By Kruah Thompson
“Diaspora Alert,” a group comprised of Liberian nationals residing abroad, has called on President Joseph Boakai to publicly declare his assets.
In an interview conducted via WhatsApp on Tuesday, 6 February 2024, the chairman of the group, Eric Pervist, said Montserrado County Electoral District #10 Representative Yekeh Kolubah has been accusing President Boakai of receiving bribes from Liberians wanting jobs in his government.
Pervist raised concerns about the US$5000 inaugural money given to each lawmaker to have an inaugural program with their various districts.
At the same time, he questioned the source of funds used by President Boakai to donate money and rice to fire victims of Totota, Lower Bong County, despite informing the Liberian people he was living on loan.
“How come President Boakai is now an overnight humanitarian dashing out thousands of United States dollars and upgrading his house …?” SAID Pervist.
He noted that since his inauguration on 22 January 2024, President Boakai has neither denied nor confirmed Yekeh’s allegation against him.
Diaspora Alert has threatened to embark on a 26-day-hunger strike to pressure President Boakai to fulfill his promise of declaring and publishing his assets, as pledged during his campaign.
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Pervist explained that the duration of 26 days was chosen symbolically to represent the 26 individuals who have held the office of president since the nation’s independence in 1847.
At the same time, Pervist emphasized the need for President Boakai to commit to transparency and accountability, as enshrined in his ARREST platform pillar six, captioned “Fighting Corruption.”
He urged President Boakai to lead by example by declaring and openly publishing his assets.
Meanwhile, the group has called on other Liberians to join in pressuring the president to take action, noting that lawmakers and appointees have already started declaring their assets, but the president allegedly remains hesitant.
