mano River Union (MRU) conference. 

“In a bid to independently verify the information, interested individuals and groups reached out to the MRU Secretariat. However, the body has since declined to directly speak on the matter, instead urging persons to seek documentary evidence from Deputy Minister Sando regarding his claim,” Miamen said.

He further disclosed that CENTAL’s review of the approved 2024 and 2025 national budgets found no appropriation for such a project under the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs or any other line ministry.

“What is the actual source of funding for the project? What are its specifications, and what economic benefits will it yield for the country? How come such a massive project is being undertaken in the President’s hometown, and only after his ascension to power? How was the contractor selected?” Miamen questioned.

Expressing suspicion over the government’s continued silence, CENTAL called on the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) and the Asset Recovery Task Force to launch an immediate investigation into what it termed a “suspicious acquisition” in order to safeguard the public interest.

Gbarnga – The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), with funding from the Embassy of Ireland through Irish Aid, has concluded a specialized anti-corruption training for officials of the Bong County Service Center (CSC). 

By: Kongoi Gborkorquellie, Contributing Writer

The training, held on the premises of the Development Education Network-Liberia (DEN-L) in Gbarnga Tuesday, August 12, 2025, was aimed at promoting transparency, strengthening accountability, and improving public service delivery at the county level.

The initiative forms part of the Education, Political Governance, and Accountability in Liberia Project, a three-year program funded by the Embassy of Ireland and implemented in Bong, Nimba, and Grand Bassa Counties. 

The project is jointly carried out by three civil society organizations: CENTAL, NAYMOTE Partners for Democratic Development, and the Center for Democratic Governance.

Speaking to reporters during the training, CENTAL Program Manager Torwon F. Genesee explained that County Service Centers, which were established to bring public services closer to citizens, have faced significant operational challenges, including incomplete, inconsistent, or unavailable services in some areas.

“We are here to empower CSC officials with specialized skills to detect and prevent corruption in all its forms,” Genesee said. “If service delivery is to improve, anti-corruption must be a key priority.”

Genesee noted that some government services at the CSC are only partially available, while others are not offered at all. He said this creates opportunities for corrupt practices, making it essential to equip officials with both practical and legal tools to resist and address such situations.

One major focus of the training was Liberia’s anti-corruption laws, including the Whistleblower Act, which protects individuals who report corrupt acts.

 Genesee emphasized that without awareness of such laws, CSC officials might fail to safeguard whistleblowers or properly handle corruption complaints.

 “It is not just about educating them about corruption,” he added, “but also ensuring they understand the laws that exist to fight it, so they can use those laws as tools to improve service delivery and uphold transparency.”

The sessions covered several key areas. Bong County CSC Coordinator Arthur Crawford led a presentation on the functions and maintenance of the County Service Center, highlighting the structure, roles, and operational needs of the institution. Other presentations focused on strengthening anti-corruption efforts in Liberia, with particular emphasis on service delivery at the CSC, and understanding anti-corruption laws to provide participants with legal knowledge and practical tools for enforcing accountability.

Bong County Service Center Coordinator Arthur Crawford and Upper Bong County Labor Commissioner William K. Sumoward both described the training as timely and impactful.

Sumoward said the discussions served as a reminder of the many ways corruption can occur, sometimes unintentionally, during service delivery. “Even seemingly harmless actions, like asking service seekers to ‘improvise’ due to lack of materials, can amount to corruption,” he explained. “When the central government fails to provide the necessary tools, the burden should not fall on citizens. This training reminded us that our role is to serve without exploiting the constraints we face.”

He added that the session refreshed officials’ understanding of the legal definitions and forms of corruption under Liberia’s anti-corruption laws, reinforcing the need for ethical conduct in all service interactions. “We have heard many of these things before, but as time goes by, people forget,” Sumoward said. “This is a refresher—a reminder that when we return to our offices, we must renew our services so that people who come in for assistance can be satisfied with the services they receive.”

The training brought together 21 participants, including 20 departmental representatives from the CSC and the county coordinator. Each department at the CSC was represented by at least one official.

