Liberia: Rev. Reeves Warns Public Officials Against ‘Nurturing Corruption,’ Blasts Opposition for ‘Deceptive Criticism – FrontPageAfrica

Report on the Address by Rev. Dr. Samuel Reeves on National Governance and Sustainable Development

Introduction

On November 2, Rev. Dr. Samuel Reeves, President of the Liberia Council of Churches (LCC), delivered an address in Monrovia concerning critical issues of national governance, corruption, and political conduct. The speech emphasized that progress toward a stable and prosperous Liberia is contingent upon upholding principles of integrity and unity, directly aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Corruption as a Primary Obstacle to Achieving the SDGs

Impact on SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

Rev. Reeves identified corruption as the principal factor perpetuating poverty in Liberia, a nation endowed with significant natural resources. This observation highlights a direct challenge to the achievement of SDG 1 (No Poverty). The report notes that systemic corruption prevents equitable wealth distribution, thereby undermining progress and exacerbating conditions targeted by SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

A Call for Adherence to SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)

The address served as a strong admonition against the nurturing of corruption by public officials and citizens. Rev. Reeves stressed that national advancement requires a collective commitment to core values that support strong and transparent institutions. This aligns with key targets of SDG 16, including:

• Target 16.5: Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms.
• Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.

He asserted that by embedding faithfulness, unity, and integrity into the national fabric, Liberia could overcome its developmental challenges.

Political Conduct and its Effect on Institutional Stability

The Role of Political Division in Hindering Progress

The report highlights Rev. Reeves’ concern over politically motivated actions intended to destabilize the current administration. He cautioned against two extremes:

1. Undue Sycophancy: Uncritical support that enables poor governance and corruption.
2. Destructive Criticism: Opposition strategies focused on ensuring the government’s failure for political gain.

Such behaviors were identified as detrimental to fostering the peaceful and inclusive society envisioned in SDG 16. He advocated for fair and constructive engagement, where positive achievements are acknowledged and shortcomings are addressed responsibly.

Leadership Accountability and Effective Governance

The Need for Prepared and Responsible Leadership

A significant concern raised was the proliferation of presidential aspirants who lack the requisite preparation and discipline for national leadership. Rev. Reeves described this as a “big-shot problem,” where ambition outweighs competence, leading to poor governance. This critique underscores the importance of capable leadership in steering national strategy towards the successful implementation of all SDGs.

Recommendations for Public Officials and Aspirants

The address concluded with a call for all individuals in or seeking positions of power to adopt a framework of responsible conduct. Key recommendations included:

• Performing all duties with excellence and integrity.
• Demonstrating humility and a commitment to public service.
• Remaining faithful to both national and divine principles.
• Undergoing necessary preparation before seeking higher office.

This framework for leadership is essential for building the institutional capacity required to eradicate corruption and advance Liberia’s sustainable development agenda.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article primarily addresses issues related to two Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: This is the most central SDG in the article. The entire discourse revolves around the need for good governance, integrity, and the fight against corruption to build a stable and prosperous Liberia. Rev. Reeves’ call for public officials to be faithful, his warning against “nurturing corruption,” and his critique of divisive politics all point directly to the goal of building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions. The reference to Liberia’s past of “war and peace” further grounds the discussion in the context of maintaining peace and justice.
• SDG 1: No Poverty: This SDG is explicitly linked to the failure to achieve good governance. The article makes a direct causal connection between corruption and poverty by stating, “If we continue to nurture corruption, we will remain in poverty. We are one of the richest countries in West Africa, but because of corruption, we are still poor.” This highlights that tackling corruption is a prerequisite for poverty eradication in Liberia.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets can be identified:

1. Target 16.5: Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms.
   • Explanation: This is the most explicit target addressed. Rev. Reeves’ sermon is a direct condemnation of corruption. His statements, “If we continue to nurture corruption, we will remain in poverty,” and the concluding plea for faithfulness “so that corruption can perish,” directly align with the objective of this target.
2. Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
   • Explanation: The article emphasizes the need for responsible leadership and integrity within the government. The critique of unprepared presidential aspirants (“too many want the top seat but are not presidential material”) and the call for public officials to “live responsibly and faithfully” and “perform your responsibilities excellently” are calls to build more effective and accountable institutions.
3. Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.
   • Explanation: The article touches upon the political climate, warning against “growing divisions among Liberians.” Rev. Reeves criticizes both “undue sycophancy” and purely “negative criticism,” advocating for a more balanced and fair political discourse where good is acknowledged and bad is pointed out. This promotes a more responsive and inclusive political environment.
4. Target 1.b: Create sound policy frameworks at the national, regional and international levels, based on pro-poor and gender-sensitive development strategies, to support accelerated investment in poverty eradication actions.
   • Explanation: While not stated directly, this target is implied. The article asserts that Liberia is a rich country made poor by corruption. This suggests that the nation’s wealth is not being channeled through sound, pro-poor policy frameworks due to corrupt practices. Eliminating corruption is presented as the necessary step to allow for the effective use of national resources for poverty reduction.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article, being a sermon, does not cite official statistical indicators. However, it implies several qualitative and outcome-based indicators for measuring progress:

• Implied Indicator for Target 16.5 (Reduce Corruption): The prevalence and public perception of corruption. The entire sermon is based on the premise that corruption is a pervasive problem. A reduction in corrupt practices or a positive shift in public perception regarding government integrity would serve as a key indicator of progress. The statement “corruption can perish” sets the goal of its elimination.
• Implied Indicator for Target 16.6 (Accountable Institutions): The integrity and performance of public officials. Rev. Reeves calls for officials to be “faithful,” “humble,” and to perform duties “excellently.” Progress could be measured by the level of professionalism, accountability, and public trust in government officials and institutions.
• Implied Indicator for Target 1.b (Pro-Poor Policies): The national poverty rate. The article uses Liberia’s status as a “poor” nation despite its wealth as the primary evidence of the negative impact of corruption. Therefore, a tangible reduction in poverty would be the ultimate indicator that the country is successfully tackling corruption and implementing effective pro-poor strategies.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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