MONROVIA – A number of development theorists and advocates have maintained that Liberia’s transformation standstill, expressed in political failure and economic backwardness, is underpinned by one critical deficit: lack of a genuinely people-centered, patriotic leader who would lead by example. It is widely conjectured that, giving Liberia’s traditional political nature that espouses hierarchical rule, only one person, the leader, can break the transformation deadlock by demonstrating sterling, revolutionary and robust qualities–leading by example. All others will follow in single file. That’s why many have been looking up to incumbent Liberian president who campaigned on the mantra of ending business as usual by beginning his administration not only with the declaration of his assets but publishing them, indeed a rare political deportment in the country. It is only after six months that he and his Vice President have published their assets, something lavishing being hailed by supporters and which critics perforate, pointing to errors and loopholes. That Analyst reports.
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has made public his assets declared months ago, and many Liberians principally his supporters describe the move as “part of his unwavering stand for transparency and aversion to corruption and graft”.
In an Executive Mansion release announcing this rather rare presidential action, Press Secretary Kula Fofana quotes the president as saying that the publishing his assets “is in fulfilment of his commitment to upholding the Constitution and laws of Liberia, in addition to his dedication to fostering a culture of accountability, integrity, and good governance.”
According to her, the President expressed his belief that by making his assets declaration publicly available, he is setting a compelling example for public officials and citizens alike, emphasizing the importance of accountability and ethical leadership.
The release further quotes that the Liberian Leader as saying that “this move underscores his vision for a Liberia where honesty and integrity form the bedrock of governance and where the principles of fairness and justice guide the nation’s progress”.
He further stressed, the release said, that his decision to disclose his assets is a clear demonstration of his belief in leading by example and his determination to create a government that operates with the highest standards of integrity.
“Transparency not only strengthens public trust but also underscores unyielding dedication to rooting out corruption and fostering a climate of openness and accountability,” the Liberian Chief Executive declared according to the EMansion release, further indicating that the President reiterated the hope that in continuing to champion transparency and ethical conduct, his actions will serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration for all Liberians, signaling an era of responsible and conscientious leadership that is committed in the nation.
What’s declared & published
As per template of the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) populated with information of his assets and published, the Liberian leader reported to the public that his is US$970.40, which what is derived by taking out his total liabilities, what he owes to creditors from his total asset US$1.17 million.
According to the president’s asset declaration document making rounds on the internet, the assets, meaning what is owns in property, real estate, earnings, cash on hand and cash in the bank is US$1.17 million.
The documents say the owes a total debt is US$201.5 to various creditors. This amount, taking from total asset of US$1.17 millions leaves him with the net wealth or value of US$970.4.
A further disaggregation of the president’s declaration includes assets that include cash on hand, US$5,750l; cash in bank as US$61,295.96; real properties as US$766,391.07; personal properties as US$212,400. Others simply termed as “other assets” amounts to US$126,082.57. It is all these that amounts to the total assets of US$1,171,919.60.
The President’s liabilities, what he owes debtors, as published is US$ US$201,500, subtracted from US$1,171,919.60, gives his bare worth of US$970,419.60.
In a related development, Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung, has also published his Assets Declaration “in pursuance of President Boakai’s lead.
According to a release issued Saturday, the move by the Vice President is in alignment with the President’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
“This effort underpins the President’s agenda to restore the rule of law captured in the ARREST agenda for national development,” a statement from the VP’s office stated.
Public Feedback, Critics’ Detection
The public disclosure of assets and liabilities particularly that of the President, has not being without critical analysis from independent and opposition pundits.
One of the quickest reactions came from Samuel P. Jackson, one of Liberia’s prolific analyst and development economists, who contended that those who populated the President’s asset declaration form were a let-down.
