The Joseph Nyuma Boakai (JNB) Foundation, established in 2018, has been under intensifying scrutiny since its founder ascended to the presidency of Liberia. What was once viewed as a charitable organization aimed at improving the lives of Liberians has become a focal point of controversy, raising questions about the blurred lines between philanthropy and political influence.
The foundation's notable increase in public activities and donations since President Boakai took office is at the heart of this growing debate. Anderson D. Miamen, Executive Director of the Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL), has been particularly vocal in his criticism of this shift. Miamen pointedly questioned the foundation's sudden surge in humanitarian efforts, asking, "Why was the foundation practically inactive before his presidency? Who are these so-called donors, and what interests do they serve?"[3]. This sharp increase in the foundation's visibility and activity has sparked concerns about potential conflicts of interest and the use of public resources or political connections for personal gain.
The timing of the foundation's increased activity is particularly noteworthy. As President Boakai transitioned from candidate to head of state, the JNB Foundation simultaneously amplified its public profile. This correlation has not gone unnoticed, with critics like Miamen suggesting that it reflects a continuation of past practices where political figures leverage their positions for personal or partisan advantage [3]. While ostensibly aimed at addressing critical needs in Liberian society, the foundation's expanded reach has paradoxically become a source of controversy, potentially undermining the trust and goodwill it seeks to build.
Furthermore, the foundation's activities have raised questions about transparency and accountability in governance. Miamen argued that donations should be channeled through government agencies to ensure proper oversight and transparency [3]. This suggestion highlights a broader concern about the role of private foundations run by public officials and the potential for these organizations to operate outside the usual channels of governmental accountability.
As the JNB Foundation continues its work amidst this heightened scrutiny, it faces the challenge of demonstrating its independence from political influence while fulfilling its mission of driving "transformative social change" in Liberia [10]. The foundation's ability to navigate these choppy waters will impact its reputation and reflect on President Boakai's commitment to transparent and accountable governance.
Potential Conflicts of Interest
While President Joseph Nyuma Boakai resigned from his position as Chairman of the Board of the JNB Foundation on April 15, 2024, to avoid potential conflicts of interest with his role as President of Liberia, there are indications that his influence may still be impacting the foundation's activities and funding:
1. The new Board Chairman, Pastor David Saa Fatoma Jr., has vowed to keep President Boakai's legacy alive through the foundation's work [3]. This suggests a continued alignment with Boakai's vision and priorities.
2. The foundation has ramped up its activities and public profile since Boakai took office as President [7]. This timing raises questions about whether the foundation is leveraging Boakai's new position for its benefit.
3. At President Boakai's 80th birthday celebration, government officials presented a US$150,000 donation to support the Foundation's ongoing programs[7]. Such a large donation from government officials to a private foundation associated with the sitting president could be considered questionable spending.
4. The foundation's Executive Director, Jackson George, has emphasized expanding services beyond Montserrado County, focusing on healthcare and education in underserved areas [7]. While laudable, this expansion coincides with Boakai's presidency, potentially blurring lines between government and foundation initiatives.
5. The foundation continues to receive significant donations from international sources, such as a company in the UAE [6]. The timing and nature of these donations may raise questions about potential influence-seeking through the foundation.
Foundation's Role in Development
The JNB Foundation's work aligns with some of the development priorities outlined in President Boakai's ARREST agenda, which focuses on areas such as agriculture, education, and sanitation [3]. However, this alignment has led to questions about separating the foundation's activities and government initiatives. A recent donation to the JNB Foundation by Robustrade Inc., a Dubai-UAE-based business group, exemplifies this alignment. The foundation received ten cargo sanitation tricycles, soil-plying equipment, and two modern tractors [3]. These donations directly support two key pillars of the ARREST agenda: agriculture and sanitation. President Boakai acknowledged this connection, stating that the equipment would "enhance activities of local farmers and address urgent sanitation needs across Liberia"[3].
