By Jerromie S. Walters
MONROVIA – The Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) has released the findings of the 2024 Corruption Perception Index (CPI), revealing that Liberia has made marginal progress by moving two points up the index ladder. However, the country remains among the worst global decliners.
The CPI, published annually by Transparency International since 1995, scores and ranks 180 countries based on perceived levels of public sector corruption. Scores range from 0 (highly corrupt) to 100 (very clean), with Liberia scoring 27 in 2024, up from 25 in 2023. Despite this slight improvement, Liberia’s ranking remains low at 141 out of 180 countries, cementing its position among the worst performers in Sub-Saharan Africa and globally.
CENTAL’s Executive Director, Anderson Miamen, expressed concern over Liberia’s consistently poor performance, particularly its status as one of the world’s worst decliners since 2014, having dropped by 10 points over the past decade. “While we acknowledge the two-point increase under the first year of the Boakai-Koung administration, we caution against complacency. Impunity for corruption remains high, and much more needs to be done to address systemic corruption,” Miamen stated.
The CPI draws on 13 data sources that assess corrupt practices such as bribery, diversion of public funds, nepotism, and state capture. It also evaluates mechanisms to prevent corruption, including the independence of anti-graft institutions, access to information, and legal protections for whistleblowers and journalists.
A Mixed Record
CENTAL commended President Joseph Boakai for taking some steps to address corruption, such as suspending and dismissing officials accused of malfeasance. The President’s decision to declare and publish his assets, incomes, and liabilities was also lauded as a positive move. However, CENTAL criticized the administration for failing to hold all accused officials accountable, raising concerns about partiality in its anti-corruption efforts.
“President Boakai’s failure to punish non-compliant officials raises questions about his ability to fully match his anti-corruption commitments with deeds,” Miamen noted. He emphasized the need for impartial and decisive action to rebuild public trust and strengthen Liberia’s anti-corruption framework.
CENTAL’s 2023 State of Corruption Report revealed that 90% of Liberians believe corruption is high in the country, with low confidence in the executive branch to tackle the problem. This public perception underscores the urgency of implementing comprehensive reforms to address systemic corruption and restore faith in governance.
Regional and Global Trends
Sub-Saharan Africa remains the lowest-scoring region on the CPI, with an average score of 33, well below the global average of 43. The region’s systemic corruption is severely undermining climate action and accountability efforts, with misappropriation, theft, and poor oversight of climate funds posing significant challenges.
Countries such as Seychelles (72), Cabo Verde (62), and Botswana (57) are among the region’s top performers, while Liberia, Gabon (27), and Eswatini (27) are among the sharpest decliners. Liberia’s score of 27 places it alongside countries like Equatorial Guinea (13), Eritrea (13), and South Sudan (8), which are among the most corrupt and vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
Globally, Denmark leads the index with a score of 90, followed by Finland (88) and Singapore (84). At the bottom of the index are South Sudan (8), Somalia (9), and Venezuela (10), all of which are plagued by conflict, weak institutions, and widespread impunity for corruption.
Recommendations for Liberia
CENTAL called on the Liberian government to take urgent and decisive action to address corruption, particularly in climate finance and governance. The organization urged President Boakai to implement reports and recommendations from the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), the General Auditing Commission (GAC), and civil society organizations.
“Officials accused of corruption must be investigated, suspended, dismissed, and prosecuted where necessary. Ending impunity is critical to rebuilding trust and ensuring accountability,” Miamen emphasized.
CENTAL also highlighted the importance of embedding anti-corruption measures in climate action efforts to protect funding and ensure that resources reach vulnerable communities. “Urgent action is needed worldwide, particularly in Liberia, to root out corruption that undermines climate action through theft, misuse of funds, and undue influence,” said Maíra Martini, Chief Executive Officer of Transparency International.
Calling for Collective Action
CENTAL applauded the efforts of journalists, activists, and civil society organizations in demanding transparency and accountability from the government. The organization encouraged Liberians to continue holding leaders accountable and pushing for meaningful reforms.
“Liberia can climb the CPI ladder and outperform other countries, but this requires sincere, holistic, and impartial anti-corruption efforts. President Boakai has the greatest responsibility to shape the country’s anti-corruption agenda and ensure that promises are matched with tangible actions,” Miamen concluded.
As Liberia grapples with systemic corruption and its impact on development, the findings of the 2024 CPI serve as a stark reminder of the work that lies ahead. The Boakai administration’s commitment to transparency and accountability will be critical in determining whether Liberia can break free from the cycle of corruption and impunity.
