Perception of Corruption in the Liberian Society: An Opinion Poll
Author’s Comments:
We are grateful to everyone who responded to the online survey and/or shared the link with other participants. Perceptions change over time, so we intend to conduct future surveys. We appeal that you kindly assist us whenever we send out a new link. Your participation is important; your views could affect policy decisions in our society. Please note that our surveys are anonymous; we cannot trace your response back to you.
Introduction
The author created this anonymous survey to collect information about perceptions of corruption in the Liberian society. We distributed the Google-form survey online (via WhatsApp and Facebook) between February 22nd and March 24th, 2024.
In earlier surveys, we examined citizens’ views on the audit of the previous government, human rights, and service in government (https://www.liberianobserver.com/liberia-priorities-new-liberian-government-opinion-poll). We also examine perceptions of the free tuition policy and early opinions of the new government (https://thenewdawnliberia.com/liberians-perception-of-the-free-tuition-policy-and-views-of-the-incoming-government-an-opinion-poll/?fbclid=IwAR08D4xmHb55Ks0kYJ1tf7zzE3PKgooMXTeuCChdSL-NVAMTsIOu9ScQcfU).
Limitations
Before presenting the findings, here are limitations: (1) Citizens’ perception is a fluid measure that can change over time depending on prevailing circumstances. The result of the survey reflects current perceptions and could be vastly different in days, weeks, or months from now. (2) The analysis is based on self-reported information. It is quite possible that some respondents did not share their true feelings but provided a socially desirable response. (4) The study used a convenience sample. It is likely that this sample is not truly representative of the population.
Demographics
The survey had 634 respondents. Forty-eight percent (48%) of the respondents were university students, while the rest (52%) were not students (referred to as other members of the society).
Of the university students who responded to the survey, the majority (60%) attended a public university (e.g., the University of Liberia), while the rest (40%) attended private universities. Seventy-four percent (74%) of the university students were females, and 26% were males.
Members of the society reported the following as their highest level of education: 5% attended high school but did not graduate, 5% were high school graduates, 50% earned a bachelor’s degree, 30% earned a master’s degree, and 10% earned a doctorate. Sixty percent (60%) were males, while 40% were females.
Findings
Corruption in Education
This survey section was answered only by respondents who identified as students. When asked if they have experienced corruption, most students (57%) reported they paid an instructor at least once (22% reported one time; 28% reported 2 to 5 times; 7% reported more than five times) to pass a course. Forty-three percent (43%) of the students indicated they never paid an instructor to pass a course.
Eighty-four percent (84%) of the students indicated they were forced to pay for pamphlets or course materials at least once (32% reported once, 21% reported 2 to 5 times, and 31% more than five times) to pass a course. Sixteen percent (16%) indicated they were not forced to buy educational supplements.
Students attending public universities (64%) were more likely to report they paid an instructor to pass a course than students attending private universities (44%). Additionally, all students attending public universities (100%) reported they were forced to pay for a pamphlet or course material to pass. In comparison, 44% of the students attending private universities reported having a similar experience.
Female Students
Forty-three percent (43%) of female students indicated they felt pressured at least once (15% reported once, 14% reported 2 to 5 times,14% reported more than five times) to sleep with a male instructor to earn a passing grade. Further, 43% of female students indicated they failed a course or earned a lower grade at least once (15% reported one time, 21% reported 2 to 5 times, and 7% reported more than five times) because they refused to sleep with a male instructor. Conversely, 57% of female students indicated they have never felt pressured to sleep with an instructor or did not earn a lower grade because of sexual advances.
Females attending private universities (43%) were almost equally likely to report sexual intimidation as females attending public universities (42%).
Corruption in Larger Society
This section of the survey was answered by respondents who identified as members of the society (respondents who were not students). When asked whether they have been forced to pay more money than required to get service from a government institution during the last year, 55 % of respondents reported doing this at least once (10% reported one time, 20% reported 2 to 5 times and 25% reported more than five times). Forty-five percent (45%) of respondents indicated no negative experience with public institutions.
When asked whether they have been forced to pay more money than required to get service from a private institution (e.g., banks, etc.) during the last year, 35 % of the respondents reported doing this at least once (20% reported 2 to 5 times and 15% reported more than five times). Sixty-five percent (65%) of respondents indicated they did not have a negative experience with private institutions.
Job Seekers
Seventy-six percent of the members of society stated they tried looking for a job during the last year. Sixty percent (60) of the job seekers were males and 40% were females.
Forty-seven percent (47%) of job seekers reported they were asked to pay a bribe at least once (15% reported one time, 20% reported 2 to 5 times, and 13% reported more than five times) as a precondition for a job. Fifty-three percent (53%) of job seekers indicated they were never asked to pay a bribe as a precondition for a job. Female respondents (51%) were more likely to report being asked to pay a bribe than male respondents (44%).
Female Job Seekers
While 83% of female job seekers did not report sexual advances from potential male employers, 17% indicated that a potential male employer demanded sexual favors as a precondition to giving them a job.
Corruption Confidence Perception
This section of the survey was answered by all respondents (students and members of the society). Respondents were asked to indicate their level of agreement (strongly disagree, disagree, agree, strongly agree) with statements about categories of leaders in the Liberian society.
Thirty-one percent (31%) agreed (23%) or strongly agreed (8%) that their community leaders would not engage in corruption. Forty-six percent (46%) agreed (22%) or strongly agreed (24%) that their immediate family members (parents, children, brothers, and sisters) would not engage in corruption. Of the respondents with a job, 37% agreed (29%) or strongly agreed (8%) that their supervisor would not engage in corruption.
Respondents had a lower opinion of their elected representative and senator. Just 18% agreed (10%) or strongly agreed (8%) that their representative would not engage in corruption. Additionally, only 20% agreed (10%) or strongly agreed (10%) that their senator would not engage in corruption.
Respondents had relatively higher opinions of their spiritual leaders (pastors, imams, etc.) and the President. While three percent (3%) indicated they did not have any religious affiliation, 74% agreed (28%) or strongly agreed (46%) that their spiritual leader would not engage in corruption. Over half of the respondents (51%) agreed (33%) or strongly agreed (18%) that the President would not engage in corruption.
About the Author
Chris Tokpah is the Associate Vice President for Institutional Effectiveness at Delaware County Community College in PA. He holds a Ph.D. in Program Evaluation and Measurement, an MBA (with emphasis in Management Information Systems), and a B.Sc. in Mathematics. He is an Adjunct Professor of Research Methods and Statistics (Ph.D. program) at Delaware Valley University and an independent consultant. He has participated in or supervised baseline studies and evaluations sponsored by the World Bank, IDA, Geneva Global, USAID, and ADB. His email address is ctokpah@kent.edu.
Chris Tokpah, Ph.D.
Independent Consultant