CENTAL expressed gratitude to the Embassy of Ireland for its continued support in strengthening governance at the local level. Genesee stressed that while the training equips officials with knowledge, its true impact depends on their commitment to applying these principles in their daily duties.

“We will not always be in the county,” he said. “It is the officials themselves—those who interact with service seekers every day—who must take ownership of these lessons to make transparency and accountability a reality.”

Monrovia—In a significant stride towards bolstering democratic governance in Liberia, the Center for Democratic Governance (CDG), the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), and Naymote Partners for Democratic Development have officially launched a $1.5 million initiative aimed at “Strengthening Political Governance and Accountability in Liberia.” 

By: Francis G. Boayue, francisg.boayue@frontpageafricaonline.com

The project is supported by the Irish government and various local civil society organizations.

The program was launched on Tuesday, November 11, and spans three years, from September 1, 2023, to August 31, 2027. 

It will focus on activities in Bong, Margibi, and Grand Bassa counties, with funding provided by Irish Aid. The effort will be executed by the CSO Governance Consortium, including the CDG, Naymote, and CENTAL.

Mr. Anderson Miamen, Executive Director of CENTAL, outlined the collaboration’s goals, emphasizing its focus on enhancing political accountability and transparency over the next three years. 

The project aims to strengthen democratic governance within the targeted regions while aligning with national engagements for effective governance.

Mr. Miamen highlighted three key objectives of the initiative, including increasing citizens’ demand for accountability, amplifying public engagement in the management of national resources—and fostering dialogue between the government and local communities to enhance participation in decision-making processes.

Additionally, the initiative aims to improve oversight of revenue sharing, ensuring that resources are equitably distributed between central and local governments.

The consortium has set an ambitious target of reaching at least 10,000 individuals, ensuring equal representation across gender and addressing the needs of marginalized groups, including persons with disabilities.

Mr. Eddie Jarwolo, Executive Director of Naymote, welcomed stakeholders and emphasized the importance of local governance capacity. 

“Localization is taking root globally, and we look forward to strengthening local institutions,” he stated. 

He acknowledged partners, including the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) and various civil society organizations, for their support.

The project signifies a commitment to transparency and accountability; the consortium plans to keep the community informed about its progress and resource utilization.

Gerard Considine, the Irish Ambassador to Liberia, stressed the need for stronger governance and transparency as drivers for sustainable development. 

In his remarks, he laid out a strategic plan for 2024-2028, focusing on critical areas such as governance enhancement, gender equality, food security, and climate action. 

“Accountable institutions, underpinned by strong governance and adherence to the rule of law, are vital for achieving transformative development that reaches those who are furthest behind,” Ambassador Considine remarked.

He also acknowledged the essential role of the European Union and national integrity institutions in these efforts, stating, “Ireland recognizes the importance of partnering with civil society to bolster accountability in governance.”

The initiative aims to engage a diverse array of stakeholders, including youth, women, minority groups, and community-based organizations (CBOs), along with policymakers from key government institutions like the MIA, the Governance Commission, and the Environmental Protection Agency.

Concluding the event, the Ambassador expressed optimism about the involvement of various government agencies in ongoing discussions, noting that inclusive participation in governance can significantly influence resource allocation and improve public service delivery for all Liberians. 

He emphasized the need for a united front in pursuing Liberia’s development goals, particularly through good governance, as outlined in the government’s draft development plan, “Arrest for Inclusive Development.”

“We look forward to working in partnership to achieve our shared goals of transparent and accountable leadership,” he affirmed, underscoring the collective commitment to advancing Liberia’s growth.

Monrovia- The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has called for a full-scale investigation into bribery allegations of corruption in the legislature over the removal of current House Speaker, Hon. J. Fonati Koffa, who has been accused of bad leadership, corruption and other misdeeds, including conflict of interest.

