Press Statement for Immediate Release

Liberia Makes Marginal Progress in 2025 CPI Report: Moves 1 Point Up the Ladder, Highlighting Need for Drastic Reforms to Significantly Improve Performance

Monrovia, Tuesday, February 10, 2026

Ladies and gentlemen of the press, the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) is pleased to release findings from the 31^st edition of Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2025, with a focus on how corruption is undermining global, regional, and national democracies. Since 1995, the Corruption Perception Index scores and ranks countries and regions based on how corrupt their public sectors are perceived. The score ranges from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean), where 0 equals the highest level of perceived public sector corruption and 100 equals lowest level of perceived public sector corruption, according to experts and business executives. In 2025, 182 Countries were targeted.

The CPI draws upon 13 credible data sources, which capture the assessment of experts and business executives on a number of corrupt behaviors in the public sector. These corrupt practices and behaviors include bribery, diversion of public funds and supplies, use of public office for private gain, procurement irregularities, state capture, and nepotism in the civil service. Also, some of the sources assess mechanisms available to prevent and address corruption in a country. Examples include government’s ability to enforce integrity mechanisms; financial, logistical, and moral support to anti-graft institutions; independence and viability of anti-graft institutions; the effective prosecution of corrupt officials and others accused of corruption; conflict of interest prevention; access to information; freedom of speech and the media; and legal protection for human rights defenders and anti-corruption campaigners, whistleblowers, witnesses, journalists, and investigators.

Liberia’s Score and Performance:

In the previous report, Liberia scored 27/100, which at the time represented a two-point improvement. In the latest report, Liberia is now ranked 136/182 among countries covered by CPI 2025, with a score of 28/100. This goes to say, for the second time in 2 years, Liberia moved 1 point up the CPI ladder, from a score of 27 in 2024 to 28 in 2025. Despite the fact that this latest ranking shows marginal progress in the new administration’s anti-corruption efforts, government needs to do more, as the country has maintained its status as one of the biggest global decliners since 2012, dropping by 13 points (9 points under former president Sirleaf and 7 points under the George Weah’s administration).

Despite the marginal progress, CENTAL is deeply concerned over Liberia’s consistent overall poor performance, especially her place among the world’s Worst Decliners. We acknowledge this year’s 1-point increase under the Boakai-Koung led government, which builds upon the 2-point increment in 2024; it shows marginal progress. However, we caution against any form of complacency, as immunity for corruption still remains high, public integrity institutions are still underfunded, the impact of the asset declaration process still unconvincing, and several sanctioned former officials and others who acquired illicit wealth yet to be fully investigated and prosecuted. More so, the recent arbitrary appointment at the Independent National Commission on Human Rights, contrary to the required transparent, inclusive and competitive process, somehow undermines the rule of law.

Regional Highlights and Trends:

On the regional front, the report found that Saharan Africa’s systemic corruption is severely undermining democracy, the civic space, press freedom and other accountability efforts. The Sub-Saharan Africa average is 32, the lowest in the world. The highest-scoring countries in the region are Seychelles (68), Cabo Verde (62), Botswana (58) and Rwanda (57). Notable improvements include, Cote d’Ivoire (43), Seychelles (72), and Tanzania (40). The sharpest declines were seen in Lesotho (37), Eswatini (27), and Liberia (both 28) which has fallen 13 points since 2012.

Global Highlights:

The CPI ranks 182 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption on a scale of zero (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean). The global average score stands at 42 out of 100, its lowest level in more than a decade, pointing to a concerning downward trend that will need to be monitored over time. The highest scoring region is Western Europe and the European Union with an average score of 64. The lowest scoring region is Sub-Saharan Africa with an average of 32.  The 32-average score of Sub-Saharan Africa shows unending worrisome picture of inaction against corruption in the region, as governments are doing very little to safeguard democracy and match their fine promises with tangible actions to end the culture of impunity for corruption and bad governance.

The vast majority of countries are failing to keep corruption under control: more than two-thirds – 122 out of 180 – score under 50. For the eighth year in a row, Denmark obtains the highest score on the index (89) and is closely followed by Finland (88) and Singapore (84). Countries with the lowest scores overwhelmingly have severely repressed civil societies and high levels instability like South Sudan (9), Somalia (9) and Venezuela (10).

Since 2012, 50 countries have seen their scores significantly decline in the index: those who dropped the most include Türkiye (31), Hungary (40) and Nicaragua (14).  Meanwhile, the biggest improvers were Estonia (76), South Korea (63) and Seychelles (68).

Although no country is free of corruption, countries topping the CPI have full democracies and share characteristics of open government, press freedom, strong parliament/legislature, civil liberties, and independent judiciary. Meanwhile, countries at the bottom are characterized by widespread impunity for corruption; poor governance; weak parliament and oversight bodies, poorly-supported and underperforming anti-graft institutions, among others.

Recommendations:

The Marginal progress is noted, but more decisive actions are needed to realize significant improvement on the CPI and other key governance indicators. The 1-point increment in 2025, compared to 2-point increment in 2024 give an indication that President Boakai reduced his anti-corruption speed, instead of accelerating and being revolutionary to achieve greater impacts.

Government must be intentional about ending impunity for corruption and improving governance by ensuring greater oversight and accountability of state-owned enterprises; evidence-based allocation and transparent use of the national budget and other public resources; establishment of the specialized anti-corruption court; adequately financing and demanding improved performance from anti-graft institutions; addressing corruption and other abuses in the judiciary; strengthening legislative accountability and oversight;  ensuring greater transparency and meaningfully civil society and citizens’ participation in government’s decisions.

