Liberian President Joseph Boakai has suspended more than 450 government officials, including ministers, for failing to declare their assets as required by law. The suspended officials will be off work without pay for a month or until they submit their declarations.
Boakai emphasized that transparency is essential in the fight against corruption, and the failure to disclose assets undermines accountability. Among those affected are key officials, including the ministers of education and health, as well as presidential advisors and county administrators.
Liberian law mandates that public officials declare their wealth upon assuming office and when leaving government positions. The Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) published the list of non-compliant officials, citing legal requirements.
Boakai, who took office last year, has made anti-corruption a central priority. In a previous move, he cut his own salary by 40% to promote responsible governance. His predecessor’s administration faced criticism for corruption and excessive spending, fueling public discontent.
Reactions to the suspensions have been mixed. Some view the move as a strong stance against corruption, while civil society groups argue that a one-month suspension is insufficient and lacks real consequences. Meanwhile, several suspended officials have begun complying with asset declaration requirements in response to the crackdown.