By Francis G. Boayue

CENTAL’s Executive Director, Anderson Miamen, on Thursday in a press conference, recognized the right and power of representatives to remove the Speaker and other elected leaders, according to Article 49 of the 1986 Constitution, but, however, called on the 55th House of Representatives in this case to be lawful, transparent, and void of alleged and confirmed incidences of bribery and other forms of corruption.

“The Speaker stands accused of providing legal consultancy to several public and private institutions, claims he has since rebuffed, stating that he has since divested his shares in his law firm (International Law Group).  In the face of all these, we call for a full-scale independent investigation into the current bribery allegations and other issues emerging regarding budget corruption and tempering, which may be undisputable due to how some representatives and senators have acquired stolen wealth, which their salaries and incomes which cannot be justified,” CENTAL’s Executive Director said.

Miamen highlighted a video which was widely circulated on social media of Representative Luther Collins of District #2 in Gbarpolu County seen displaying cash amounting to 14, 800 allegedly received from his colleague, Representative James N. Kolleh of District #2 in Bong County, on behalf of the group of representatives seeking the Speaker’s removal. 

According to him, the total bribe involved is $25,000 , with an upfront payment of 15,000 USD, to be followed by 10,000 USD after the successful removal of the Speaker. Representative Collins’ startling revelations, which have been refuted by the accused, come amidst widespread allegations of corruption and bribery at the legislature, similar to many others previously reported, characterizing legislative decision-making.

The CENTAL Boss further urged the Legislature to open itself up for all forms of audit and other review processes, as may be prescribed by the General Auditing Commission and other statutorily mandated institutions.

“Where necessary, we urge the GAC to collaborate with other internationally acclaimed audit institutions to conduct the process and provide credible and timely reports on financial and other dealings of the Legislature. This is a call Liberians have been making for ever so long, along with development partners and some members of the legislature itself.  Liberians are eagerly awaiting the conclusion of such comprehensive financial and other forms of audit that provide detailed, inclusive, and credible information on how budgeted resources of the Legislature have been expended, over the years,” Miamen added.

Monrovia – The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), a leading anti-corruption organization, has launched the Corruption Case Tracker (CCT) to document cases under investigation by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC).

By Francis Boayue, francis.boayue@frontpageafricaonline.com

Funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) and the Embassy of Sweden in Liberia, the tracker was developed under CENTAL’s National Integrity Building and Anti-Corruption Program. This online platform aims to enhance transparency and accountability by providing the public with access to detailed information about corruption cases, including their nature, scope, location, and timeline.

The tracker also offers real-time access to government budgets, procurement contracts, and financial statements, allowing citizens to monitor public spending and identify irregularities. Additionally, it provides an easy-to-use interface for citizens to report suspected corruption, ensuring their voices are heard and their concerns addressed.

The platform uses advanced data visualization tools to present complex information in a clear and accessible manner, making it easier for citizens to understand and analyze government activities.

Atty. Gerald D. Yeakula, CENTAL’s Program Manager, highlighted the significance of the case tracker, stating, “We hope it can be a game-changer in the fight against corruption.” He explained that the tool allows users to track allegations of corruption, with cases dating as far back as 2009. He noted that some of these cases have diplomatic links.

He clarified that the cases on the platform are not final but serve to inform the public about the status of corruption investigations, including how many are currently before the LACC and the sectors involved.

Atty. Bendu Kpoto, CENTAL’s Coordinator of Advocacy and Legal Advisor, praised the launch and encouraged researchers and donor partners to utilize the tracker. She emphasized that, before the tracker, there were no tools to keep the public and donors informed about the progress of corruption investigations and prosecutions. “Citizens now have the empowerment to report corruption without fear of being targeted,” she added.

Anderson Miamen, Executive Director of CENTAL, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to fighting corruption and promoting transparency. “At CENTAL, we are dedicated to combating corruption and breaking the culture of impunity,” he said.

Nikolina Stålhand, Program Officer at the Embassy of Sweden in Monrovia, urged both local and international stakeholders to use the tracker to promote accountability. She formally launched the platform at the event.

The launch was attended by diverse stakeholders, including representatives from the Public Procurement and Concession Commission, Liberia Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission, General Auditing Commission, civil society organizations, and the media.