Finally, we applaud individual citizens, journalists, activists and other groups and individuals who have been vocal against corruption and bad governance in Liberia, especially over the last two years. We encourage more demands for transparency and accountability from Government, especially from President Joseph N. Boakai, Speaker Richard N. Koon, Senate Pro-Tempt Nyonblee Karngar Lawrence, and Chief Justice Yamie Q. Gbeisay ho have with the greatest collective responsibility to shape the country anti-corruption efforts in the right direction.

Signed:

Anderson Miamen,

0886818855/0776391481

CENTAL Heightens Awareness to Improve Transparency in Service Delivery in Margibi, Bong, and Grand Bassa Counties

Even though there exist County Service Centers (CSC) across Liberia to increase access to critical services like the acquisition of birth and marriage certificates, among others, many locals are rarely aware of their existence, leading to low access rates. It was against this backdrop that the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), as part of its Strengthening Political Governance and Accountability in Liberia Project funded by the Embassy of Ireland in Liberia, conducted a series of engagements with community dwellers and stakeholders in Margibi, Bong, and Grand Bassa Counties.

The project is being implemented by a consortium of three civil society organizations—the Center for Democratic Governance (CDG), Naymote Liberia, and the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL)—with a focus on improving public service delivery, local governance, democracy, and accountability in the sectors of health and education.

The engagements, which occurred from 18^th to 23^rd January 2026, were, amongst many others, intended to promote transparency in local service delivery and support national anti-corruption efforts by increasing education around ways to access services and platforms available to report corruption.

Throughout the engagements, the different stakeholders expressed the need for continuous engagement to foster accountability and transparency in local service delivery, inclusion, and governance. Also, the need for continued national efforts to support local governance was reemphasized.  

“We are grateful to you for the partnership and efforts in the promotion of local service delivery, inclusion, and governance. Through continued collaboration and engagements, the narratives will change,” said Clinton Sayleh, Coordinator, Grand Bassa County Service Center.

For his part, Arthur Crawford, Coordinator of the Bong County Service Center, acknowledged the continued engagements through capacity-building training, community outreach, material support (suggestion boxes and Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials), and encouraged staff members of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, National Identification Registry, Ministry of Transport, Bureau of Vital Statistics, Center for National Documents and Records Agency, and other Ministry, Agency and Commissions (MACs) to be more proactive in service delivery and local governance.

During the engagements, members of the county councils, including the coordinators of the service centers, were encouraged to share their work plans and confronted on ways of possible collaboration to promote local service delivery and support local governance efforts.

“While we continue to appreciate the different partnerships for the continued support of local governance, we should not be complacent in engaging citizens about the promotion of local governance and inclusion,” Nancy T. Bryant, Chairperson of the Grand Bassa County Council, stated.

These engagements were not unique to the coordinators and staff of the service centers and county council members, it also triggered down to local community dwellers. These outreach engagements gathered at least fifty (50) participants during each engagement. Participants, including youth, women, men, religious leaders, and persons with disabilities, gathered in palava huts and open spaces to listen and participate in issues of education, health, service delivery, and anti-corruption.

Based on the different testimonies gathered from the community dwellers, the team committed to increasing advocacy for improvement in service delivery and highlighted its support to education and health as a priority for the remote communities.

Torwon F. Gensee, CENTAL’s Project Coordinator, expressed concerns over the quality of services in the education sector, especially in rural areas.

Challenges and recommendations emanating from these engagements were welcoming, as the team prepares to proactively engage stakeholders and citizens on improving service delivery, local governance, and anti-corruption efforts through collaboration and advocacy.

Press Release

CENTAL Lauds GoL’s Ongoing Anti-corruption Reform Efforts, But Calls for Increased Actions to Achieve Greater Positive Results

Monrovia, Wednesday, January 28, 2026 -  Distinguished ladies and gentlemen of the press, welcome to our office. Thank you for being a great partner in our shared desire to promote good governance and the culture of transparency and accountability in Liberia. On Monday, January 26, 2026, members of the Legislature convened as President Joseph N. Boakai delivered his third State of the Nation Address. Citizens and foreigners alike listened attentively to the address, eager to grasp the progress made to date as well as the challenges confronting the country’s forward march. For us in the governance and anti-corruption space, we were keen on the state of corruption and overall governance and are glad that those areas were reflected.

In his address, the Liberian leader recounted efforts made to promote the culture of transparency and strengthen the fight against corruption. Of notable mention was a requirement for heads of institutions to sign performance contracts and comply with clearly-defined standards as part of a newly-established Performance Management and Compliance System. In relation to efforts made in addressing the culture of impunity for corruption, the Liberian leader announced that the Liberia Anti-corruption Commission (LACC) secured 11 indictments, obtained two convictions, and had one acquittal. These, he said, were in addition to four ongoing prosecutions, suspension and dismissal of officials involved in misconduct and the strengthening of asset declaration rules, amongst others.

