-Liberia’s ranking of Liberia in Global Corruption Index suggests
By Augustine Octavius,augustineoctavius@gmail.com
The global anti-graft organization, Transparency International has placed Liberia at 137 out of 180 countries ranking on the latest corruption perception index released for 2019.
The Executive Director of the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia, Anderson Maimen, noted that this is an indicationthat ‘the government is unable to address entrenched culture of impunity and enforce anti-corruption laws and policies.’
President George Manneh Weah and his CDC government is now in its third year, after taking office on January 22, 2018.
Addressing a press conference in Monrovia, Mr. Maimen, noted that Liberia’s continuous under performance, especially its position among the worst decliners must claim the attention of the government.
According to him, it is regrettable to note that Liberia’s score significantly dropped to 28 four points down from 2018 score of 32.
“The country now ranks 137 out of 180 countries and sits further down the table compare to its 2018 rank of 120 out of 180,” Mr. Maimen added: “Liberia has joined the list of country significantly declining on the corruption perception index since 2012.,”
He called on the government to prioritize and vigorously fight against corruption because there can be no better time than now especially when the country’s economy is seriously challenged and the negative impacts of corruption are glaringly visible across the country
Meanwhile, CENTAL Executive Director has advanced a seven-count recommendation aimed at reversing the trend and improve Liberia’s standing in the region and globally.
Among other things, he recommended the scrupulous enforcement of existing global, regional and national laws for fighting against corruption in Liberia.
CENTAL Executive Director also stressed the need for government to commission a comprehensive audit of the past administration to ensure that those who embezzled public resources are identified and prosecuted.
Mr. Maimen also proposed that a timely implementation anti corruption commitments in the pro poor agenda especially the establishment of a specialized anti corruption court as well as the provision of prosecution power to the Liberia anti Corruption Commission.
CENTAL advised the government to address impunity through prosecution of allegedly corrupt officials of the current regime by bringing those linked to the 25 million United States Dollars mopping up exercise timely without fear and favor
Mr. Maimen called for increase in moral and financial support to public integrity institutions to operate fully and independently; noting: “continuous limited funding to public integrity institutions does not show strong commitment in dealing with corruption in the country.”