The expected outcomes of the CCT include increasing transparency, promoting public engagement, and holding government agencies accountable for investigating and prosecuting corruption cases. It also seeks to strengthen collaboration among citizens, media, civil society, government agencies, and international organizations in addressing corruption in Liberia. The platform is designed to solicit ongoing stakeholder input to enhance its quality, management, and sustainability.

The launch of the Corruption Tracker marks a significant milestone in CENTAL’s efforts to combat corruption and promote good governance in Liberia.

Monrovia – For years, Liberia has had to grapple with low funding for education, leading to a lack of basic resources such as textbooks, school infrastructure, and teacher training. 

So, as part of efforts aimed at addressing the funding gap in the education sector, the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), through its Civil Society Activity Project (CSA) conducted a one-day policy dialogue on a scoping study on Alternative Resource Mobilization Strategies to fund education. 

The project is being funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and is implemented by Development Alternative Incorporated (DAI) in partnership with CENTAL as subcontractor.

The High Level Policy Dialogue, which was held on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, assembled education stakeholders and policymakers including Lawmakers, especially those on the Joint Committee on Education of both the Liberian Senate and the House of Representatives. They included Sinoe County Representative Thomas Romeo Quioh, Alfred Flomo District 4, Representative Grand Bassa County, and Senator Numene Bartewah of Sinoe County. 

The event was also graced by a team from the Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA) headed by H. Barshelu Kormah, Assistant Commissioner, Small and Micro Tax Division, County and District Education Officials, and National Teachers Association of Liberia. 

In his overview of the dialogue, CENTAL’s Senior Program Officer and Project Lead for the CSA project, Randall Makor, highlighted the rationale of the study which he said was meant to shed light on the dire financing constraints facing the education sector and to provide locally-driven innovative strategies to alternatively fundraise for education. 

He also emphasized the importance of addressing challenges and constraints that continue to hinder access, equity, and quality of education; and determining possible pathways through which additional resources can be optimized for sustained financing to education. 

Adding, he said, this is intended to address the myriad of constraints confronting the sector including the acute shortage of trained and qualified teachers at all levels, inadequate supply of school materials, dilapidated school infrastructure, proliferation of volunteer teachers, among others

Also speaking Anderson D. Miamen, Executive Director, CENTAL, emphasized the significance of increased funding to education. “Of all the rights, the right to education is a multiplier right because all other rights are tied to it”, he said. Mohammed Boakai, Senior Policy Advisor, USAID/ DAI CSA Project, highlighted the important role the project is playing in improving education outcomes in Liberia. 

During a panel discussion, Representative Thomas Romeo Quioh, Chairman of the Joint Legislative Committee on Education, addressed issues of galvanizing legislative buy-ins and commitments for education financing. 

He said increasing financing for education is not only critical but necessary to secure the future of the children of Liberia. He also pledged the commitment and support on behalf of the joint committee on education.

Grand Kru County Senator Numene T. H. Bartkewa, Co-chair of the Joint Legislative Committee on Education, commended CENTAL through the CSA project for the initiative. 

While he acknowledged the importance of funding education, he however cautioned stakeholders about carefully labeling taxes to avoid additional burden on the citizens. H. Barshelu Kromah, Assistant Commissioner, Small and Micro Tax Division, Liberia Revenue Authority (LRA), provided insights on the tax regime, with a focus on identifying tax-smart approaches to funding education and outlined smart tax approaches.

The dialogue climaxed with overwhelming support from all stakeholders intended to ensure sustainable financing for education to meet the 20% global benchmark proffered key findings of the scoping study on alternative financing and propose appropriate actions to engender legislation.

MONROVIA – The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has expressed serious concern about the lack of transparency and accountability in the acquisition of 285 pieces of earth-moving equipment by the United Party-led government, headed by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr.

By Francis G. Boayue

Addressing a press conference on Wednesday, CENTAL’s Executive Director, Anderson Miamen, called for transparency, accountability, and full compliance with public procurement and other related laws in acquiring the equipment.