Ladies and gentlemen of the press, CENTAL welcomes the many positive interventions made by the Boakai administration in addressing the menace of corruption, including the announcement that the General Auditing Commission (GAC) completed 94 of 105 audits, with specific focus on the Domestic Debt Audit from 2018 to 2023, which rejected over US$704 million in unsupported claims; compliance with GAC’s audit recommendations rising from 13 percent in 2024 to 37 percent in 2025; and a near-complete system audit of the House of Representatives covering the period 2021 through 2024. CENTAL notes further that these interventions, including efforts by the Public Procurement and Concessions Commission (PPCC) to expand electronic procurement system to over 50 public entities, reflect progress made in the fight against corruption (though marginal).

While we acknowledge these initial positives in a collective desire to tackle corruption, we wish to stress the many lingering gaps and the need for increased political will and actions to attaining greater positive outcomes.

For example, the government is yet to establish the specialized anti-corruption court to help timely adjudicate corruption cases and hold corrupt persons accountable as well as remove the five-year statute of limitation affecting the prosecution of corruption cases, and the slow pace of the recovery of stolen financial and non-financial assets.   We would like to see timely establishment of the specialized anti-corruption corrupt, removal of the statute of limitation on corruption cases, and the Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce (ARPRT) living up to its true mandate by recovering in-country and oversea-based stolen government assets, including funds and real and personal properties. We acknowledge the legal challenge that somehow affected the work of the Task Force, following its constitution. However, more than one year of full operation is substantial period to make significant impacts, in the wake of multiple targeted sanctions by the United States Government of several former government officials for significant corruption, coupled with several GAC audit reports that implicated several individuals for corruption and other financial abuses. We wish to see a more robust, well-financed and an independent Asset Recovery Task Force that collaborates with key actors to achieve key results and make fraud in government and illicit-wealth accumulation issues of the past in Liberia.

Ladies and gentlemen of the press, even as we applaud the pace of completion of financial and other audits, we have witnessed an unconvincing approach by government actors, especially the Public Account Committees of the Legislature, to expeditiously review and hold those implicated fully accountable. When you have findings from critical audits stockpiled on the desk of members of the legislature and the president without the required actions, it affects accountability of those implicated and also renders inconsequential the efforts of the GAC. Such vital accountability framework must work and produce for the Liberia, as the trend of key donors’ withdrawal of support presents a more compelling need for Liberia to judiciously allocate and expend its domestic resources. Also, review and oversight processes of the legislature must be robust, transparent and inclusive, ensuring that there is active and meaningful stakeholders’ participation in their activities, including the review of Concession Agreements, deliberations on vital bills and other processes that border on citizens’ interest.

In the same vein, we are deeply concerned about the Liberia Anti-corruption Commission’s (LACC) inability to release an asset verification report, more than two years after several officials of government declared assets, incomes and liabilities with the Commission, in line with the country’s asset declaration regime. From what we see so far, the LACC is still heavy on demanding declaration rather than verifying those assets already declared to identify fraud or discrepancies and hold people accountable.   This is not the true intent of the asset declaration process, whereby LACC cannot produce a single publicly available verification report on exit declarations of officials of the Weah-led administration as well as those of the current regime. We strongly encourage LACC to do the needful, as Liberians more interested in the outcomes of the asset declaration process, rather mere reporting on the number of declarants/compliant officials.

In conclusion, we would like to highlight that success in the fight against corruption is mostly measured by tangible outcomes deriving from interventions and not mere initiation of those processes themselves. Civil society will remain constructively engaged with government, independently monitor budget implementation and other processes and hold state institutions fully accountable to produce tangible results for the public. Meanwhile, we wish to reiterate that Liberians deserve greater transparency and accountability from their government and more impactful development and other productive activities that match the enormous resources of the country. To this end, we strongly urge the Liberia Anti-corruption Commission, Internal Audit Agency and other anti-graft bodies to show more concrete impacts from their activities. While civil society, media and citizens push government for more resources to these integrity institutions, they have to live up to expectation by exceptionally delivering and showing impacts for their current budgetary and other support. More so, the President, Legislature and the Judiciary must better coordinate and ensure that the country’s anti-corruption and integrity building efforts are more independent, robust, citizens’ driven, and impactful in delivering the needed dividends for the people.

Thanks.

Signed:

The Management.

Press Statement for Immediate Release

CENTAL Launches Research Report on County Social Development Fund (CSDF) Projects in Six Counties

--Study Reveals Both Progress and Weaknesses in CSDF Implementation

Monrovia, Wednesday, December 17, 2025 - Distinguished ladies and gentlemen of the press, welcome to our office. Thank you for being a great partner in our collective quest to promote good governance and the culture of integrity in Liberia. 

Ladies and gentlemen of the press, for years, counties have had access to County Social Development Funds (CSDF). The CSDF comprises payments by concession companies for the benefit of counties in which they operate (i.e. social development funds) and budgetary allocations by national government intended to spur local development (i.e. county development funds). This financing module has been a consequential pillar upon which people living in communities deprived of schools, medical facilitates and other infrastructures reap the benefits of their natural endowment or resources.

As you may be aware, with funding from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), through the Embassy of Sweden in Liberia, CENTAL is implementing the National Integrity Building and Anti-Corruption Program in Monteserrado, Grand Bassa, Rivercess, Bomi, Gbarpolu, Bong, and Nimba Counties. A key activity of the program is the Open Expenditure Initiative (OEI), through which we conduct budget forums; monitor infrastructure and other projects; assess the inclusiveness and transparency of decision-making around project selection, award, and implementation; and the overall impacts of the funds on citizens, including women, youths, and persons with special needs. Also, we track associated challenges, disbursement patterns of projects funds, citizens’ access to expenditure and other essential information and advocate for improved and inclusive management of the funds.

