Monrovia, November 15th, 2024. Liberia stands at a critical juncture in its history. Our country has struggled for years with the challenges of poverty, underdevelopment, and corruption, all of which continue to hinder progress. Yet, instead of rising above these challenges and promoting capable, ethical, and visionary leaders, we see the same discredited individuals being reappointed and recycled into critical government roles—people with tainted records, questionable integrity, and a legacy of failure.
Liberia is therefore at a crossroads. We can either continue down a path of mediocrity, corruption, and stagnation, or we can rise to the challenge of building a nation grounded in justice, integrity, and accountability. The recycling of failed leaders is a direct threat to Liberia’s future, and we cannot afford to stand by in silence.
The recycling of failed and alleged corrupt politicians perpetuates a vicious cycle of underperformance, lack of accountability, and public disillusionment. These individuals, many of whom have been linked to corruption, have shown time and again that they are more concerned with personal enrichment than the well-being of the Liberian people. This practice must end now.
Their continued presence in government undermines public trust. When known or alleged corrupt
individuals are reappointed to key positions, it sends a message that integrity and accountability
are no longer valued. This erodes public confidence in government institutions and fosters a culture
of impunity.
However, Christians in Sierra Leone are heavily been pursued by some political actors leading to the destruction of churches and the violations of human rights.
Their continued presence in government stalls national development. Leaders with track records
of failure are incapable of driving the reforms necessary to address the pressing issues facing
Liberia today. The continued presence of such individuals in leadership roles leaves our country
stuck in a cycle of stagnation.
When these same failed politicians are appointed to represent Liberia at international bodies, it
tarnishes our national image. It diminishes the credibility of Liberia on the global stage, making it difficult for our country to attract meaningful partnerships, investments, or support from international organizations.
The Faith and Justice Network (FJN) calls upon the Government of Liberia and all citizens to take
immediate and decisive action to halt the alarming trend of recycling failed and alleged corrupt politicians into positions of leadership, particularly in roles representing Liberia at international bodies. This practice is a grave disservice to the nation and a betrayal of the sacred trust placed in our public servants by the Liberian people.
We, the Faith and Justice Network Board of Directors, believe in the power of good governance
and integrity. Liberia is rich in human resources, with many competent and qualified individuals who are capable of leading this nation with distinction and honor. It is time to give new, untainted voices an opportunity to contribute to our nation’s development.
The future of Liberia depends on electing and appointing leaders who prioritize the interests of the
people, who are committed to transparency and accountability, and who have the vision to move Liberia forward. We cannot afford to continue recycling individuals whose records are stained with allegations of corruption or failure. We the people of faith, therefore, make the following demands to the Government of Liberia and the Liberian people:
End the practice of recycling failed and alleged corrupt politicians and deal with recommendations
coming from the General Auditing Commission (GAC), Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) and the Civil Servant Commission of Liberia (CSA). The government must stop reappointing individuals with a history of incompetence, corruption, or misconduct to national and international bodies. There must be a renewed focus on appointing leaders with proven integrity and a track record of success in public service
We call on appointing authorities to conduct thorough vetting of candidates for public office: All individuals considered for leadership roles, especially those representing Liberia at international bodies, must undergo laborious vetting processes. This must include an examination of their past records, financial dealings, and any allegations of corruption.
We call on appointing authorities to promote transparency and accountability in government appointments. The process of appointing public officials must be transparent, with the public given an opportunity to scrutinize and hold their leaders accountable. The government must commit to appointing individuals based on merit, competence, and a demonstrated commitment to the national good.
We therefore call on national government to strengthen Anti-Corruption Institutions. Liberia’s
anti-corruption institutions must be empowered and fully funded to carry out their mandates
without political interference. These institutions must continue to play central role in ensuring that
those appointed to leadership positions are free of corruption and misconduct.
We therefore encourage citizens’ participation in governance to the fullest. We call on the Liberian
people to be active participants in the governance process. You are to demand more from your
leaders, refuse to tolerate the recycling of failed politicians, and exercise your democratic rights to
hold leaders accountable without fear or favor.
The Faith and Justice Network implores the government to prioritize the best interests of the nation
over political patronage and self-interest. We call upon the Liberian people to demand leadership
that reflects the values of honesty, dedication, and service to the nation.
The time for change is now. Let us all take a stand to end the recycling of corrupt and ineffective
leaders, and work together to build a Liberia that we can all be proud of—a nation where the
government serves the people with integrity and where justice prevails.
May God bless Liberia and guide us toward a future of righteousness and peace.
