From Allafrica · · 1m 40s
Liberia's Ex-President Calls for Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement
Former Liberia President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf demands concrete action to enforce anti-corruption laws after years of failed reforms.
In brief
Former Liberia President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf demands concrete action to enforce anti-corruption laws after years of failed reforms. Former Liberia President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf urges the country to implement anti-corruption laws effectively by ensuring prosecutions and consequences, acknowledging her…
Ex-President Sirleaf Challenges Liberia
Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf urges Liberia to give anti-corruption laws 'teeth' by ensuring violations lead to investigations, prosecution and meaningful consequences.
“Liberia: Ex - President Sirleaf Challenges Liberia to Give Anti-Corruption Laws Teeth”
Liberia Begins Month of Good Governance
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai proclaimed October as the Month of Good Governance to strengthen transparency, integrity, accountability and citizen participation in governance.
Sirleaf's Corruption Legacy
When Sirleaf took the Presidential Oath in January 2006, corruption was 'the public enemy number one' in Liberia.
“When I took the Presidential Oath of Office in January 2006, Liberia was a nation where corruption was largely the operating system”
Key Reforms Under Sirleaf
Her administration established the Governance Commission, Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission, Public Procurement and Concessions Commission and the Freedom of Information Act.
Reforms Failed to Eliminate Corruption
Sirleaf acknowledged that reforms did not fully achieve their intended purpose, stating Liberia faces the same corruption challenges today as in 2006.
“I wish that I could tell you that with all this effort, we won the corruption fight. We did not. And we are facing the same thing today”
Institutions Need Enforcement
Sirleaf stressed that institutions alone cannot ensure accountability without political commitment, adequate resources and independence.
“Orders were published and then forgotten. Too few cases reached a courtroom, and few ended in conviction”
Accountability Begins at the Top
Sirleaf insisted that political leadership must demonstrate integrity for citizens to trust public institutions.
“Accountability begins at the top. The very top. Or it does not begin at all”
Call for Institutional Support
She urged the executive branch to demonstrate integrity, while ensuring integrity institutions receive full budgetary support and independence.
Citizens and Journalists Must Act
Sirleaf urged citizens to use the Freedom of Information Act and journalists to investigate public institutions and officials.
“Ask for the records, she urged. Keep asking the hard questions.”
The short version
Former Liberia President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf urges the country to implement anti-corruption laws effectively by ensuring prosecutions and consequences, acknowledging her administration's shortcomings.