Over the years, these engagements have identified successes, but at the same time uncovered several inadequacies with the appropriation, disbursement and implementation of the CSDF projects.

Ladies and gentlemen of the press, CENTAL is pleased to release key findings of its 2025 Research Report on the CSDF titled: “Open Expenditure: Examining CSDF Projects In Six Counties.” projects funded through the County Social Development Funds. The research was conducted in June 2025, through field visits in six counties - Nimba, Bong, Grand Bassa, Bomi, Rivercess, and Gbarpolu Counties where the team assessed overall effectiveness of the CSDF. The research team visited over thirty (30) project sites, including schools, hospitals, markets, bridges, and administrative buildings; conducted interviews with county authorities; and consulted community representatives.

Amongst others, the research revealed both visible progress and persistent challenges in the management of CSDF projects. In alignment with relevant priorities of the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, Citizens acknowledged the construction of new schools, renovation of town halls, and improvement in health facilities. However, they raised concerns about incomplete works, slow implementation, and limited inclusion of vulnerable groups and voices. Findings show that Communities were largely excluded from decision-making, having limited access to information on disbursements, which affects their ability to track project implementation and demand accountability, where necessary.  The report also found that CSDF funding were applied toward administrative buildings, government facilities, and other administrative operations rather than community-centered development.

 Highlight of key findings:

Ladies and gentlemen of the press, CENTAL is pleased to present a snippet of key findings including inadequacies contained in the research;

• Centralization of Local Development- Despite its goal of promoting local development, CSDF implementation remains highly centralized, with much of the funding spent on government infrastructure in county capitals. This limits benefits to rural communities, a trend particularly evident in Grand Bassa, Nimba, and Bong Counties, where communities receive little direct impact from CSDF projects.

• Contract Management and Scope Control- The Jawajeh Town Hall project in Bomi County highlights weak contract management, where unauthorized contract changes increased costs and left the project incomplete for years.

• Contractor Oversight and Child Protection Compliance – In Gbarnga, Bong County, children were observed working at a school construction site, violating the Children’s Law of 2011 and exposing weak contractor oversight, until county authorities intervened. In contrast, the completed Fenlah Town Hall in Bong County shows how effective oversight fosters community pride and ownership.

• Value for Money and Prioritization- Across the six counties, CSDF funds were spread across many sectors, weakening impact and leaving projects under-resourced. In Nimba County, a completed youth center in Bunadin lacked basic amenities, illustrating how infrastructure without operational support limits actual and long-term benefits.

• Inclusion of Persons with Disability- Most CSDF-funded facilities lacked accessibility features, limiting benefits for persons with disabilities despite engineers’ assurances. In Nimba County, disability advocates welcomed limited support but stressed that true inclusion remains absent from project design and implementation.

• County Councils and County Administrations Capacity and Relations- Relations between County Councils and administrations were generally cordial in most counties, though tensions emerged in Rivercess due to resource constraints. Across all six counties, councils face serious capacity gaps, including unfilled support offices, lack of stipends, and limited logistics, weakening their ability to effectively oversee CSDF projects.

• Procurement Controls- Procurement and payment practices under the CSDF varied considerably across the counties, reflecting uneven systems of oversight and accountability. Some counties reported stricter approval processes and phased payment arrangements designed to prevent project abandonment and improve value for money. Others, however, faced severe funding constraints and uncertainty, relying on anticipated concession revenues that had not yet been transparently disclosed.

Ladies and gentlemen of the press, based on the findings gathered, the research recommends the following:  

• Rather than spreading resources thin, counties should prioritize fewer, high-impact projects that can be fully completed and functional, linking construction with necessary operational support. Accessibility features must be mandatory in all CSDF projects and integrated from the design stage, with inputs from disability organizations to ensure inclusion.

• County Councils need stronger institutional support, including staff, stipends, and logistics, to fulfill their mandate under the Local Government Act of 2018. Partnering with professional bodies and capacity development institutions can build technical capacity and improve CSDF planning, monitoring, and accountability.

• Ministry of Finance and Development Planning should prioritize timely release of CSDF allocations and concession contributions. Counties should continue using payment control mechanisms, such as partial disbursement linked to work completion, but these must be balanced with predictable schedules to maintain momentum and prevent unnecessary delays.
• Structured county-level monitoring mechanisms should be institutionalized, with active involvement of County Councils, civil society, and community representatives, including women and youth. This will ensure oversight is regular, participatory, and independent of external actors.

• Finally, stronger cooperation is needed between the Ministry of Internal Affairs, County Administrations, County Councils, and civil society actors such as CENTAL. Regular dialogues and joint planning will help align priorities, address bottlenecks, and sustain accountability.

The full report can be accessed on our website: www.cental.org.lr and our social media pages using our full name: Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia

Thanks.

Signed:

The Management.

                                                                       Press  Release

CENTAL, WONGOSOL, Present Findings of a Research on Local Governance and Service Delivery in Liberia

Monrovia, December 12, 2025, – The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) in partnership with the Women NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL), with support from the UN Women Liberia on Friday, December 5, 2025, presented findings of a research report on assessing local governance and service delivery in Liberia.

The research, conducted in four (4) counties in November 2025, offers a comprehensive analysis of citizens’ perceptions of local governance, service delivery, and participatory development in Liberia. The report, amongst others, seeks to shape policy discussions, and mobilize collective efforts for governance reform and accountability, in line with the government of Liberia’s national development agenda –the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development and UN Women’s priority of promoting inclusive, transparent, and gender-responsive governance.