While such initiatives can benefit Liberian communities, they also raise questions about the appropriate boundaries between state-led development efforts and those of a private foundation closely associated with the president. The situation becomes more complex when considering that President Boakai, despite resigning from his position as Chairman of the Board of the JNB Foundation, still appears to be closely involved in its activities. The JNB Foundation and the Liberian government may need to consider implementing more precise guidelines on how the foundation's activities intersect with government initiatives. This could include measures to ensure transparency in funding sources, decision-making processes, and the selection of beneficiaries for the foundation's programs. Such steps would help maintain public trust and ensure that the JNB Foundation's laudable goals do not inadvertently compromise the integrity of governmental processes or create the perception of undue influence.
Public Perception
Some have viewed the foundation's increased activities with skepticism, seeing them as potentially blurring the lines between charitable work and political influence [1][4]. This perception is exacerbated by the broader criticisms of the Boakai administration's performance and transparency issues. Adding to these concerns, the Boakai administration has faced significant criticism for apparent lapses in transparency and accountability. For instance, the administration's handling of the National Security Agency (NSA) budget has drawn parallels to the practices of the previous regime under former President George Weah [4]. Boakai's retraction of his pledge to audit the NSA, citing "sensitivity of operations," has further eroded public trust and fueled suspicions about what might be hidden from public scrutiny. critics argue that the foundation's expanded reach into various sectors of Liberian society, including education, health, and youth empowerment, raises concerns about potential overlap with government initiatives. This overlap could lead to questions about the appropriate boundaries between state-led development efforts and those of a private foundation closely associated with the president [1].
Conclusion
While the JNB Foundation continues its charitable work, the increased scrutiny it faces is mainly due to its association with President Boakai. The foundation's activities, funding sources, and potential conflicts of interest will likely remain under close watch as long as Boakai holds office. The foundation may need to implement more robust transparency measures to address these concerns and delineate its operations from government activities.
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References:
[1] Reflections on Boakai's 100 days in office: A myriad missed ... https://www.theafricareport.com/349161/opinion-boakais-first-100-days-in-office-a-myriad-of-missed-opportunities/
[2] Liberia: FPA Analysis Dissects Potential Members of Incoming President Boakai’s Government https://frontpageafricaonline.com/news/liberia-fpa-analysis-dissects-potential-members-of-incoming-president-boakais-government/
[3] Joseph Nyuma Boakai Foundation – JNBF https://www.jnbf.org
[4] Liberia: Ruling Unity Party's 'Rescue Train' Derailing Amid ... https://frontpageafricaonline.com/editorial/liberia-ruling-unity-partys-rescue-train-derailing-amid-corruption-allegations-governance-lapses/
[5] Boakai made errors - Liberia news The New Dawn Liberia, premier resource for latest news https://thenewdawnliberia.com/boakai-made-errors/
[1] https://ppl-ai-file-upload.s3.amazonaws.com/web/direct-files/40974682/d5cf8cee-cf19-4467-a3c7-feffcd06cff5/paste.txt
[2] https://ppl-ai-file-upload.s3.amazonaws.com/web/direct-files/40974682/c4819e56-0662-480d-9ab6-74fc8b64ec99/paste.txt
[3] https://smartnewsliberia.com/cental-boss-slams-boakai-over-naming-of-lis-training-center-and-business-as-usual-governance/
[4] https://frontpageafricaonline.com/news/liberia-pressure-mounts-on-president-boakai-to-act-against-corrupt-officials-in-up-led-government/
[5] https://www.heritagenewslib.com/heritage/news/news/detail/president-boakai-launches-new-system-to-boost-government-accountability-in-liberia-1627
[6] https://gnnliberia.com/jnb-foundation-highlights-transformative-work-at-president-boakais-80th-birthday-celebration/
[7] https://www.jnbf.org/partners/
[8] https://smartnewsliberia.com/silencing-critics-shielding-failures-the-executives-role-in-undermining-liberias-governance/
[9] https://smartnewsliberia.com/liberian-citizen-critiques-president-boakais-relations-with-rebel-lawmakers/
[10] https://www.jnbf.org
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