CENTAL DEMANDS MORE SANCTIONS ON CORRUPT OFFICIALS
By: Sylvester Choloplay
Monrovia, Liberia: The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has commended the U.S Government for placing sanctions on corrupt Liberian Government officials but demands more sanctions.
CENTAL urged the U.S Government to spare no accomplices and beneficiaries of such significant acts of corruption being perpetrated by some Liberian Government officials.
The integrity watch institution disclosed that these designations reinforce countless recommendations that have been made to President George Weah and the Government of Liberia to show genuine political will and be practical, impartial, and holistic about the fight against Corruption in the country.
The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia revealed that the failure of the President to take appropriate corrective actions against government officials, mainly officials accused and investigated by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission will pose serious developmental threats to the country.
On August 15, 2022, the U.S Government designated Nathaniel McGill, Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Sayma Syrenius Cephus, Liberiaโs Solicitor General, and Bill Twehway, Managing Director of Liberiaโs National Port Authority for sanctions for their involvement in corruption.
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But, speaking at a press conference in Monrovia on Tuesday, CENTALโs Boss โ Anderson Miamen called on President George Weah to begin by immediately dismissing, and not suspending officials of the executive that have been internationally found wanting in integrity.
The latest designations of sanctions by the U.S Government bring to six (6) the number of Liberian Government Officials that have so far been designated under the Global Magnitsky Act for their involvement with significant corruption.
Andrew Wonploe, former Liberia Passport Director, Senator Varney Sherman of Grand Cape Mount County, and Senator Prince Y. Johnson of Nimba County were earlier designated.
Meanwhile, CENTAL is calling on relevant Liberian Authorities to seek the support of the U.S Government to thoroughly investigate and prosecute the designated officials.
CENTAL said the failure of the President to take appropriate corrective actions against government officials accused and investigated for incidences of corruption will continue to present Liberia to the international counties a bad image.
Meanwhile, a day after the US Treasury Report was issued, the Executive Mansion quotes Pres. Weah as suspending the three named sanctioned Officials, eventhough the release added that the Liberian leader was concerned about the situation.
Critics have condemned the President’s recent move to suspend the three Officials without a definite period and submission to a special Investigation in order to allow them pay for their respective crimes.
Those named in the US Treasury Report are closed confidants of President George Mammeh Weah, so critics believe that the political will is lacking for proper action.
According to the US Treasury Report, those officials action of bribes and kickbacks among others, undermines Liberia democracy and governance.