In his remarks during official launch of the report in Monrovia, Hon. Emmanuel Wheinyue, Assistant Minister for Research and Development Planning at the Ministry of Local Government, formerly the Ministry of Internal Affairs, described the report as a critical tool for increased policy intervention to improving service delivery across Liberia. On behalf of the ministry, he committed to use findings of the report as tools for policy intervention aimed at promoting inclusive, accountable, and impactful public service delivery, especially at the local level.

Conducted in November 2025 through a structured Kobo Collect questionnaire administered by trained volunteers and researchers, the research engaged 385 respondents, comprising 183 females (or 48 percent) and 202 males (or 52 percent), across diverse demographic and social categories. A majority of respondents, 54 percent, were youth under the age of 35, with private citizens, youth groups, and women’s groups forming the largest categories.

Presenting a summary of the report findings, CENTAL’s Project Lead, C. Rogget Chea, highlighted a persistent gap between the promise of decentralization and the lived experiences of citizens. He revealed that governance structures such as County Councils and County Service Centers are recognized, but remain constrained by limited transparency, weak responsiveness, limited financing, and inadequate inclusion of marginalized groups and voices.

 However, he emphasized that increased evidence-based advocacy and capacity building for citizens and the presence of the media, civil society, and community-based organizations provide a foundation for building more inclusive and accountable governance and improved service delivery in Liberia. UN Women Liberia Program Officer, Leeneh Y. Kiamu, highlighted the need for increased collaborative efforts towards the promotion of decentralization, transparency, responsiveness and the involvement of women groups and persons with disabilities.  

The report highlighted challenges confronting the County Service Centers, as 25% of respondents rated their services as transparent, and over a quarter considered them effective. Also, women, youth, and persons with disabilities were consistently rated as having moderate to very low involvement in decision-making processes. Additionally, 69% of respondents rated advocacy and capacity efforts as strong or very strong, with more than half of respondents admitting to have attended meetings organized by civil society organizations. Awareness of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) was reported to be extensive at 87%, while confidence in advocacy effectiveness was mixed.

The report recommends more capacity building efforts for citizens, civil society, media and other groups on gender, decentralization, and good governance; increased sensitization and evidence-based advocacy by civil society and community based organizations; the provision of support and mentorship for women, youths, and persons with disabilities to participate in local governance and hold their leaders accountable; stronger government-cso partnership in supporting decentralization and other efforts; and adequate financing of County Councils, County Service Centers and other decentralized structures to improve accountability and public service delivery.

The research was conducted as an activity under the project titled, “Enhancing Citizen’s Participation in Local Governance funded by UN Women Liberia through the Peace Building Fund, implemented being implemented by the Women’s NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) and the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL). The research was validated with citizens in the project counties and launched to key stakeholders represents a critical step toward strengthening citizen participation, enhancing service delivery, and advancing inclusive governance reforms across Liberia.

                                                                                                                                 -End -

Press Release

CENTAL, WONGOSOL, Present Findings of a Research on Local Governance and Service Delivery in Liberia

Monrovia, December 8, 2025 – The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) in partnership with the Women NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL), with support from the UN Women Liberia, on Friday, December 5, 2025, presented findings of a research report on assessing local governance and service delivery in Liberia.

The research, conducted in four (4) counties in November 2025, offers a comprehensive analysis of citizens’ perceptions of local governance, service delivery, and participatory development in Liberia. The report, amongst others, seeks to shape policy discussions and mobilize collective efforts for governance reform and accountability, in line with the government of Liberia’s national development agenda—the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development—and UN Women’s priority of promoting inclusive, transparent, and gender-responsive governance. 

In his remarks during the official launch of the report in Monrovia, Hon. Emmanuel Wheinyue, Assistant Minister for Research and Development Planning at the Ministry of Local Government, formerly the Ministry of Internal Affairs, described the report as a critical tool for increased policy intervention to improve service delivery across Liberia. On behalf of the ministry, he committed to using findings of the report as tools for policy intervention aimed at promoting inclusive, accountable, and impactful public service delivery, especially at the local level.

Conducted in November 2025 through a structured Kobo Collect questionnaire administered by trained volunteers and researchers, the research engaged 385 respondents, comprising 183 females (or 48 percent) and 202 males (or 52 percent), across diverse demographic and social categories. A majority of respondents, 54 percent, were youth under the age of 35, with private citizens, youth groups, and women’s groups forming the largest categories.

Presenting a summary of the report findings, CENTAL’s Project Lead, C. Rogget Chea, highlighted a persistent gap between the promise of decentralization and the lived experiences of citizens. He revealed that governance structures such as County Councils and County Service Centers are recognized but remain constrained by limited transparency, weak responsiveness, limited financing, and inadequate inclusion of marginalized groups and voices.

However, he emphasized that increased evidence-based advocacy and capacity building for citizens and the presence of the media, civil society, and community-based organizations provide a foundation for building more inclusive and accountable governance and improved service delivery in Liberia. UN Women Liberia Program Officer, Leeneh Y. Kiamu, highlighted the need for increased collaborative efforts towards the promotion of decentralization, transparency, responsiveness, and the involvement of women's groups and persons with disabilities.  

