Published: October 14, 2026
MONROVIA — The Civil Service Agency (CSA) has announced stricter measures to control government personnel spending ahead of the 2027 National Budget, disclosing that 32 government spending entities failed to participate in mandatory manpower hearings designed to verify staffing requirements and prevent unjustified payroll expenditures.
The agency has submitted its comprehensive Annual Manpower Hearing Report to the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), setting the stage for closer scrutiny of personnel compensation requests as the government moves to finalize its spending priorities for the coming fiscal year.
CSA Director-General Dr. Josiah F. Joekai Jr. disclosed that only 77 of the 109 government spending entities invited to participate in the exercise appeared before the joint technical teams, representing approximately 70.6% of the institutions expected to undergo the assessment.
Speaking at the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing Tuesday, Oct. 13, Joekai said the hearings, conducted from Aug. 18 to Sept. 1 at the CSA headquarters in Congo Town, were intended to ensure that government institutions’ staffing demands correspond with their legal mandates, operational requirements and available national resources.
“The exercise was completed within the established timeline, and the CSA has submitted the comprehensive manpower hearing report to the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning. A total of 109 entities were invited. Hearings were completed for 77 entities, with 32 remaining,” Joekai stated.
The CSA chief explained that the exercise forms part of broader efforts to strengthen public sector workforce management, eliminate unjustified personnel expenditures and ensure that salary allocations in the national budget are supported by verified employment records.
However, with preparations for the 2027 National Budget already at an advanced stage, Joekai said the government would not organize another round of full-scale hearings for the 32 institutions that failed to participate.
Instead, he disclosed that the CSA and MFDP would jointly examine their proposed personnel compensation allocations through the ongoing Executive Budget Hearings.
“Accordingly, the CSA, working closely with the MFDP, will review their (the 32 entities’) proposed personnel compensation envelopes as presented during the ongoing Executive Budget Hearings,” Joekai stated.
According to him, the alternative review mechanism will allow both institutions to determine legitimate staffing requirements and appropriate salary allocations based on established personnel records, budgetary considerations and existing financial controls.
Joekai emphasized that the government would not automatically approve personnel compensation requests merely because they were submitted by spending entities.
He maintained that only compensation requirements validated through the manpower hearings or the approved joint CSA-MFDP review would qualify for consideration in the 2027 National Budget.
The CSA director-general said the measure is intended to prevent unauthorized salary allocations, eliminate inconsistencies between approved staffing structures and budget submissions, and improve accountability in government payroll planning.
The announcement comes as the Boakai administration continues efforts to strengthen public financial management and ensure that government spending reflects verified institutional needs.
Joekai also disclosed that the CSA and MFDP have agreed to significantly reduce extra compensation allocations in the 2027 budget, requiring institutions seeking such provisions to provide sufficient justification.
He explained that the decision is intended to discourage unsupported expenditure requests and ensure that limited public resources are directed toward legitimate staffing needs and priority government services.
According to the CSA chief, the manpower hearing process will strengthen the relationship between approved institutional staffing structures, actual workforce requirements and government compensation expenditures.
He expressed confidence that the exercise would improve budget credibility, reduce unnecessary personnel spending pressures and promote greater fiscal discipline across government institutions.
“Our position is clear: government personnel compensation must be driven by verified manpower needs, institutional priorities, and responsible fiscal management,” he noted.
Joekai commended the leadership and technical teams of the CSA and MFDP for their collaboration in conducting the exercise and preparing the report.
Meanwhile, the CSA has disclosed significant progress in its nationwide pre-retirement counseling and data collection exercise, revealing that approximately 2,042 government employees have been reached and registered across 14 locations.
Joekai said the exercise, scheduled to conclude Friday, Oct. 16, is intended to prepare eligible civil servants for retirement by providing information on documentation, benefits, pension enrollment and the procedures required for a smooth transition from active government service.
He described the initiative as an important intervention aimed at ensuring that retiring public employees receive appropriate guidance and support after years of service to the country.
The CSA director-general further clarified the respective responsibilities of the Civil Service Agency and the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP) in administering retirement-related processes.
According to him, the CSA is responsible for guiding employees through retirement procedures, establishing effective retirement dates, identifying required documentation and explaining the government’s applicable retirement handshake package.
NASSCORP, on the other hand, handles pension registration, verification of employee contributions, completion of the required C1 Form, biometric identification and guidance on pension payments through commercial banks and mobile money services.
Joekai assured retiring civil servants of the government’s commitment to supporting a dignified transition into retirement.
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