Kudos for FiTI Membership, Frowns Over Graft Reports -CENTAL Releases Public comments on Multiple Issues

MONROVIA – Not many civil society groups would strike the balance, some arguing that what makes news for Government more is the sensational developments, that which it fails to do, and that whatever good it does is exactly the reason why it was elected and needs no praises. And there are those who say the love for country and its image requires no public condemnation; for the lifting only the positive developments exclusively gives the government impetus to always strive to do better. The transparency and accountability group, CENTAL, takes the middle position, criticizing when necessary and commending when necessary, as it did in its latest press statement that contains both praises for Government, for earning membership to the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI), and frowns for reports of corruption – payroll paddling. THE ANALYST reports.    

The corruption watchdog group, Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has commended the Government of Liberia for obtaining membership with the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI), while in the same breath taking issue with the government over reports of corruption at the Executive Mansion on account of alleged payroll padding reports by the General Auditing Commission.

Pats on Back for FiTI Membership

CENTAL in a press statement asserted it “read with great excitement that Liberia joined the Fisheries Transparency Initiative (FiTI) on May 21, 2025, a global multi-stakeholder partnership aimed at enhancing transparency and participation in the sustainable management of marine fisheries through the implementation of the FiTI Standard”.

The FiTI Standard is a globally recognized framework that outlines specific transparency requirements for countries in the governance and management of marine fisheries.

“We applaud this effort by the Government of Liberia (GoL) through the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Authority (NaFAA) to promote the culture of transparency, especially within the fisheries sector,” the civil society group note. “Liberia’s membership to the initiative is a step in the right direction in promoting an equitable, inclusive and transparent fisheries sector.”

The group warned that gone should be those days when policies, frameworks, agreements, processes, and reports with implications on the people and the state are shrouded in secrecy. It added: “Now is the time to nurture and value a culture of transparency across different government institutions and their services.”

CENTAL commended NaFAA for maintaining an active website and a portal for online application for licenses, bu admonishing it looks forward to publication of more information regarding fisheries agreements, revenue and expenditure reports, and other key information on the sector.

Allegations of Payroll Paddling

In the same press statement, the group called out government, especially the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs which hosts the Executive Mansion, for audit reports unearthing acts of corruption – payroll fraud.

CENTAL said while it commends the Government of Liberia for the recent transparency effort, it was mindful of the report recently released by the General Auditing Commission (GAC) on the compliance audit of the supplementary payroll system at the Ministry of State (MOS) for the period covering July 1, 2018 to March 31, 2024.

The report underscores systemic issues in public financial management at the MOS, to name a few: speaking to unauthorized supplementary payroll spending in the tone of over US$3.5 million; payment of over US$7.9 million and L$964,766.21 without supporting documentation; and unauthorized severance payments to 647 laid-off employees.

The group noted that the audit covers, to a large extent, the administration of former President George M. Weah and the previous Ministers such as Nathaniel F. McGill, now Senator of Margibi County, and Wesseh Blamoh; nonetheless, in addition to the many systemic issues raised by the audit linked to the current administration regarding payroll administration.

The report, according to CENTAL, also indicates that the Ministry under the current administration hired supplementary staff within two months of taking office without proper recruitment processes and paid the hires over US$36,000 monthly from a consultancy budget line, without verification or documentation.

The report also noted the failure of the current administration to provide records or facilitate verification of these hires, raising concerns about transparency and accountability.

 CENTAL said in the release that it “sees this finding as disturbing, especially considering that the Ministry of State dismissed three senior officials in 2024 amid reports of payroll paddling”.

The group wondered whether the Ministry dismissed these officials for acts done prior to the Boakai administration or for those done during the Boakai administration, or both.

“We believe that the answer to this dilemma will shed light on whether the Ministry of State is truly committed to fighting corruption and not a face-saving gesture or simply a move to target those who served the previous administration. We cannot emphasize much that the fight against corruption must be impartial.”

CENTAL urged the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) to take swift actions to investigate these allegations of corruption, revealing it has reviewed the recent quarterly report of the LACC which indicates that investigations in payroll paddling are ongoing since they began on October 14, 2024.

“As it is nearly eight months since the investigations began, we can only hope that it is completed in the soonest possible time,” the accountability watchdog further emphasized. “We note also that the LACC has reported completion of investigation into the case involving officials of the Liberia Telecommunications Authority (LTA). CENTAL awaits the next course of action by the LACC.”

Bribery Allegations at the House of Representatives

CENTAL says it has also been informed that the Liberia Anti-corruption Commission (LACC) has sent a letter requesting full cooperation from members of the House of Representatives as part of investigations into bribery allegations during proceedings that led to the resignation of Hon. J. Fonati Koffa, as Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The action on the part of the LACC comes on the back of two formal complaints filed by a civil society group and Representative Luther Collins of District Number 2, Gbarpolu County, on October 17 and 21, 2024 respectively.

While applauding the LACC for the initial decisive steps in the matter, CENTAL encouraged the commission to speed up its efforts in ascertaining the facts and bringing the matter to a close.

“We implore the commission to be as transparent as possible with findings from the investigation so as to allay public speculations and uncertainties especially due to the criticality of the allegations,” the group concluded with a call on President Joseph N. Boakai to do the needful by acting swiftly on recommendations contained in the audit report if systemic issues must be addressed.

“We also reiterate our call for the LACC to speedily investigate those associated with findings contained in the audit report, as well as those connected to the House bribery allegations,” said CENTAL.