The report highlighted challenges confronting the County Service Centers, as 25% of respondents rated their services as transparent, and over a quarter considered them effective. Also, women, youth, and persons with disabilities were consistently rated as having moderate to very low involvement in decision-making processes. Additionally, 69% of respondents rated advocacy and capacity efforts as strong or very strong, with more than half of respondents admitting to have attended meetings organized by civil society organizations. Awareness of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) was reported to be extensive at 87%, while confidence in advocacy effectiveness was mixed.

The report recommends more capacity-building efforts for citizens, civil society, media, and other groups on gender, decentralization, and good governance; increased sensitization and evidence-based advocacy by civil society and community based organizations; the provision of support and mentorship for women, youths, and persons with disabilities to participate in local governance and hold their leaders accountable; stronger government-cso partnership in supporting decentralization and other efforts; and adequate financing of County Councils, County Service Centers and other decentralized structures to improve accountability and public service delivery.

The research was conducted as an activity under the project titled “Enhancing Citizen’s Participation in Local Governance,” funded by UN Women Liberia through the Peace Building Fund, implemented being implemented by the Women’s NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) and the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL). The research was validated with citizens in the project counties and launched to key stakeholders, representing a critical step toward strengthening citizen participation, enhancing service delivery, and advancing inclusive governance reforms across Liberia.

International Anti-Corruption Day – December 9

Distinguished guests, fellow young people, ladies and gentlemen:

Today, we join the world to reflect on a challenge that threatens our development, dignity, and democracy. This year’s global theme calls on us to unite with young people to build a future rooted in integrity, and our national sub-theme reminds us that this fight must reach beyond Monrovia into every village, community, and county.

Global Theme: ‘Uniting with Youth against Corruption: Shaping tomorrow’s Integrity’

Sub-Theme: ‘Decentralizing the Fight against Corruption; Mobilizing Rural Youth to Demand Accountability and Better Service Delivery’

 before we point fingers upward, we must face an uncomfortable truth: the foundation of corruption is the mindset of the people.

Transparency International defines corruption as the “abuse of entrusted power for private gain.” Yet corruption does not begin in high offices. It begins with small wrongs we justify, shortcuts we celebrate, and a culture that elevates corrupt individuals simply because we expect favors in return. We “name and shame,” but often, we praise, elect, and empower the very people we accuse.

This is why accountability is not only a government problem, it starts with us.

EXAMINING THE SYSTEM

Before we demand accountability, we must ask:

• Are systems in place?
• How effective are they?
• Who monitors them?
• And when they fail, who do we run to?

But equally important is another question we must ask ourselves: Are our own hands free from the cookie jar?

We criticize public officials, yet corruption lives in our homes, schools, communities, and institutions.

• Some civil society organizations issue blank receipts.
• Some journalists collect “carto.”
• Some religious leaders sell anointing oil for prosperity.
• Some community leaders receive money meant for the people but never report it.

If we must demand accountability from the top, then we must practice accountability at the bottom. We cannot clean the nation without first cleaning our corners.

CORRUPTION AND SERVICE DELIVERY

Corruption affects education, health care, agriculture, justice, and infrastructure. But systems themselves are not corrupt, people build systems, and mindsets sustain them.

A corrupt system exists because:
Someone approved the wrong contract.
Someone inflated a budget.
Someone diverted public funds.
And someone else stayed silent.

This is why decentralization matters. When rural youth are empowered to question, monitor, and demand accountability, corruption has nowhere to hide.

The County Service Centers (CSCs), created in 2015, were designed to bring government services closer to the people. By presidential directive, 40% of revenue generated by each CSC should remain in the county for operations.

But are we accessing these services without hindrance? Are we tracking how that 40% is used?

Too often we celebrate leaders based on what they give us personally rather than what they deliver for society. We honor titles instead of honoring the true heroes, the charcoal sellers, pepper sellers, market women, and young hustlers who keep our communities alive.

When politicians buy support with personal money, they enter office indebted to everyone except the citizens. And how do they repay? By exploiting the system meant to provide services to the people.
Corruption becomes systematic, not by accident, but by design, sustained by our silence.

WHY YOUTH?

Liberia has a youthful population, about 63% under age 25 and nearly 70% under age 35. Youth make up roughly half of registered voters. This makes young people powerful agents of change.

But are we asking the hard questions?

The 2025 national budget is US$880,661,874.

• How much of that is allocated to Margibi?
• How much goes to health, education, sanitation, roads, and youth development?
• How are county sitting representatives selected?
• Why are schools charging extra graduation fees not approved by the Ministry of Education?

These questions are not for lawmakers alone; they are for every young person.

If we do not ask, rooms remain silent.
If we do not ask, budgets pass unnoticed.
If we do not ask, corruption continues unchecked.

If young people in Monrovia can demand accountability for justice, health care, and governance, then young people in rural counties must do the same. That is why local government structures exist to bring oversight closer to the people.

CONCLUSION

 The fight against corruption will not be won by laws alone, institutions alone, or speeches alone. It must be won through mindset change, community involvement, and personal accountability.

Let this be the generation that refuses to celebrate corrupt individuals.
Let this be the generation that honors true heroes, the hardworking mothers, fathers, teachers, market women, and honest public servants.

Corruption is not a distant enemy; it is a daily test of conscience.

If we unite as youth, decentralize the fight, demand accountability, insist on quality service delivery, and challenge the system from the community level upward, then we will not only talk about integrity, we will shape it, build it, and live it.

