President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. has made public his assets declaration as part of his unwavering stand for transparency and aversion to corruption and graft.
The President said his action is in fulfilment of his commitment to upholding the Constitution and laws of Liberia, in addition to his dedication to fostering a culture of accountability, integrity, and good governance.
The President expressed his belief that by making his assets declaration publicly available, he is setting a compelling example for public officials and citizens alike, emphasizing the importance of accountability and ethical leadership.
The Liberian Leader said this move underscores his vision for a Liberia where honesty and integrity form the bedrock of governance and where the principles of fairness and justice guide the nation’s progress.
He furthered that his decision to disclose his assets is a clear demonstration of his belief in leading by example and his determination to create a government that operates with the highest standards of integrity.
“Transparency not only strengthens public trust but also underscores unyielding dedication to rooting out corruption and fostering a climate of openness and accountability”, the Liberian Chief Executive declared.
The President reiterated the hope that in continuing to champion transparency and ethical conduct, his actions will serve as a beacon of hope and inspiration for all Liberians, signaling an era of responsible and conscientious leadership that is committed in the nation.
It can be recalled that the President declared his assets in the first few weeks following his inauguration.
For months, eyebrows were raised and critics abounded as President Joseph Nyuma Boakai faced criticism for delaying the public declaration of his assets. Critics, political commentators, and ordinary citizens alike speculated that the President’s hesitance was an attempt to avoid accountability.
However, on Friday, June 21, President Boakai disproved these perceptions by publicly publishing his assets, according to an Executive Mansion press release.
To provide a clearer understanding of the President’s assets, social justice advocate Martin Kollie penned a detailed breakdown. According to Kollie, President Boakai’s assets are as follow net worth of the President is in the tone of US$970.4,000, total assets is US$1.17 million; total debt is US$201.5,000, net worth after debt amounts to US$970,419.60.
Breakdown of Assets of the President’s net worth calculation: assets liabilities amounts to US$1,171,919.60-US$201,500-US$970,419.60.
Kollie clarified that income was excluded from the asset declaration, focusing solely on what President Boakai owns rather than his annual earnings, which amounts to US$43,400.47.
This explanation aims to serve as a guide for calculating the net worth of other public officials’ published assets.
Despite fulfilling his commitment to transparency, President Boakai’s declaration has faced scrutiny. Critics on social media like David Menjor questioned the accuracy and completeness of the published assets, particularly the modest amounts of cash on hand and in the bank, as well as the declared annual income. Menjor expressed doubts about the integrity of the data without uncompromising audits.
Others, like George D. Brooks and Timothy Brooks, raised concerns about the President’s declared income and the absence of certain assets, such as houses known to be owned by President Boakai, from the declaration. Jesse Mellen also found the declared income figure implausible for a President, suggesting it cast doubt on the entire declaration.
Edited June 23, 2024
