CENTAL Hails Liberia’s MCC Progress, Calls for Tougher Anti-Corruption Measures

November 18, 2025:

Monrovia: The Executive Director of the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), Mr. Anderson Miamen, has praised the Government of Liberia for the country’s improved performance on the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) FY2026 Scorecard, while urging authorities to take stronger and more consistent actions against corruption.

Speaking at a press conference in Monrovia, Miamen said Liberia’s passage of 12 out of 22 MCC performance indicators, including the crucial “control of corruption” benchmark, reflects ongoing efforts to strengthen governance.

However, he cautioned that the country’s 56 percent score on the corruption indicator shows that “more institutional, legal, and enforcement-driven reforms” are urgently needed. Miamen noted that Liberia also passed indicators on fiscal policy, inflation, trade policy, gender in the economy, land rights, access to credit, health expenditure, rule of law, immunization rates, and political rights—progress he described as “highly commendable.”

But he emphasized that the country failed 10 indicators, including civil liberties, government effectiveness, natural resource protection, business start-up, employment opportunities, primary education expenditure, girls’ primary education completion, access to justice, child health, and regulatory policy.

 These shortcomings, he said, underscore the urgent need for deeper policy reforms. Warning: Anti-Corruption Gains Still Fragile Miamen highlighted that while Liberia continues to pass the MCC’s control of corruption indicator, the score has declined from 59 in 2024 to 57 in 2025, signaling that progress is “fragile and insufficient.”

He also pointed to declines in fiscal policy, trade policy, and gender in the economy as indicators that governance systems remain weak and require urgent improvement. He referenced other reports including Transparency International’s 2024 Corruption Perception Index and CENTAL’s 2024 State of Corruption Report which show slight improvements in public perception and international corruption rankings.

Still, he stressed that impunity remains high, with many high-profile corruption cases yet to be investigated or prosecuted. Calls for Stronger Political Will and Transparency The CENTAL boss urged the government to demonstrate stronger political will by adequately supporting integrity institutions, ensuring impartial investigations, and establishing the long-awaited specialized court for corruption cases.

He also called for regular audits across all branches of government, not just the Executive. Miamen demanded full transparency on publicly funded projects, including the controversial alleged US$10 million presidential villa project reportedly under construction in President Joseph Boakai’s hometown of Foya.

He stressed that the public must be informed about the project’s funding source, purpose, and ownership. CENTAL Commends Indictments of Former Officials Addressing recent indictments of former government officials, Miamen praised the Asset Recovery and Property Retrieval Taskforce for taking bold steps to hold past leaders accountable.

Those indicted include former Executive Mansion Chief of Protocol Finda Bundoo, former Deputy Foreign Minister for Administration Thelma Duncan-Sawyer, and more than 40 others accused of money laundering, economic sabotage, misuse of public funds, and related crimes.

 He urged the government to fully support the Taskforce to ensure effective prosecution and called for transparency and impartiality by urging investigations into suspicious activities under the current administration as well including the alleged presidential palace project in Foya.

Meanwhile, Executive Director Miamen appealed to leaders across the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches to prioritize transparency and accountability, warning that corruption remains Liberia’s “worst enemy and threat to development.” He reaffirmed CENTAL’s call for greater openness surrounding the Foya project and consistent support to integrity institutions.