Together, we can shape tomorrow’s integrity.

Thank you.

Press Statement for Immediate Release

CENTAL Welcomes Liberia’s MCC Scorecard Progress, Urges Stronger Actions Against Corruption and Declining Indicators

Monrovia, Tuesday, November 18, 2025, - Distinguished ladies and gentlemen of the press, a warm welcome to our office. Thank you for being a great partner in our collective quest to promote good governance and the culture of integrity in Liberia. 

Ladies and gentlemen of the press, as you may be aware, the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is an independent U.S. government agency working to reduce global poverty through economic growth. Recently, on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, MCC released its fiscal year (FY) 2026 country scorecards for Liberia, with the country passing 12 out of 22 performance indicators, including the indicator on “control of corruption”. CENTAL welcomes and applauds the Liberian Government for this positive development. However, the score of 56 percent on the control of corruption indicator shows that more institutional, legal, and enforcement-driven reforms are required to achieve lasting progress and avoid regression. Indeed, we cannot be complacent, as impunity for corruption remains high, and far more political will and prosecution efforts are needed to hold the corrupt fully accountable. In addition to the control of corruption, the country also passed key performance indicators such as fiscal policy (for the first time since 2007), inflation, trade policy, gender in the economy, land rights and access, access to credit, health expenditure, rule of law, immunization rates, and political rights. This is highly commendable.

Yet, the report highlighted that the country failed 10 indicators, including civil liberties, government effectiveness, primary education expenditures, natural resource protection, business start-up, employment opportunities, access to justice, girl’s primary education completion rate, child health, and regulatory policy.

CENTAL applauds the government of Liberia for progress in controlling corruption, as highlighted by the MCC scorecard, including efforts made in preventing and detecting corruption. As we welcome Liberia’s continuous passage of this key indicator, we wish to highlight that the 2025 score of 57 is a marginal decline in score for the control of corruption, as opposed to 2024 where the country scored 59. Other declines observed include fiscal policy, which dropped from 51 in 2024 to 41 in 2025, trade policy from 63 in 2024 to 21 in 2025, and gender in the economy from 84 in 2024 to 76 in 2025. These drops in score signify the need for robust concerted efforts by government actors to ensure improved systems and policies to improve the lives of citizens. 

Ladies and gentlemen of the press, we welcome the overall marginal strides being made in the fight against corruption, as reflected in the Transparency International’s (TI) 2024 Corruption Perception Index (CPI), with Liberia scoring 25 in 2023 and 27 in 2024 respectively; CENTAL’s 2024 State of Corruption Report (SCORE), with a seven points decline in public perception about corruption and its pervasive nature, from 90 percent in 2023 to 83 percent in 2024; and the now successive passes in the MCC scorecard on control of corruption. However, wish to indicate that impunity for corruption remains very high, as many high-profile politicians and others accused of corruption are yet to be investigated and prosecuted, including those sanctioned by the US Government and implicated in several GAC’s audit reports.

We call for more political will, adequate support to integrity institutions, non-discriminatory actions against persons accused of corruption, and greater civil society and citizens’ involvement in the process. Also, we call for timely establishment of the specialized court to prosecute corruption cases, as well as judicial and legislative reforms and accountability, including continuous financial and other audits of the Legislature and Judiciary, as seen with the executive branch. Moreover, the government must make information about projects funded by state resources timely available to the public, including the controversial ongoing alleged 10 Million USD presidential villa in the president’s hometown in Lofa County.

Indictment of Former Officials of Government

Ladies and gentlemen of the press, on November 8, 2025, the Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce issued indictments for multiple acts of corruption on officials of the erstwhile Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC)–led government, including Madam Finda Bundoo, former executive mansion chief of protocol, Thelma Duncan-Sawyer, former Deputy Minister for Administration, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and forty others. The charges include money laundering, economic sabotage, theft of property, misuse of public funds, criminal conspiracy, forgery and abuse of office – all in violation of the Public Procurement and Concession Act and the Public Financial Management Act.

We commend the Asset Recovery Taskforce for the bold step aimed at holding past leaders accountable for their stewardship. We think this is a step in the right direction in ensuring an end to the culture of impunity for corruption and other abuses. We urge the government to provide the support needed for the Taskforce to prosecute those indicted and speed up other investigations and possible indictments for those found wanting for corruption and other illegal acts. We also call for increased collaboration with the Liberia Anti-corruption Commission (LACC) to ensure speedy investigations. In the same token, we call on the taskforce to commence investigation into other suspicious activities happening in the current administration, including the alleged $10 million dollars ‘presidential palace” sprouting up in the home of President Joseph N. Boakai in Foya, Lofa County. When completed and the findings released, this investigation will promote transparency around the project and go a long way in allaying public speculation about the nature, scope, intent and ownership, including the source of funding.  It will also increase public confidence in on-going prosecution efforts as being characterized by transparency and impartiality.

In conclusion, we call on the Liberian Government, especially leaders in the executive, legislature and judiciary branches of government to accelerate support for the fight against corruption by adequately funding transparency institutions and efforts. This will empower them to robustly tackle and defeat corruption, the country’s worst enemy and threat to development. Also, we call for greater transparency around the Foya project, which is so far marred by secrecy and limited transparency.

Thanks.

Signed:

The Management.

