Govts’ Fight against Corruption Vs Citizens Reactions | Commentaries

Before the 1980, April 12 coup d’état in Liberia, “Embezzlement” or “Misappropriation of public funds were generally heard, rather than “Corruption”. Though “Corruption” was a word long placed in various dictionaries, and was used in different countries around the world, but was not often used in Liberia as is used now, especially when government officials were caught in the act. 

It was frequently heard and used during and after the April 12, 1980, coup by officials in the Military Junta, the People Redemption Council (PRC). Officials of the PRC stated that amongst the many reasons why the True Whig Party (TWP) was dethroned, the primary reason was basically “Rampant Corruption”. 

Maybe, I might be wrong though, but from the coup’s era, “Corruption” has become usable in all sectors of the Liberian society, when dishonesty in the handling of money in the public or private cycle.

From that period, whenever an individual is found in an alleged corrupt act, they were arrested, charged, prosecuted and when found guilty, jailed. Of recent, “Rampant Corruption” as labelled in the PRC’s days, was declared “Public Enemy Number One” by former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf in 2005 and subsequently termed as “Vampire”.  I think we know who a “Vampire” is, a mythical creature that sustains itself by consuming human blood.

So, let’s look briefly at the word “Corruption”. It is the abuse of power or position for personal gain, often at the expense of the public or organization.  Corruption can occur in both public and private sectors, and involves actions such as bribery, embezzlement, nepotism, and   favoritism. 

Another definition of “Corruption” states that it is a form of dishonest or unethical conduct by a person entrusted with a position of authority, often to acquire personal benefits. 

Because of the above definitions, “Corruption in all forms is negative, as it undermines the rule of law, distorts economic and social systems, and fosters inequality and injustice, affecting the general good of the living standards of mankind.

But over the past 179 years, Liberians can now see how “Corruption” cuts across our country undermining its very growth and development. The religious and traditional communities have their stories as well as private institutions, with the biggest chunk of “Corruption” in the public sector – the Government.

Liberian Governments’ Efforts in Fighting Corruption

Why it is no secret that “Corruption” is widespread, and I am one hundred percent in agreement with former President Ellen Johnson – Sirleaf that indeed the menace is a “Vampire”, but there are steps being taken by past, immediate past and present governments, aimed to fight “Corruption”, through transparency and accountability as well as establishing numbers of anti-graft institutions in Liberia.

Amongst these efforts were the establishment of Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), General Auditing Commission (GAC), and Financial Intelligence Agency (FIA). Besides, the judiciary is being strengthened to operate independently, with adequate funding, legal authority, and technical capacity to investigate and prosecute corruption at all levels of government.

And the efforts got started under former President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, to George Mannah Weah and now Joseph Nyuma Boakai – led Administration. 

Citizens’ Reactions to the Fight against Corruption in Liberia

As you listen to various radio stations across the country, “Corruption” is highlighted. Politicians and religious leaders are all speaking the same language, and interestingly the ordinary people, themselves.

From across the divide, we all are calling for corrupt individuals, mainly in the public sector (government), to be prosecuted, if found in corrupt activities. We even suggest that such individuals be jailed, properties seized and money from the sale of these properties placed in government revenue because the money was intended for development and to improve the citizens’ livelihoods.  Sometimes we further suggest that they be publicly flogged, named and shamed. Because of their corrupt behaviors, our country is underdeveloped, we are denied basic social services, while our resources are being plundered for their personal benefits. 

But my conclusion is that citizens’ reactions to the governments’ fight against corruption are in two folds, which are confusing.  The first is a call for alleged corrupt individuals’s arrest, prosecution, imprisonment and sale of their properties, among others.

The second is when the individuals who are allegedly accused of “corruption”, pursued by the government to establish the facts, it is the ordinary citizens who earlier called for their prosecution will begin to term governments’ actions as: “A Witch Hunt”.

Citizens’ reaction to governments’ fight against corruption in Liberia then become paradoxical.  I say paradoxical because our statements seem to have two opposite ideas which do not make sense, but they might still be true.

Our statement and action are contradictory to governments’ fight against corruption. Under this administration, we are calling for prosecution, but when the tide turns, we then call it “witch hunt”, knowing the far-reaching implication of “corruption on the nation and the economy.

It damages the economy, erodes public trust, instills inequality and injustice, weak institutions, and environmental degradation. As our government presses forward in its fight against corruption, including the present and governments to come, let our (the citizens’) reactions not be paradoxical because of the danger corruption poses, affecting individuals, political parties and the entire nation, when money intended to better or to improve people’s wellbeing is used for personal benefit or particular group benefits.   

Battling corruption requires a multi-faceted approach involving systemic reforms, cultural change, and individual accountability, which the government is doing, and this has led me to write this article entitled: Governments’ Fight against Corruption Vs Citizens Reactions.