Saliho Donzo

Recent documents that have been made public to Liberians have shown that corruption is rampant in Liberian society. This has shocked many and Liberians from all walks of life are still wondering about remedies to this phenomenon.

When the “Iron Lady” took over the leadership of Liberia, many Liberians were pleased that the new team would bring joy to Liberians who have suffered many years of war. But unfortunately many are seeing the opposite on issues like corruption, which Sirleaf has declared as a “public enemy ” because it is so rampant in the country. For many this was a very bold step, which many people embraced. But, disappointingly indeed, we have been hearing about many cases of corruption since Madam Sirleaf took office. Here are a few examples:

The Snow Issue: There was a report that the the president gave $5,000.00 each to some representatives to remove Hon. Edwin Snow from the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives.

The Knuckle’s Scandal: a former ally of the president, Hon.Willis Knuckle, was found signing contracts on his own behalf impersonating Pres. Sirleaf.

The Auditor General of Liberia, John Morlu, said sometime ago that President Sirleaf’s government is three times more corrupt than the Taylor regime. Corruption has been reported in ministries such as Public Works, Education, the Liberian Telecommunication (LTC), and the Liberian Petroleum Refining company ( LPRC ). There are also reports of individuals faking signatures of the president to withdraw money from the Central Bank of Liberia.

Recently it has being made public that one of the preachers against corruption has been short-listed again on the national financial scandal list. He is said to have scammed over $300,000. If this is correct, then I think it is a mockery to the state because this honorable man has been giving public announcements on the dismissal of other members of the cabinet because of corruption. To see him entangled in such corrupt practices is mind-boggling.

Or is Liberia “elephant meat,” which anybody can come and chop off a piece and go because it is too big and unwieldy?

Now that this heinous cloud of corruption is over us many Liberians are asking themselves this simple question: What is the way out? I strongly believe that there are ways out. Below are some possible solutions:

1. Nationalism: We must at all times demonstrate love and devotion to our country. This is the only way forward as a people.

2. Government Priorities: One way to minimize corruption is for the government to prioritize the following: construction of infrastructure, building of roads or the reconstruction of already damaged roads, the availability of safe drinking water and electricity, good health system, and education, and paying civil servants on time.

Conclusion : There are many ways to combat corruption in Liberia. We mut all be vigilant at all times to weed out corruption.

Saliho Donzo
Rabat Morocco.