Taking to the Facebook page, Jackson wrote: “JNB is a good decent human being surrounded by a bunch of feckless irresponsible incompetents who cannot adequately fill out a form. Look at the professional manner Koung filled out his asset request with appendices detailing assets, liabilities and disaggregating who is owed, how much he owns and showing the value of each asset. Its location etc. Contrast that to the handwritten incomplete and totally false asset declaration by Boakai.
“Boakai signed his asset declaration as president on January 29. Koung signed his in late February. How come Koung listed his annual salary as 260k and Boakai only 13K. The difference is competence. Koung had his done professionally while rank amateurs did Boakai’s. Boakai will succeed but not with this team of incompetent zealots and crazies. Lawyers, accountants and other specialists should have reviewed the submission of the President. Shame on the zealots and incompetents.”
A Stalwart of the Coalition for Democratic Change, Aloysius Howe, also swiftly reacted, adding more holes in the president’s public declaration of his asset.
“I can see that the folks from the unity party are now on the defensive but they need to try harder,” he wrote on the social media page. “According to Mo Ali, Boakai is not wrong for stating that his gross annum income was $13,400.47USD because he Boakai filled in the Asset declaration form before the inauguration and this was the amount he was being paid as retired vice President by the CDC government.
He said Mo Ali, ruling Unity Party executive, “lied and is trying to justify and cover up for Boakai but it is late cause there are so many things on that form that point to the fact that Boakai did filled in the Asset declaration form after the inauguration.”
“How can they claimed that Boakai fill in the form before the inauguration but the form was signed on January 29,2024, one week after the inauguration and by then he was already president,” he said.
“How can they claim that Boakai fill in the Asset declaration form before the inauguration when it was notarized on February 6,2024 when he Boakai was already president.
Boakai knew exactly what he was doing and thought he could smartly get away with deceiving the Liberian people but the asset of the vice President which was published on his official Facebook page has exposed the plot of Boakai.”
Mo Ali, had earlier retorted to critics, stating that there is absolutely no error on JNB’s asset declaration form. He filled in his asset declaration form before inauguration. The US$13,400.47 was what JNB made annually as retired Vice President. So that’s what the Weah government paid our former Vice President: US$870.00 and LRD38,000.00. So our man dem need to find something else to run with.”
Another critic of the president’s action, simply known on Facebook as Marthaline Y, had this to say in an article titled, “President Joseph Boakai’s Asset Declaration Raises Eyebrows Over Phone Number Discrepancy”
She wrote: “After five months in office, President Joseph Boakai has finally declared his assets, revealing a net worth of approximately USD 1,095,561.46. The declaration, which outlines various income sources, assets, and liabilities, was anticipated by many as a crucial step in promoting transparency and accountability.
“However, an intriguing discrepancy has emerged from the declaration form posted on the Executive Mansion’s website. The contact numbers provided by President Boakai to the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) are registered under different names. The Orange number, 0776182216, is registered to “Amos Yollah Boakai” and the Lonestar MTN number, 0881738500, to “Amos Boakai.”
“Even more perplexing is that both numbers are linked to WhatsApp accounts displaying pictures not of the President, but of Amos Boakai. The Orange WhatsApp account features a photo of Amos Yollah Boakai, while the Lonestar MTN WhatsApp shows Amos Boakai and his toddler.”
According to her, this raises critical questions: “Why are the President’s official numbers, submitted during an asset declaration to the LACC, not in his name? And why is another individual, Amos Boakai, using these numbers for personal WhatsApp accounts? The revelation has sparked curiosity and speculation among the public and political analysts alike. Is this a simple administrative oversight, or does it point.”
For his part, Smith Melvin Eric, asserted: “So Boakai has requested his asset forms that he submitted to the LACC to make needed correction. He has admitted that there was an error in his gross annum salary that was published and many other things. He is now trying to do the needed correction to have it returned. Guess he caught himself after seeing Koung asset declaration that he published. This is so sad on the part of a whole country president but praise and worshipers them will want come argue with people over something they have no understanding about.
Inept president.”
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