PRESS STATEMENT FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CENTAL Wants GoL Make Full Disclosure in Alleged 10 Million USD Foya Presidential Villa

-Welcomes Chief Justice Son’s Resignation but …

Monrovia, Thursday, October 2, 2025 - Distinguished ladies and gentlemen of the press, thank you for coming. Thank you also for being a great partner in our shared quest to promote good governance and the culture of transparency and accountability in Liberia.

Lack of Transparency Around Alleged 10 Million USD Presidential Villa in Foya, Lofa County: A Cause for Concern

Ladies and gentlemen of the press, this week, Eddie Jarwolo, a renowned civil society leader and head of Naymote, broke news about the alleged construction of a 10 Million USD presidential villa in Foya, Lofa County, the hometown of president Joseph Nyumah Boakai. Journalists, civil society advocates, ordinary citizens, and others have since been concerned about the source of funding and other details surrounding the project. In response to Mr. Jarwolo’s Facebook post, Deputy Minister of Information, Culture Affairs, and Tourism, Hon. Daniel Sando, was quoted by the Daily Observer as saying, “There is no such presidential project.” What [he] knows is that it has something to do with the Mano River Union conference, given Foya’s geographical position at the border with Guinea and Sierra Leone.” In a bid to independently verify the information, interested individuals and groups separately reached out to the Mano River Union Secretariat. However, the body has since declined to directly speak to the matter, instead urging interested persons to seek documentary evidence from Deputy Minister Sando regarding his claim.

Fellow Liberians, we are yet to see any further response by the deputy spokesman of the Liberian government.Our review of the 2024 and 2025 approved national budgets shows that there is no such project earmarked under the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs or any other budget line. Several questions linger regarding the transparency and accountability of the project. What is the actual source of funding for the project? What are the specifications, and what economic benefits will it yield to the country? How come such a massive project is being undertaken in the hometown of the president, and only after his ascendancy to state power? How was the contractor selected?

CENTAL is deeply concerned about the lack of timely and detailed information on such a project.In the 2025 national budget, the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs outlined public communication and facilitating access to information as key achievements for fiscal year 2024. We wonder why such public communication and transparency and openness have not been extended to the massive project under review, in terms of providing clear and detailed information to the public about its source of funding, contractor selection process, and its rationale and economic value to the country and its people.

The Liberian people deserve to know if their resources are being used for the project. If their resources, through the national budget, are not involved with the construction, then what can possibly be the source of funding? Is the project being financed through corruption or money laundering? If not the President or the government, who could possibly be financing such a huge investment?

We call on the Liberian Government to provide detailed information about the project, as its continued silence, in the midst of multiple concerns, does not send a good message to the public about full compliance with public procurement and other laws and guidelines.Also, we call on the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) and the Asset Recovery Task Force to do the Liberian people the honor by launching a timely probe into such suspicious acquisition to further safeguard the public purse or interest. We await a timely report to the public on its outcomes.

Welcoming Chief Justice’s Son’s Resignation but…

Ladies and gentlemen of the press, on September 18, 2025, President Joseph N. Boakai nominated several individuals, including magistrates and associates, to fill vacancies within the judiciary branch of government. The nominees included Willeyon Gbeisay, son of Chief Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay, who was nominated to serve as Associate Magistrate at the Paynesville Magisterial Court. The nomination drew consternation from Liberians, including Judge Nancy Finda Sammy of the Trial Judges Association of Liberia, who, in a September 23, 2025, letter addressed to Chief Justice Gbeisay, held that the nomination violated the legal recruitment and training processes of the judiciary.

In his response, Chief Justice Gbeisay acknowledged that his son’s nomination was triggered by a recommendation he made to President Joseph N. Boakai but denied that his action of recommending his son for service in a branch of government he heads and or supervises and the subsequent nomination by President Boakai constitute any legal or ethical breach.CENTAL differs, as this is clear Nepotism, forbidden by the Code of Conduct for public officials. In section 1.3.16, the Code defines Nepotism as “when a public official appoints, employs, promotes, or recommends for advancement family members in any agency of Government or branch of Government in which he/she works.”A family member is defined in section 1.3.12 to include biological or adopted children of public officials and employees of government. Thus, the action of the Chief Justice to recommend his son to serve in a branch of government he does not only work in but also heads and supervises clearly constitutes Nepotism and a gross disregard for the code of conduct for public officials, which is applicable to the judiciary, legislature, and executive branches of government.

Ladies and gentlemen of the Press, while we welcome the resignation of the son of the Chief Justice, as announced by the Office of the President on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, we are of the view that such resignation does not remedy the misconduct on the part of the Chief Justice, especially so that Chief Justice Gbeisay brazenly defended such misconduct on public television, including going at lengths to humiliate and intimidate Judge Sammy, the President of the National Association of Trial Judges. We wonder how the Chief Justice would rule in a similar case of nepotism as a violation of the Code of Conduct when he himself sees no problem engaging in nepotistic conduct. Our laws provide sanctions for nepotism. In particular, section 9.8 of the Conduct provides that the penalties for nepotism include reprimand, suspension, demotion, or removal from employment and could include prohibiting the offender from working for Government for up to five (5) years. We therefore call on the Legislature to exact appropriate sanctions against the Chief Justice.

Further, we call for extreme care and caution in employment and other decision-making, such that the already low public confidence in the judiciary is not further dampened. Also, we call on President Boakai to lead by example and be true to his commitment to uphold the rule of law and move away from business as usual, including Nepotism, which has undermined accountability, transparency, and productivity in successive governments in Liberia.

Signed ______________

Management