Press Release on Final Exit Declarations
Monrovia, Liberia – In a recent 2023 Transparency International Corruption Perception Index (CPI) for sub-Saharan Africa, Liberia scored 25 out of 100 on the CPI, a decline of 16 points. Consequently, Liberia has earned a revised rank of 145 out of 180 countries, ranked from least to most corrupt countries.
While initial reactions from this downgrade in rank spark concerns, it is important to note that from 2022 to 2023 Liberia saw the enactment of several key anti-corruption legislations; including a revised and amended 2022 LACC Act; a Whistleblower Act; a Witness Protection Act and amended & restated sections 5.2 and 10.2 of the National Code of Conduct; specific legislations set to improve Liberia’s CPI scores over time.
In his recent State of the Nation Address (SONA) held on January 29, 2024, the Liberian President, His Excellency, Joseph Boakai pledged unwavering support and desire to fight and uproot corruption in Liberia.
On December 12, 2023, the LACC in keeping with its mandate issued a press release mandating all appointed EXITING public officials (i.e. presidential appointees transitioning out of government because of the recent election), to declare their assets in accordance with Liberia’s asset declaration and verification regime, enshrined in the restated and amended 2022 LACC Act and Liberia’s National Code of Conduct as amended.
TODAY, the LACC formally ends its EXIT asset declaration exercise. The completion of this exercise is a milestone in Liberia’s vision to create a corruption-free society.
To date, the LACC has published listings of compliant and non-compliant officials following a staggered approach i.e. initial listing of institutions and declarants was published on November 28, 2023; a second listing was published on January 19, 2024; today, Thursday, February 15, 2024, a FINAL listing is hereby published. The published listings are available on the LACC’s official website.
Today’s press release concludes the EXITING public official’s asset declarations exercise.
Key statistics related to EXIT declaration:
- Two Hundred and Forty-Nine (249) EXITING public officials from Fifty-Six (56) Ministries, Agencies and Commissions (MACs) complied and filed asset declaration forms declaring their assets, liabilities etc.
- While Ninety-Four (94) EXITING public officials from Fifty-Six (56) (MACs) did not comply with LACC mandate.
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- All exiting officials from Nineteen (19) institutions did not comply with LACC’s mandate.
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- Note: Tenure officials were not required to comply with the LACC mandate, since they are not exiting government at this time.
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- Two (2) outgoing lawmakers from the Legislative Branch filed exit asset declarations with LACC.
Next Step – Entry Declarations:
Entry asset declarations are now ongoing. Public officials entering government are beginning to declare their assets or make financial disclosures. The LACC will begin to publish these listings to the public very soon.
We encourage all persons being appointed to come in and declare your assets in keeping with the law.
As a reminder to all public officials, asset declaration forms are available and can be downloaded from the LACC Website at: (www.lacc.gov.lr). Forms can also be obtained at the LACC’s offices on Tubman Boulevard, opposite the Sierra Leone Embassy.
Declarants can contact Patricia Barnaby, Assets Declaration & Verification Officer at +231 886 498 725 or pbarnaby@lacc.gov.lr for inquiries and assistance.
LACC expresses thanks and appreciation to all exiting public officials who complied with the mandate, but more importantly took the bold step to create a culture of integrity, transparency, and accountability in Liberia. The LACC looks forward to the cooperation of all incoming public officials.