Miamen stated, “We strive in the fight against corruption and other vices in Liberia. We owe it to ourselves and future generations to make Liberia corruption-free, prosperous, and livable.”

He explained that from May 23-25, 2024, the Government of Liberia (GoL) held a three-day cabinet retreat in Monrovia. During the event, Minister of State Without Portfolio Mamaka Bility announced that 285 pieces of earth-moving equipment had been presented to the Government of Liberia in a virtual turnover ceremony attended by her, Sylvester M. Grigsby, Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, and Roland Layfette Giddings, Minister of Public Works. A video released about the turnover ceremony also featured Mr. Xu Ming, Senior Vice President of Sany Group, a Chinese multinational heavy equipment manufacturing company, and Robert Gumede, Chairman of the Guma Group based in South Africa. While some Liberians have welcomed the development, others call for transparency, accountability, and full compliance with public procurement and related laws.

On May 28, 2024, responding to public questions, Minister of Information, Culture Affairs, and Tourism Jerolinmek Piah stated that the announcement made by Minister Bility was not the result of any agreement but rather an update on the government’s plans. He stressed that, although the Government of Liberia has the power to negotiate deals in the country’s interest, such deals will be negotiated with respect for the rule of law and separation of powers. Despite this assertion, many Liberians, including CENTAL, were surprised when the government moved to bring in the first batch of equipment without any evidence that procurement laws were followed. On July 6, 2024, the Liberian government paraded several pieces of the equipment, with media outlets confirming the importation of the first consignment of the much-discussed road equipment.

More than a month after confirming plans to acquire the equipment, the government has provided little tangible information on the matter. The circumstances around the acquisition of the yellow machines remain unclear, despite persistent public outcry and demand for information. Details such as the source, cost, nature of the deal, payment modalities, and other vital information are still top secret, despite laws and policies requiring full disclosure. Miamen questioned why a government that campaigned on transparency and accountability would choose to keep such a significant procurement process shrouded in secrecy.

CENTAL is deeply troubled by this development, which contradicts the president’s professed anti-corruption commitment and respect for the rule of law and good governance requirements. If the “R” component of the government’s ARREST Agenda truly means respect for the rule of law, then the government needs to ensure the right processes, including the Public Procurement and other tendering processes, are fully respected. This does not seem to be the case with the equipment acquisition. This is not the first time the government has engaged in an opaque and non-competitive process. A case in point is when the Ministry of Public Works awarded over 20 million USD worth of road contracts to various contractors without competitive processes, only to admit wrongdoing and apologize to members of the Legislature. A similar trend is being seen with the yellow machines, with the Liberian government violating its established procurement, due diligence, and other processes.

Reports that the companies and individuals behind the deal have business interests in Liberia make the saga more concerning. If there is a lack of transparency and due diligence at this early stage of their engagement with the Government of Liberia, it raises questions about future investments or relations with Liberia.

CENTAL’s Recommendations

Liberians demand more transparency, accountability, and integrity from their leaders. If the president is to be true to his commitment to running an open and accountable government, the right steps must be followed, including respect for the rule of law, especially during these early days of his administration. CENTAL urges President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., and his officials to respect the laws of Liberia, particularly the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission’s guidelines on negotiating and contracting works, goods, and services for the government and the country.

CENTAL joins well-meaning Liberians and development partners in demanding the executive make full and timely disclosure regarding the circumstances surrounding the yellow machines and all related matters. As important as the procurement of this equipment may be in addressing road and other infrastructure challenges faced by the country, the process of acquiring them cannot be marred by secrecy.

Additionally, CENTAL calls on the Legislature to get involved and demand timely and full answers from the executive on the matter. The government should address the issue quickly through a public hearing and open appearances by executive officials to respond to multiple questions. CENTAL applauds Liberians for demanding transparency and accountability around this issue and encourages more such engagements on all matters of public interest. Finally, CENTAL calls on development partners to closely follow this and other government activities and processes to ask the necessary questions and demand accountability from officials leading and coordinating such processes.