President Joseph Boakai has taken an unprecedented step in Liberia’s history by subjecting his own office, as well as key state institutions, to extensive audits. A first for a sitting head of state, which marks a radical break with the practices of the past.

The audit of the Office of the President, conducted by the General Audit Commission (GAC), is an unprecedented initiative. For the first time, a sitting president agrees to submit to the same control that he imposes on his employees. The Auditor General described this decision as « historic », stressing that the Head of State has chosen exemplarity rather than opacity.

Beyond the Presidency, President Boakai has ordered audits of the Central Bank of Liberia, the Judiciary and the Legislature. These institutions, long considered untouchable, are now subject to rigorous scrutiny of their financial management.

The investigations have brought to light systemic dysfunctions. The audit of government revenue, covering the period from July 2018 to December 2024, found discrepancies amounting to $91.8 million and L$12.7 billion. Commercial banks took up to 24 days to transfer the collected funds to the government, in violation of the required 24-hour deadlines. Unauthorized withdrawals and fraudulent reversion operations have also been identified.

These revelations confirm the extent of the opaque practices that have long characterized public financial management in Liberia. They fully justify President Boakai’s approach, which intends to definitively turn the page on impunity.

This initiative is part of a broader dynamic of responsible governance. The government has put in place additional anti-corruption mechanisms, including the Office of the Ombudsman, the Asset Recovery Task Force, and the process to establish a War Crimes and Economic Crimes Court. Property declaration requirements were imposed on all public servants, with suspensions and fines for violators.

The General Audit Committee honored President Boakai for creating an audit environment free from political interference and for ensuring adequate fiscal funding for the institution.

By opening his office to audit and demanding the same rigor across all institutions, President Boakai is sending a clear message that Liberia is turning the page on impunity and moving steadfastly towards transparent and accountable governance. A courageous step that, if continued, could well restore citizens’ trust in their institutions and inspire other countries in the region.

TheHatLady